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:
Short hair
Thick, course or very kinky hair:
What is your experience with air drying?
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.
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?
Heather @ Neno Natural
18/2/2013 12:57:52 am
Hi Boipelo,
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
Heather @ Neno Natural
18/2/2013 01:01:34 am
Hey Josephine,
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.
Heather @ Neno Natural
18/2/2013 01:02:58 am
Wow, it sounds like your hair "listens"! You're so lucky :) 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.
Heather @ Neno Natural
10/4/2013 03:17:47 am
Sounds like you take great care of your hair, well done.
Heather @ Neno Natural
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
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. Comments are closed.
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By Heather Katsonga-Woodward
I was a natural hair blogger and mixtress living between London & Chicago from 2012 to 2017. I always thought I was 4C but some say 4B; images below - you decide! Heather xx Categories
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