Hair dryers: from types and characteristics to rating and choice

A hairdryer is an indispensable appliance used by both professional hairdressers and millions of women around the world. With its help, the technology of hot hair styling was developed, many styling products most successfully work in tandem with such equipment.

Today, not only experts in the creation of fashionable hairstyles know about how domestic and professional hair dryers are better than a hair iron and how they can be used for drying. This device is in almost every home, and such a mass better than any words confirms its relevance and relevance. To understand its functions, capabilities, features, it is worth exploring in more detail not only varieties, but also important points in the operation of the device.

Hair dryer is a device used for drying hair, powered by mains or autonomous power sources. In its design there are a heater and a supercharger of air flow. Due to the presence of a bell-divider at the end, heat is supplied directionally, strictly to a given area.

The appliance got its name at the start of mass production - in 1908, AEG registered the same name brand. She, in turn, was called "fen" by analogy with the Alpine wind, warm and dry, with characteristic gusts.

The classic hair dryer model is a tube, inside of which there is a heating element and a fan. It is fixed to the handle - most often a pistol type.An air intake grille is located on one side of the body, and a guide bell or nozzle can be installed on the other side to help make hair styling more complex. In some models, there is an adjustment of the high-speed air supply mode and heating temperature.

The main purpose of any hair dryer is hair drying. For this, the air flow is heated to a temperature of +60 degrees. Modern models may have an additional ionization function that eliminates the problem of the generation of static electricity that occurs when drying hair.

It is believed that any thermal effect is very harmful to the hair and it is better to naturally dry them without external interference. Sure, with the uncontrolled use of electrical appliances, hot air really spoils the hair. Here are just alternatives to the hair dryer in a situation where you need to urgently lower the moisture of the strands until you come up with.

With frequent use of the hair dryer, you can notice the damage that it causes to the hair. This is a consequence of the contact of the scalp and keratin scales with hot air, manifested in the form:

• split ends;
• dry skin;
• sensitization;
• stratification of hairs - they look untidy;
• loss of color brightness;
• the disappearance of elasticity, shine.

When dried naturally, this does not happen. Hair retains its elasticity and looks healthier. But when it comes to long strands, it takes hours to fully dry them. Going out an hour later after a shower or visiting the pool will definitely not work.

All existing hairdryers on the market today can be divided into several categories according to their features.

• Professional grade. These are electrical appliances of high power, large size and weight. They spend a minimum of time drying their hair, equipped with a convenient handle for the long-term work of the master. Professionals often use stationary hair dryers, caps, necessary for thermal exposure for a certain time. In any case, these devices are focused on long-term operation, have a temperature switch, a lot of nozzles - from concentrators to diffusers - for different effects during drying.

• Household. A large class of home hairdryers that do not have a wide range of functions. Often in them there are only a nozzle-concentrator and switching between two heating modes. For top manufacturers, even household hair dryers are capable of more, but they are also quite expensive.

• Silent. They are considered professional, but can also be used at home, when organizing field photo shoots, at fashion shows, and not just in salons. Provide drying of hair without increased noise level (in conventional models it reaches 70 dB). Cost more than conventional appliances.

• With cold air. This feature is found in many modern hair dryers with a large number of nozzles. It is necessary for fixing curls after curling with a hairdryer, is mandatory when drying hair after hair extensions, is indispensable in the care of damaged strands.

• Compact road. In this electrical appliance there is a folding handle that allows you to make storage more convenient. In terms of functionality, they are much inferior to classic models.

• With an ionizer. When working, such a device helps to avoid drying out the hair. With it, you can remove static electricity, add strands of shine and gloss.

• Infrared. They allow you to use low-temperature drying, harmless to the hair. Such a hair dryer accelerates the process of removing excess moisture by 2 times and is considered safer.

• In the form of a brush. Devices of this type combine the functions of drying and styling hair.Hot air blowing by the principle of a hair dryer is less harmful than exposure to a curling iron. At the same time, the effect of styling can be no less impressive.

The main varieties of nozzles with which the hairdryer works are aimed at improving its functionality, ease of use. The greater their choice will be available from the very beginning, the easier it will be to create different hairstyles. You can highlight the most useful devices.

The cylindrical brush head is absolutely indispensable for styling. With it, you can easily combine drying and styling. Fen-brashing helps to add basal volume to short hair, indispensable on long strands, if you need to form a Hollywood wave of curls.

This tapered nozzle has a length of up to 74 mm and a width of up to 90 mm. It is indispensable for local drying of individual strands, acts directionally. Hubs are used to create different types of hairstyles: smooth, disheveled, with large waves or twisted ends. Such a divider practically does not harm the scalp.

In appearance, such a nozzle is similar to a conventional massage comb, but with an additional drying function. It provides a good effect when using smoothing compounds on the hair below the shoulders.. When drying, the brush helps to straighten strands, remove fluffy, has a gentle effect on the hair and does not harm the scalp.

Universal nozzle for creating basal volume. It is with its help that you can turn a cool curl into a curl, make a fashionable careless styling, create the illusion of splendor on very thin hair. The diffuser has the form of a flat rounded nozzle with "spikes" and openings for the exit of hot air. When the device is working, a uniform distribution of heating occurs, there is no negative effect on the scalp.

A hairdryer and a hair iron are constantly compared, because these devices belong to the category of hair care equipment that uses heat as a means of exposure. That's just the correctness of such a comparison raises many questions. The temperature difference is huge: the hair dryer is heated to a temperature of no higher than 60-120 degrees at the nozzle, while curling and straightening tongs have a working range of 120-240 degrees.

Functionally, the hairdryer and the iron are also very different. Drying hair with tongs is long and unproductive. A hairdryer can do this much better.. But he is not able to curl cool curls or create the effect of mirror smoothness and straighten strands. Here you will need a completely different device.

By the effect on the scalp, the iron clearly wins, since its heat does not come in contact with this part of the body. Hair dryer with regular use will have its drying effect. According to the aggressiveness of the effect on the hair itself, the iron is clearly lost: high-temperature effects, even when using protective compounds, have a very strong effect on the health of strands and change their appearance.

Among the hairdryer models on sale today, professional solutions are of greatest interest. They facilitate styling, significantly reduce the time of contact of hair with hot air. Among the market leaders, the following options are included in the ranking of the best.

• Cloud Nine The Airshot. A powerful professional hair dryer with ionization function, weighs only 570 g at a power of 2000 watts. Tourmaline-coated ceramic heating elements are the safest for hair.This hair dryer has LED illumination on the control panel, heating in 3 modes, adjusting the intensity of blowing, cold air supply and nozzles-hubs in 2 copies. A long cord of 3 m facilitates the work of the master in the cabin.

• Velecta Paramount TGR 4000. Professional hair dryer from a well-known brand of salon equipment from France The 2000 W model has a very quiet operation, compact dimensions, weighs only 510 g. The ergonomic case is equipped with controls on the rear panel. The length of the power cord is 3 m. The kit includes hubs, a removable metal filter, and there is no ionization mode.

• Wahl Master. Professional Italian hair dryer in chrome. It has a power of 2000 watts, it dries easily, stacks hair, it is equipped with an ergonomic pistol grip, it is balanced, it does not slip in your hand, it weighs only 590 g. There are 2 nozzles-hubs of different widths, a cold airflow, a cable 3 m long. This hairdryer an AC motor is installed to extend the service life.

• Jaguar HD-5000 Light Ionic. Hair dryer from a leading German manufacturer of professional styling accessories. The model has an average power of 1650 watts, provides ionization during hair drying. The set includes 2 nozzles, there is a function of supplying cold air, 2 blowing speeds and heating adjustment in 4 versions. A long cord of 2.8 m facilitates the work of the master.

• GHD Air. Hair dryer from a leading British manufacturer of professional products for drying and styling hair. The 2100 W model is equipped with a removable filter of a special design, provides high-pressure air supply, reducing hair drying time. The hair dryer has ionization, cold air supply, a nozzle-concentrator and switching modes of blowing and power. Ergonomic design, suitable for craftsmen with left and right working hands, power cord length - 3 m, device weighs 1.54 kg.

• Hairway Professional 03039. Professional model with a power of 2100 W in a stylish case with a metallic effect. The hair dryer has a long 2.8 m cord with a loop for hanging, an ionization function, cold airflow. It is possible to switch the intensity of blowing, 4 heating modes.

• Remington AIR 3D Dryer. Compact hair dryer with a 1800 W motor in the handle, a cover and a set of nozzles for styling included. The model has a spectacular design, it is convenient to dry without additional accessories, the cord length of 3 m does not interfere with freedom of movement, there is a mat and a loop for hanging the device during breaks. Included nozzles rotate 360 ​​degrees in the mount. The hair dryer has temperature control in 3 modes and a choice of airflow intensity, in the presence of a button for supplying cold air, ionization.

• Kapous Professional Tornado-2500. Powerful professional hair dryer weighing 0.8 kg. The set includes a long (3 m) power cord, a 2500 W motor, a cold air supply function and 6 drying adjustment modes, a hub nozzle. One of the best models according to user reviews.

• Xiaomi Soocas H3 Hair Dryer. A stylish model from a leading brand in the high-tech market, comes with European and Chinese type forks, a storage bag is included. The power of the device is 1800 W, there is a switch of the heating intensity and blowing power, ionization, the controls are displayed on the handle of the hairdryer. The kit includes a hub with rotation function.

• AEG HTD 5595. A powerful professional 2200 W hairdryer with a pistol grip, there are 6 adjustment modes, cold air supply, and ionization function. The model provides a removable filter, diffuser and hub in the kit. The cord length is limited to 2 m, the device weighs about 900 g.

• Galaxy GL 4326. A 2200 W professional hairdryer with a hub nozzle included. The model has a convenient side power button on the case, a “pistol” handle, a cold mode switch on the handle. The model is equipped with a wire more than 1.7 m long with a loop for hanging, it works quite noisily, but efficiently, quickly dries hair of any length.Hairdryer is presented in the middle price category.

• Panasonic EH5571. Hairdryer for home use, has a power of 1800 watts, 3 speed modes, 4 heating steps, ionization function. In a set 1 nozzle hub. The price looks overpriced for this feature set.

• "Vasilisa FN-2200". A Russian-made household hairdryer with a power of 2200 W with an original design and minimal weight. The model has an ergonomic pistol grip, 3 heating modes and adjustment of the air flow in 2 positions, the function of cold blowing, ionization is provided - all the controls are placed on the handle. The package includes a nozzle with a narrow nozzle.

• BaByliss 2736E. Multifunctional model with the effect of hair straightening. The kit includes a removable filter, 360-degree rotation function, cold airflow, 4 nozzles, switching of operating modes, 2 m cord, storage case. The power of the device is only 1000 W, which eliminates the noticeable load on the home network. The teeth of the rectifier brush are coated with ceramic, the stylers use natural boar bristles, and the ionization function is supported.

• Ga. Ma turbo-cx. The 1200 W hair dryer in a compact design. The model belongs to multi-stylers, in addition to the rectifier, there is a hairdryer and a curling iron, a work indicator is included, 6 different nozzles. There is a cold airflow to consolidate the results.

• Bosch PHA 2000. 400 W hairdryer with 2 operating modes. The diameter of the working nozzle is 20 mm, the cord has a rotation function, a loop for hanging. It differs from other models in reliability, ease of use. A good base brush styling option.

When choosing a hair dryer, the main attention should be paid to criteria directly related to its work.

1. Device power. It affects the drying rate of wet strands. Optimum for home use are considered models with a capacity of 1.4-1.8 kW. A more intense effect is relevant only for salon styling. Hair dryers with a power of more than 2 kW should not be used too often, they greatly dry the hair.
2. Functionality. Among the requirements for modern hair dryers are step-by-step regulation of heating, supply of cold air, ionization. Not a single serious manufacturing company neglects them.
3. Product weight. Professional hair dryers are always the heaviest - this is due to the fact that they use a thicker copper wire in the motor winding. The more reliable this shell will be, the longer the equipment will last. A hair dryer for home use should also not be too light, otherwise a quick heating of the case and the failure of the motor will not be avoided. For professional models, the weight varies in the range of 400-800 g, household weigh 200-400 g.
4. Body material. It must be heat-resistant, shock resistant. It is better to choose a rubberized handle that does not slip in the palm of your hand.
5. Cable length and thickness. Many Chinese manufacturers even save on insulation by putting the power cord in the cheapest PVC braid that is cracked by high temperatures. It is necessary to pay attention to the reliability of this element. In addition, the length of the cord should provide sufficient freedom of movement - the optimal option is from 1.5 m. It is good if the cord has a rotating base, allowing it not to twist during hair drying.

To use a hairdryer correctly, you need to follow a number of simple rules.

1. Choose semi-professional models with fine adjustment of air temperature. The presence of blowing with cold air is mandatory.
2. For long hair use ionizing nozzles that provide protection against overdrying.
3. To purchase a model with a large number of nozzles that help to make volume at the roots or at the tips.
4. Always wrap the strands with a towel first to remove as much moisture as possible naturally.
5. Hair can be dried in a directed mode for a very short time. It is better to use the technique of professional hairdressers: divide the entire mass of strands into separate zones and lead the device from root to tip.
6. Do not reduce the recommended distance of 40 cm from the edge of the socket to the head.
7. If there is an opportunity to refuse full drying in favor of gentle drying of hair, it is worth doing it.
8. Carry out work at the lowest possible temperatures. Before laying, apply indelible heat-protective creams or oils.

It is quite difficult to cover all customer reviews about hair dryers, not only because these devices are presented in a huge variety. It is much more important to remember that the opinion of consumers is rather subjective, and what one person likes may not be suitable for another. In the domestic market segment today receives the best reviews BaByliss brand productscombining the functions of hairdryers and stylers.

In a professional environment, Dyson is the leader in the number of positive reviews.. The brand can be called a pioneer in the introduction of new drying technologies. In addition, he pays great attention to the design of his products. Among budget professional hair dryers Galaxy products.

It is worth noting that the functionality of models for home use is also heterogeneous. Among the useful options note the presence of a cover, drying with cold air. Women with small children and those who often travel on business appreciate the silent operation of the device.

But ionization or the benefits of an infrared lamp in the hair dryer are few. In addition, most of the customers consider the nozzle-diffuser unnecessary, but almost everyone uses hubs.

See how to choose the best hair dryer in the next video.