How to Dry Your Hair Fast

Co-authored by Ndeye Anta Niang

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 References

Drying your hair can be a lengthy process, especially if you have long, thick hair that requires more effort to style, and it can get even more difficult when you’re pressed for time. There are several ways to dry your hair faster than usual, including using conditioner and hairspray, blow-drying in sections and using a ceramic brush, and blotting with a microfiber towel, which can wick away excess moisture and accelerate the drying process.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Getting Rid of Excess Water in Your Hair

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Wide-tooth combs separate your hair and promote better airflow, which will help you get rid of the excess water in your hair. ^{[1]
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Research source} Combing your hair before you blow dry it helps your hair from tangling.
2
Wring or shake out your hair before stepping out of the shower. This speeds up the drying process and prevents your hair from being soaking wet immediately following a shower.
- Separate your hair into multiple sections and squeeze each section to wring out excess water.
- Flip your head upside down and run your fingers through your hair to shake out droplets of water.
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3
Blot your hair using a microfiber towel. Microfiber towels are soft and very absorbent, and can soak up more water than other towels without damaging your hair cuticles. ^{[2]
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- Separate your hair into multiple sections and blot each section using a dry towel for the best results.
Nicky Clarke, Hair Stylist

To dry hair like a hairdresser, start by towel-drying it until it's damp. Then, divide your hair into sections and use a round brush to dry each section, working from the roots to the ends. Hold the brush vertically and apply heat from the roots to the ends, moving the brush in a smooth, sweeping motion. Finish by using a cool shot of air to set your style.
4
Use paper towels if you don’t have a microfiber towel. Paper towels can soak up more water than regular towels while preventing frizz. Use several paper towels to soak up the water in your hair. Don’t forget to recycle them when you’re done! ^{[3]
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- Long, thick hair may require more paper towels than short and/or thin hair.
5
Wrap your hair in a towel turban. Wearing a towel turban while getting ready allows the towel to absorb excess water and moisture from your hair. Tilt your head forward so that you're facing the floor. Position your towel at the back of your neck horizontally and start draping your hair with both of your hands. Twist the towel gently, not too tightly, and lift your head back up to its original position. ^{[4]
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- Replace it with a new towel when your existing towel turban becomes heavy and wet.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Using Hair Products for a Faster Dry

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1
Treat your hair with conditioner while bathing. Conditioner locks in moisture and helps repel water to prevent your hair from absorbing more water than necessary following a bath or shower. Apply conditioner, mostly focusing on the ends of your hair, and rinse after a few minutes.
- You can also use a leave-in conditioner for anti-frizz and a shiny look as well as a faster dry. ^{[5]
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2
Use hair products that say “blow-dry” or “quick dry” on their label. Many commercial hair products such as lotions and primers now contain heat-conducting substances that wick moisture away from your hair. Apply these products to your hair as directed, prior to blow-drying or air-drying your hair, and distribute them evenly on your head. ^{[6]
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- Don’t apply any products until your hair is towel-dried and the excess water is soaked. ^{[7]
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Normally, it’s not advised to use products with alcohol since they can make your hair dry, but if you’re really in a rush and your hair is still wet, try using a hairspray or mousse that has some alcohol content—it will help you hair dry faster. ^{[8]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Blow-Drying Your Hair

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Ionic hair dryers can help smooth your hair better and prevent frying. Choose stronger ones with a wattage of at least 2000 to speed up the drying process as much as possible. ^{[9]
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2
Blow-dry your hair outside of the bathroom. It might come naturally to blow-dry your hair in the bathroom but the after-shower steam won’t be helpful for drying it fast. Consider moving to your bedroom or another room to avoid dampness in the air and accelerate the drying process. ^{[10]
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- As an alternative, open up the bathroom window and let the steam evaporate for a few minutes before you blow-dry your hair.
Prior to using a brush during blow-drying, use your fingers as a comb and toss your hair from one side to the other. Keep doing this rough-drying method for 50 to 75 percent of the time, and then switch to a brush. To dry your hair like a pro, dry upwards for more volume, and downwards for smooth and glossy hair. ^{[11]
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A microfiber brush has the ability to absorb moisture while you brush, and a ceramic round-barreled brush can conduct the heat coming from the dryer onto your hair strands while also shaping them nicely. Such brushes with fewer bristles than regular ones also allow for more airflow. ^{[12]
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5
Divide your hair into four sections for increased efficiency. Although this may sound like a lot of work, it actually helps you dry your hair more efficiently and effectively instead of handling all of your hair at once. Once you section your hair in four, hold three of the sections in place with clips. ^{[13]
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- Working in manageable sections is beneficial for nearly all styling techniques, not just drying hair.
This prevents the top layers from soaking up excess water after they’ve already dried, especially when combing or brushing your hair. Flip your head over, then blow-dry the bottom layers before moving on to the top layers.
The ends of your hair often dry faster than its roots, which tend to finish drying last. While blow-drying your hair, focus on the roots, although you should try to avoid keeping the dryer at one place and frying your hair.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Is it better to air dry your hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Air drying is best for the health of your hair. You can minimize the damage of a hair dryer by using a low heat setting, applying a thermal protectant before you dry, and keeping the dryer moving while you work.

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Question

How can I let my hair air dry without getting frizzy?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Detangle gently, apply a bit of leave in conditioner and a dab of styling cream, then leave it alone. Touching your hair while it dries leads to frizz.

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Question

Why is my hair so weak? It falls out a lot. Any suggestions?

Community Answer

Use argan oil, only a little bit on the ends of your hair. Hair masks are also super helpful when it comes to weak hair.

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Consider using dry shampoo if you need to wash your hair and you’re running short on time. Dry shampoo refreshes your scalp by soaking up sweat and minimizing grease without the need for water. ^{[14]
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Who says you have to dry your hair with hot air? Try blow drying with your blowdryer’s cool setting to prevent heat damage.

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Always use a heat protectant when drying your hair to protect your natural locks from the heat.

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Warnings

Avoid blow-drying your hair when its strands are soaking wet, since this can lead to hair damage and dry, frizzy hair. Always blot your hair dry using a towel before using a hair dryer.

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How to Dry Your Hair Fast

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Getting Rid of Excess Water in Your Hair

Using Hair Products for a Faster Dry

Blow-Drying Your Hair

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