Are there any disadvantages to air drying natural hair?

6/2/2013

Overall, air drying natural hair is the safest option. You can't get heat damage from the hair, however, some air drying methods are better than others!

I don't have a loose curl pattern. I have kinky 4C hair on 80% of my head except for the back where it is actually wavy, it's not curly at all.

I did my first wash and go in December 2012, roughly 18 months into my natural journey. When my hair was wet it was easy to moisturise and seal but by the next day my hair had shrunk very, very tightly and it was more tangled than usual.

Remember that the chances for incurring breakage are highest when you're detangling very tangled hair. There's no point in keeping hair healthy by air drying and then incurring breakage due to the resulting tangles!

My conclusion is that air drying hair that hasn't been styled into twists or plaits is not the best option for thick, course kinky hair. It makes handling the hair much harder two or three days later.

So, what is the best way to air dry?

Loose curls and fine hair:

You can easily wash and go with no requirement to style the hair while it's drying.

Short hair

Corn row the hair

Thick, course or very kinky hair:

Plait, two-strand twist or bantu knot the hair. The resulting curl pattern is different depending on what you go for
Use hair rollers or curl formers - I haven't tried this but this is what I plan on doing once I take my current braids out.
Band your hair using hair bands in as in the image.

What is your experience with air drying?

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Brandy link

6/2/2013 01:36:54 am

I also learnt early on that 4C does not do wash and go's! I tried it once and it shrunk into a one inch mass which refused to accept any styling manipulation. I ended up just washing it again 2 days later to detangle and stretch it out easier. smh. I now use the 2 strand twist air drying method. Works well for me.

Chante'

9/2/2013 12:10:41 am

I agree. Air drying is best especially in those months when your hair has a tendency to be dry. For me winter. But if you don't want to wet it and start over everyday. (Not an option in bellow freezing weather) It is definitely best with kinkier hair to braid or twist to avoid tangling. Try the different options to determine what works best. Know that while you may settle on twist now, in 3 months braids might give you a look you like better.

Heather @ Neno Natural

18/2/2013 12:55:36 am

That's true Chante'. Depending on the hair type sometimes twists look better and sometimes plaits.

I used to prefer plaits, because I thought they stretch my hair better but I realise now that if I make the twists much smaller they can be more effective.

Heather

Nina

12/2/2013 03:17:34 am

I always air dry. When I do, it is usually in the 2 strand twists. The Bantu knots don't turn out the way I like them, but I have only tried once.

latifah

12/2/2013 03:26:19 am

Me personally I don't have any issues

Boipelo Tselapedi

12/2/2013 03:32:00 am

How about short kinky course hair? I spray with water everyday before moisturizing... Good or bad?

18/2/2013 12:57:52 am

Hi Boipelo,

I have kinky 4C hair on most of my head. When it was short I used to plait cornrows to stretch my hair then I'd finger style in the morning. Once you get used to it it takes no more than 15 to 20 minutes.

When I got tired of that I plaited my hair in kinky twists to give myself a break.

Heather xx

Phaedra

12/2/2013 05:06:05 pm

My hair is thick and kinky in the top and front and wavy in the back. When I air dry I just do the 2 strand twists and it works out wonderfully. There is less breakage and damage and you get the full effect of the natrual hair style

Josephine Lee

12/2/2013 07:48:24 pm

If I air dry my hair just shrinks into a ball. If I blow dry no matter how much I moisturize I can not get my hand through it. I am getting so frustrated it is driving me crazy. I condition and if I do a twist out I can't even keep it loose for the night I have to detangle by time I wake up. UGHHHH

18/2/2013 01:01:34 am

Hey Josephine,

Air drying without twists or plaits can lead to massive shrinkage indeed.

And yes, you have to twist almost every night to avoid shrinkage and matting. As your hair gets longer you'll be able to get away with just 4 or 6 twists at night and that doesn't take long at all.

Try doing smaller twists. Sometimes they stretch the hair for longer without needing to redo them.

Good luck and don't give up!
Heather xx

Joy

13/2/2013 12:59:48 pm

I love air drying I haven't dried my hair under a drier in 7 years. It's easier for me to air dry after co washing and moisturing I make about 8 twist and let it be.

18/2/2013 01:02:58 am

Wow, it sounds like your hair "listens"! You're so lucky :)

Heather x

Kaylee (케일리) link

9/4/2013 12:48:20 pm

I always air dry my hair! I wash my hair in braids, pin them in a style that keeps the braids stretched. And I let them air dry in that style for the next few days. Take them down and unbraid for the weekend. Keeps it simple for me during the week!! My hair has benefited in length because of the low manipulation.

10/4/2013 03:17:47 am

Sounds like you take great care of your hair, well done.

Karen link

15/6/2013 11:28:07 pm

I don't like air drying cause my hair turns really tangled and hard to comb so there for I used to dry it with a dryer. But since I found out it does more harm than good I use cool air but now I'm going to start to do the rubber band

17/6/2013 06:25:01 am

Air dry in twists or plaits to prevent re-tangling of hair that was detangled during a wash

Best,
Heather

Diane

24/8/2013 01:12:12 am

After the conditioning phase of my wash regimen, I braid my hair in sections in the shower while the water runs through it and let it air dry. Then when it's almost dry I take them out one at a time and moisturize with butter (mango and shea) and oil mix, re-braid and let dry. Gives a nice stretch and is very easy to comb and style.

paula

24/8/2013 02:20:11 am

I stopped trying to control my hair. I wash/condition it 2-3 times a week or spray it with water. yes I have mad shrinkage but oh well that's my hair. Put a shea butter base hair butter, massage my hair with it, clip my air on the sides and off I go.

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Are there any disadvantages to air drying natural hair?

By Heather Katsonga-Woodward

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