How Does A Hair Dryer Work?
Last Updated on by Daniel Lawrence
Hairdryers as the name implies are for your hair. Unlike the common review that states that hair dryers are only owned by hair cosmetologists, hairdryers can actually be owned by anyone. We’ll discuss in this guide why you need a hairdryer for your use alone.
What Is A Hair Dryer?
A hairdryer, hairdryer, or blow dryer is an electromechanical device that blows ambient or hot air over damp hair to speed the evaporation of water to dry the hair. Blow dryers enable better control over the shape and style of hair, by accelerating and controlling the formation of temporary hydrogen bonds within each strand.
These bonds are powerful (allowing stronger hair shaping than the sulfur bonds formed by permanent waving products) but are temporary and extremely vulnerable to humidity. They disappear with a single washing of the hair.
Hairstyles using blow dryers usually have volume and discipline, which can be further improved with styling products, hairbrushes, and combs during drying to add tension, hold and lift.
Blow dryers were invented in the late 19th century. The first, stationary, model was created by Alexander F. Godefroy in his salon in France. The handheld, household hair dryer first appeared in 1920. Blow dryers are used in beauty salons by professional stylists and in the household by consumers.
Types of hair dryers
Basically, the working of a hairdryer is a simple concept – the fan in the hairdryer pushes the cool air towards the heating element (coil) and the air gets heated because of the heating element and blows outside the concentrator nozzle of the hairdryer.
Many of us won’t look at the material of the hairdryer, but it’s very important to know about the material used in your hairdryer is suitable for your hair or not. Let’s look into the types of hair dryers, there are four most commonly used heating methods of hair dryers.
- Ionic hairdryer
- Ceramic or porcelain hairdryer
- Tourmaline hairdryer
- Titanium hairdryer
- Ionic Hair Dryer
In Ionic technology, several negatively charged ions are generated when the air passes through the electric current in the metallic coil (nichrome wire). Then these negatively charged ions help in breaking down the positively charged water molecules and dries the hair without removing the moisture and making the hair smooth and silky.
Ionic hair dryers can have any heating material like nichrome, ceramic. In other words, ionic hair dryers can be a combination of ceramic, titanium, or tourmaline. The advantage of the ionic hairdryer is, these hair dryers are a time saver as they help in drying the hair quickly. These hair dryers produce negatively charged ions which break the water molecules and seal the cuticles such that the moisture in your hair gets locked.
Ionic hair dryers are not suitable for styling, it does not give any volume or bounce to your hair. These dryers are not suitable for thin and short hair types.
- Ceramic Hair Dryer
Ceramic hair dryers are different from ionic hair dryers. Here, in ceramic hair dryers, the heating material is made of ceramic clay or porcelain material. Unlike the metallic material, the ceramic material provides an even heat such that ceramic hair dryers do not damage your hair.
Ceramic hair dryers emit infrared heat, which penetrates your hair shaft and locks the moisture within the hair. Ceramic hair dryers also emit negatively charged ions along with the hot air.
The advantage of ceramic hair dryers is, it gets heated up very quickly and provides you even heat at the end of nozzle surface or diffuser surface. In ceramic hair dryers, the ceramic clay is generally used on any of the internal parts of the hairdryer, some hairdryer uses ceramic heating element. Such that the heat formed in the dryer becomes even because of this ceramic clay.
Ceramic hair dryers are suitable for both styling and drying any type of hair, making it shinier, smoother, and silky. People who dry hair frequently can choose a ceramic-type hairdryer. There is a lot of confusion on what to choose, ionic or ceramic hairdryer. For more knowledge read our post difference between ionic and ceramic hairdryer.
- Tourmaline Hair Dryer
Tourmaline technology is another technology used in hair dryers. Tourmaline is a multi-colored mineral basically, a gemstone. Tourmaline is a pyroelectric and piezoelectric mineral, such that when any force is applied to this mineral it generates an electric charge.
Tourmaline mineral emits both negatively charged ions and infrared heat, making it an ionic and infrared dryer. Basically, tourmaline minerals can be used in the manufacturing of strong ionic hairdryers or infrared hairdryers.
The advantage of tourmaline hairdryers is, these hair dryers are more effective and quicker than other ionic or ceramic hair dryers. The tourmaline mineral is crushed into small molecules and used in internal body parts of the hairdryer or sometimes this tourmaline powder is used on the heating element.
Tourmaline hair dryers are more safe hairdryers, these dryers generate heat very gently and equally, such that the hair gets heat safe and gets less damaged.
Tourmaline hair dryers are 50 percent faster than ionic and ceramic hair dryers. Tourmaline hair dryers are best suitable for thick and frizzy hair, but not good enough for thin and short hair.
- Titanium Hair Dryer
Titanium hair dryers are another type of hairdryer, where the heating coil is made of titanium metal. Titanium hair dryers are much quicker than ionic, ceramic, or tourmaline hair dryers. Titanium hair dryers are not safe for thin and small hairs as the heat temperature generated from these hair dryers may harm your hair. Titanium hair dryers are considered lightweight hairdryers, mostly these types of hair dryers are manufactured by the Conair company.
How does a Hair Dryer Work?
- Principle
Normally, evaporation is controlled by relative humidity — the ratio of the amount of water the air holds to the amount it could hold. For example, if the relative humidity is 90%, that means that the air is holding 90% of its maximum volume of water.
When air is heated, its relative humidity decreases. It still has the same amount of water, but it can hold more. The lower the relative humidity, the more easily water evaporates. Therefore, hot air will dry your hair faster, since the water in your hair will evaporate more quickly.
- How Does a Hair Dryer Work?
The two important components of a hairdryer are the electric fan and the heating element. The heating element is made out of nichrome wire, which is a resistor. A resistor resists the flow of electric energy, turning it into heat energy. In a hair drier, the air blows past the resistor, absorbing heat as it passes. Electric hair dryers work by blowing room temperature air in through the vents.
The air then passes over nichrome wire coils that heat it, making it able to blow the hair dry with hot air. The process of air blowing on the hair speeds up water evaporation. Applying power to the hairdryer allows the motor to start spinning the fan inside, and that is what draws the air in through small air holes on the side of the dryer.
Benefits of hairdryer
These days, you need not book an appointment at your salon, all the things you want are here right in your dressing room. Hairdryers have become an essential part of people’s lives, and when it comes to styling your hair, you are the expert. Some benefits of a hairdryer are.
- A hairdryer is Money Saver
There is one thing for sure; no appointment with your hairdresser means no expenses to spend on hair styling options. Let’s not forget how much time a visit costs you. This is the reason why hair dryers are the most preferred option for smart people.
- Hairdryers lighten the hair
A blow of heat now and then is suitable for your hair; it also keeps your smooth and light if you have a thick hair problem. Hairdryers are most beneficial if you have curly hair and thick hair as the blowing right after the shower gets them to straighten better. You can follow any grooming style for you afterward.
- Decreases Drying Time
Another problem with thick, long hair is the drying time. You would not want to get stuck with drying for hours. This is the reason that lets you open your drawer right on time and do it within a minute or two. A hairdryer evaporates water and moisture faster than usual or conventional methods hence cutting your drying time almost to 3/4th.
- Blow drying is the base of grooming
Grooming experts admit the fact that treating the hair with heat always makes the process easy. You can turn and twist the hair in the direction. Not only is blow drying your hair a great way to de-frizz, but it lays the groundwork for some products that can shape your hair only if it’s entirely dry. Using a blow dryer also helps you cut downtime in your grooming routine. Blow drying your hair can take less than a minute, whereas air drying can take significantly longer.
- A hairdryer is also suitable for Pets
Yes, a hairdryer can be a marvelous and effective aid for your pets’ hair, as well. It is as hard for them to dry their fur as it is easy for you. If you have a furry pet, don’t think this time and give a soft blow-dry to your favorite friend this time warm and cozy. Just put the heat settings too low and keep it distant from your pet.
- Other Advantages of Hair Dryer
Now, if you wonder how many ways a hairdryer can be beneficial, here is to help you spot some fixable things. You can demist your bathroom mirror, dry your clothing stuff after a wash, blow-dry your personal care stuff like nail paint or toothbrush, and unfreeze your frozen food faster.
CONCLUSION
Everything is harmful if used excessively; it is not entirely dangerous to blow-drying your hair. But consider blow-drying your hair only when needed or necessary. Mind the gap between your ear and scalp not to let the noise and heat affect your health.
