Which hair dryer should you choose? This is an important question not only for hairdressers, but also anyone with long hair. The ideal choice will not only dry your hair, but also help with styling. Read our article and find out which hair dryer will be best in a hair salon and which at home.
Which hair dryer should you choose? This is an important question not only for hairdressers, but also anyone with long hair. The ideal choice will not only dry your hair, but also help with styling. Read our article and find out which hair dryer will be best in a hair salon and which at home.
Types of hair dryers
In order to choose the best hair dryer you should start off by determining what type of hair dryer you really need. There are several different types available, so you should get to know your options before making a decision.
Hair dryers for home use
Hair dryers for home use are definitely the most popular, designed with everyday use in mind. They usually have a basic range of regulation and functions, which we shall take a closer look at later in this article. They are also convenient for using with one hand.
Hair salon dryers and hooded dryers
Hair salon dryers are intended for professional use. They have much better parameters than models for home use, as well as more functions to protect your hair and making styling easier. Their design is similar to the previously described type.
Hooded dryers, also called helmet dryers, are yet another type mainly used in hair salons. They got their name from their shape, which resembles a hood or a helmet. They are attached to a height-adjustable tripod, often equipped with a base with wheels for more convenient use. Helmet dryers are used in salons offering professional hair treatments such as curling, dyeing and waving.
Travel hair dryers
Travel dryers are smaller versions of standard hair dryers. They often foldable, so they don’t take up much space in a suitcase or bag. Their main function is drying hair, so they usually don’t have any additional functions or nozzles, although there are also some more advanced versions of travel dryers.
Hotel hair dryers
Hotel hair dryers are intended for use in bathrooms in hotels, hostels and B&B. Their main difference is that they are placed in a base that is mounted to the wall and connected to the dryer with a cable, to prevent potential theft. They may also have additional sockets for connecting a shaver or a hair straightener. Hotel dryers are intended for guests who did not bring their own dryer.
What should you pay attention to when choosing a hair dryer? Features and specifications
You should now know what type of hair dryer you are looking for, so let’s move on to comparing the features and specifications. This is important when choosing a specific model. However, which aspects should you pay attention to when looking for the perfect hair dryer?
How much power should the ideal hair dryer have?
Power is the most important technical specification of such equipment, and determines both how quickly the dryer will dry your hair, as well as the maximum blowing speed. You will find models with as much as 2100 watts! But how much will be ideal?
It all depends on what kind of hair you have. Quicker drying is generally healthierm because prolonged exposure to hot air can damage your hair, so the shorter the drying time, the better. People with short hair will find a power range of 1100-1500 watts sufficient, but if you have longer and thicker hair, a more powerful model will be better.
Temperature and airflow control
Adjusting the temperature and blowing speed is one of the most basic functions of a good hair dryer. The first option lets you set the temperature of the blown air, while the second one lets you to determine the power level.
Temperature control comes in handy when dealing with dry and brittle hair. As already mentioned, prolonged exposure to hot air can damage your hair, so drying them at a slightly lower temperature can help avoid this.
Depending on the model, the temperature range can be changed by switching or sliding a button. The adjustment range may also vary. For example, some dryers only have two speed levels, while others may have as many as six.
Hair dryer power cords
Many people forget to check the length of the power cord when choosing a hair dryer, but it should be long enough to allow the user to freely use the dryer while standing in front of the mirror. You should also check if the cord at the connection to the hair dryer is flexible. This solution prevents the cable from twisting and gives additional room for more convenient use.
Ionic hair dryers
Ionic hair dryers are a popular option. They give off a negative ionic charge during use, which neutralises static energy, making it easier to style your hair and leaving it more shiny and smooth.
The cold air function in hair dryers
As the name suggests, this function makes the dryer blow out cold air, which is useful after styling. It smoothens hair cuticles, giving them a shiny effect.
The material of the hair dryer
When wondering which hair dryer to choose, many people compare the material they are made of. Special technology is used to additionally increase their functionality. Dryers can have different material finished, incl. ceramic, keratin or tourmaline.
Ceramic hair dryers
Ceramic hair dryers evenly distribute heat, which prevents your hair from heating up too much and getting damaged. In addition, ceramic dryers let the heat better penetrate your hair, thus protecting its surface.
Tourmaline hair dryers
Tourmaline dryers have a similar purpose to ionic dryers, producing anions that neutralise static energy. This technology is relatively new, and tourmaline dryers is still quite rare.
Keratin hair dryers
Keratin hair dryers have special elements soaked in keratin, which is one of the building blocks of hair. During drying, this component is released and penetrates inside your hair, making it more flexible and stronger. Keratin also prevents excessive hair loss.
Hair dryer accessories
In addition to the features and specifications, additional accessories that make it easier to style your hair can also impact your decision. Different types of hair dryers come with different accessories. Here are some of the most useful ones:
- a concentrator – a long, narrow nozzle that focuses the air stream and directs it to selected strands of hair,
- a diffuser – a bowl-shaped attachment that disperses the flow of air from the dryer, used to lift the hair at the roots and add volume, mainly to curly hair,
- straightening attachment – allows you to straighten and dry your hair at the same time.
A special round hairbrush can also come in handy, making it easier to both dry and model your hair.
Which hair dryer will be best for a hair salon?
When considering which hair dryer will work best in a hair salon, you should have your customers’ interest in mind. This is important, because by properly taking care of their hair you will gain their trust, and therefore repeated business. So which hair dryer should you choose?
You should definitely pay attention to the power output. Professional equipment should be as powerful as possible, which will significantly shorten the drying time. This is important for two reasons. Firstly, your customers’ hair is not exposed to hot air for too long, and secondly, you will be able to serve more customers during the day.
Professional hair dryers should also have a wide range of airflow and temperature regulation, letting you adapt the device to the type of hair and treatment. Another parameter worth paying attention to is the noise emission of the hair dryer. Ideally, this should be as low as possible, so as not to irritate your customers while drying their hair.
A hair dryer for a hair salon should also have most of the previously described functions, such as ionisation eliminating frizz, and cold air for smoother hair. You could also have a few various models made of different materials. This way you will be able to choose the right dryer depending on the condition of your customer’s hair. Professional equipment should also have additional nozzles and attachments for various purposes, such as curling or straightening.
A hair dryer is not the only basic piece of equipment needed in a hair salon. You will also need appropriate furniture to professionally offer your services. While on the topic, we encourage you to read our next article on which hair salon chair to choose.
Which hair dryer should you choose – summary
Which hair dryer you should choose depends on many factors. First of all, you should ask yourself what type of device you need – for home use, traveling or using in a hair salon. You should then compare the technical parameters and functions of particular models. At this stage, you should also consider what hair type you will mainly be using the dryer with, which will help you choose the most appropriate model. You should now know which hair dryer will meet your expectations.
Do you want to set up your own salon offering not only hair treatments, but also for the entire body? Check out our article on opening a health & beauty salon and find out how to set up such a business.
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