Going natural is a real joy for the hair: it frees itself by getting rid of all the layers of silicones and other film-forming agents that previously surrounded it.

Once its texture has been restored, the hair needs to be protected as much as possible from all the attacks it could be subjected to, the worst being heat.

Why heat should be avoided for natural hair and how to dry your hair without damaging it while creating volume: this is what we invite you to discover in this article.

What are the effects of heat on hair?

Today, we all know that heat has a harmful effect on hair, but do we really know why?

To understand how heat affects hair, it is necessary to understand its structure. Hair is made up of different parts: the medulla, the cortex, and the cuticle. The cortex is the main component of hair, with an abundance of keratin , a protein that gives hair its flexibility, elasticity, and strength. The cuticle is made up of scales , which help protect the keratin in the cortex.

Healthy hair has smooth, even, and closed scales. When hair is exposed to heat, its scales open, and the keratin is more exposed to external aggressions. Depending on the intensity, the heat itself damages the scales and keratin.

As a result, hair loses its suppleness, shine, softness, and strength. Split ends may appear, and your hair will become dry and duller.

The scalp can also be affected through irritation , since the heat will eliminate all the moisture contained in both your hair and your scalp.

Obviously, some hair types are more resistant than others and react better to heat.

How to dry your hair without heat?

Whether it's a hair dryer, straightener, curling iron, or any other form of heat, these different tools seem to be the ideal solution for drying or styling your hair quickly. Heat appliances quickly became our best friends until we realized the damage they were causing.

Cold air

The solution preferred by many: switching to a cold air hair dryer, which will avoid heat while having a certain speed and being able to use the air flows to style the hair with the help of a brush.

Spin dry then air dry

To air dry your hair with a suitable spin cycle that does not damage the hair structure, several steps are necessary:

First, we recommend detangling your hair before showering. The goal here is to maintain a pleasant texture for the drying stage.

Once you've created your hair routine that's right for your hair type, you can wring it out by gently squeezing it without twisting or pulling (which could damage it). You can then use one of your old cotton t-shirts or a towel made of the same material and place your hair inside it. The goal here is to still not torture your hair: you shouldn't twist or squeeze it. Simply twist the t-shirt around your hair and then tuck it into the back of your neck.

Once most of the water has been wrung out through your t-shirt, you can gently brush your hair from the bottom up with a suitable hairbrush or comb. For example, to avoid frizz, you can rely on a boar bristle brush which, in addition to removing water, will smooth the hair fiber while eliminating frizz.

If you feel the need, you can repeat the cotton t-shirt step, which will completely prevent frizz. However, don't wait for your hair to dry completely in the center of your cotton t-shirt. Indeed, the t-shirt helps prevent frizz and pre-treats the drying step, but it's obvious that your hair will finish drying more quickly in the open air.

How to get volume without using heat after showering?

If we are generally fond of hair dryers, it is mainly because they promise to produce voluminous results quickly.

To add volume naturally to your hair, especially to your roots, we recommend following the steps outlined above, then, if you wish, adding a final step: tie your hair in a high ponytail with an elastic band, preferably silk , which doesn't leave any shape. Your hair will eventually dry completely at the top to add volume to your roots. You can brush your hair one last time to gently tame it.

Finally, to nourish your hair and add shine, we recommend applying a few drops of your serum to your lengths.