SUBSCRIBE
  • Home
  • Watch
  • 2024 Event
    • General Info
    • Presenters & Speakers
    • Tickets
    • Get in Touch
    • FAQ
  • Shop
Home • Growth

Is Blow-Drying Your Transitioning Hair A No-No?

Share this Article
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
Is Blow-Drying Your Transitioning Hair A No-No?
By Sabrina Perkins · Updated September 1, 2015
Photo Courtesy of Getty Images
Transitioning hair is neither easier nor harder but merely a different way to leave chemical straighteners in your past and embrace a more natural method of hair care. Women who choose to transition are usually on the hunt for hairstyles and methods to make working with two textures easier. Damaging their strands is also high on the list of what not to do, so it comes as no surprise that many are leery on some popular straightening methods. Tanya.Bryant posed her question on our Curly Q&A section, and while she may not be transitioning, these tips can help her decrease the potential for thermal damage.

Question

I am 6 months natural. Am I supposed to let my hair air-dry now only or can I still blow-dry it?

Answer

Air-drying is always going to be less damaging than blow-drying. The combination of heat and tension with a comb attachment or brush can cause breakage along the hair shaft, especially at the line of demarcation. If blow-drying better enables you to style your hair, then try incorporating the steps below to protect your hair from further damage, as transitioning hair is fragile.

Deep condition

After cleansing your hair make sure to deep condition. Never skip deep conditioning when you cleanse your hair, as it moisturizes and strengthens the hair. Moisturizing treatments should always be done prior to any type of heat-styling or manipulation to your hair.

Heat protectant

Apply a heat protectant prior to using any thermal tools. Heat protectants are usually formulated with silicones, which coat the hair and reduce the potential for damage. Using a thermal protectant might not be necessary if you are only using cool air for your blow-dryer, but it is still necessary if you decide to straighten.

Read more: Heat Protectants: This Buildup Actually Saves Your Hair

Lowest setting
Article continues after video.

Use the lowest or the coolest setting on your blow-dryer. Heat on transitioning hair can be the enemy, as it can rob your hair of moisture and may cause damage. To minimize that make sure you are using the lowest setting that will allow you to still blow-dry effectively without harming your curls. You can have a beautiful blow-out that is not bone straight, which is great if you love volume.

No high heat
APRILSKIN Pink Aloe Facial Polish Cleanser
Amazon
APRILSKIN Pink Aloe Facial Polish Cleanser
SHOP NOW
Top Product.
Briogeo Style + Treat™ Dry Shampoo Puff
Briogeo
Briogeo Style + Treat™ Dry Shampoo Puff
SHOP NOW
Holler & Glow 12 Days of Self Care 12 Piece Masking Set
Target
Holler & Glow 12 Days of Self Care 12 Piece Masking Set
SHOP NOW
Lanolips Day & Night Lip Minis
Lanolips
Lanolips Day & Night Lip Minis
SHOP NOW
Ruby Kisses Lip Oil Booster
Amazon
Ruby Kisses Lip Oil Booster
SHOP NOW
Melanie Mills Hollywood Gleam Body Radiance
Amazon
Melanie Mills Hollywood Gleam Body Radiance
SHOP NOW
Catrice Under Eye Brightener
Amazon
Catrice Under Eye Brightener
SHOP NOW
Curlsmith  Shake + Shine
Amazon
Curlsmith Shake + Shine
SHOP NOW

Watch the temperature. This can be gaged by the current condition of your hair. Is your hair coarse, fine, color-treated, or damaged? The finer and more damaged the strands, the lower the temperature. If you are straightening, then the rule of thumb is usually nothing over 350 degrees. Coarser (not tighter”> textures can usually resists higher temperatures, but it should be monitored.

How To Blow Dry Transitioning Hair | Tension Method

JourneyToWaistLength gives a quick and easy way to successfully blow-dry your transitioning hair using the tension method on a cool setting. This gives her braid-out a uniform look from the relaxed and natural hair despite their very different textures. It is a great way to stave off tangles, dry your hair quickly and keep a gorgeous look for up to a week or longer.

These tips can be used by everyone who wants to limit their chances of heat damage, especially transitioners. Transitioning is a beautiful journey and we just want it to be positive and productive.

Read More

How Donni Davy Built Half Magic By Following Her Intuition
Beauty
How Donni Davy Built Half Magic By Following Her Intuition
Our Favorite Beauty Looks From The 2025 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards
Beauty
Our Favorite Beauty Looks From The 2025 ESSENCE Black Women ...
Ask A Stylist: Color Combos To Try During Your Winter Arc
Curly
Ask A Stylist: Color Combos To Try During Your Winter Arc
How Growing Up as a Black Man Shaped My Relationship with My Curls
Curly
How Growing Up as a Black Man Shaped My Relationship with My...
A Step-By-Step Guide To Creating Peekaboo Highlights With Clip-Ins
Shop
A Step-By-Step Guide To Creating Peekaboo Highlights With Cl...
Company Information
  • Customer Service
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
Subscribe
  • Newsletters
FOLLOW US
  • Home
  • Watch
  • 2024 Event
    • General Info
    • Presenters & Speakers
    • Tickets
    • Get in Touch
    • FAQ
  • Shop