What are the common misunderstandings about using a hair dryer?

This answer is a draft. It stays unpublished until legal review and source verification are complete.

The idea that "air-drying is kinder to your hair" is deeply rooted in many countries. In Japan most people bathe daily and wash their hair in the evening, so drying it before bed is a fixed habit, and a good deal of practical know-how about hair dryers has built up around it.

In numbers

• Hair dryers fall under the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act (the PSE mark). Dust clogging the air intake can cause overheating and fire. The National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE) warns people to clean the intake and to watch for twisted or frayed cords.
• Wet hair is generally described as having open cuticles and being weak against rubbing. Sleeping with wet hair is linked to breakage from friction and a poorer scalp environment from a damp pillow.

[Verify] Temperatures and distances are guides from major manufacturers' instruction manuals. Check accident cases against NITE's product accident database.

Misunderstanding 1｜Air-drying does the least damage

The longer hair stays wet, the longer it stays weak against friction. The scalp also stays damp. Drying quickly is generally described as easier on both hair and scalp.

Misunderstanding 2｜Blasting with hot air is the efficient way

Holding hot air on one spot raises the surface temperature and leads to dryness and coarseness. Keep moving and spread the heat across the whole head.

Misunderstanding 3｜Start with the ends

The ends dry easily; the roots are the hardest part to dry. Starting from the roots avoids over-drying the ends.

Misunderstanding 4｜The cool setting is pointless

A final blast of cool air settles the opened surface, adding shine and hold. It also cools a scalp that has built up heat.

Misunderstanding 5｜Leaving it plugged in by the bathroom sink is convenient

Electric shock near water, frayed cords and dust in the intake are causes of accidents. NITE's advice is to unplug after use and not wrap the cord around the body (a cause of breaks at the base of the cord).

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Sources

• National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE), "Hair dryer accidents" [ヘアドライヤーの事故]

https://www.nite.go.jp/jiko/chuikanki/

• Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, "Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act (PSE)" [電気用品安全法]

https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/consumer/seian/denan/

• Japanese Dermatological Association, "Dermatology Q&A — Hair disorders" [皮膚科Q&A　髪の毛の病気]

https://www.dermatol.or.jp/qa/qa17/index.html

⚠️ Editorial note: the source URLs above were identified by search. Our working environment cannot reach go.jp domains, so the contents have not been checked against the text. Verify every source before publication and record who checked it and when.

About this article

What we share here are ideas and everyday practices passed down among people living in Japan, together with general information drawn from public sources. They are not official recommendations, and they are not professional instruction. Practices vary between households and regions.

This is general information. Results vary from person to person and depend on your own conditions and surroundings.

Please decide for yourself, using your own judgement, whether any of this suits your situation. We cannot accept responsibility for any damage, loss or injury arising from following this article.

Cosmetics are not medicines and are not meant to diagnose, heal or prevent any condition. If your skin reacts, stop using the product and see a dermatologist.

Sources

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