How to Air Dry Thick Hair

Last Updated: October 4, 2021 References

Using a blow dryer on hair exposes it to extreme heat that can leave it dry and brittle. However, just letting your hair air dry often results in frizz, especially if you have thick hair. It takes a change in routine and some specialty products to get thick hair to air dry properly.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Washing and Detangling Your Hair

1
Cut down on shampooing your hair. Washing your hair strips away moisture, which leads to frizz.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Arthur Sebastian
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 29 April 2019.} Try to shampoo you hair once a week and never more than a couple times a week. Instead of washing it, just apply a little leave-in conditioner to the ends of your hair each day, or you can treat the ends of your hair with regular conditioner when you’re in the shower. If you’re too intimidated by the thought of cutting out shampoo, try a cleansing conditioner that will gently remove oil while still moisturizing your hair.^{[2]
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2
Shampoo only your roots. When you apply shampoo, only lather up the hair around your scalp. It's the youngest and most oily area of your hair, while the ends are the oldest and driest, so they don't need the same amount of washing.^{[3]
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Research source} Massage the shampoo into your roots with your fingers and then rinse it out.

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3
Comb your hair in the shower. Use a wide-toothed comb to detangle your hair while it’s still wet. To help prevent breakage, try combing it while the conditioner is still in your hair, then rinse when you’re done. Don’t wait until your hair starts to dry to comb it. If you wait too long, combing can make hair frizzy.^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Drying Your Hair

1
Use your hands to squeeze out excess water. Once you’re done showering, gather your hair into a ponytail with your hands at the back of your head and move down the length of your hair, squeezing the water down as you go. This will help excess water run off the ends of your hair to prepare for the towel.
2
Blot your hair with an absorbent towel. Do not rub your hair vigorously with the towel. The friction of rubbing not only results in frizz but also breakage. Wrap the towel gently around your hair and squeeze it in various spots to absorb as much water as possible.^{[5]
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3
Run your fingers through your hair. Slide your fingers through your hair at the scalp, and then run them through your hair down to the ends. This allows the air to work through the hair, decreasing drying time.
4
Use your fingers to style your hair. If you want defined curls or waves in your hair as it dries, try twisting several sections of hair around a finger and holding it for a few seconds to create spirals. For a beach waves look, apply an anti-frizz product and scrunch your hair up in your palm before releasing it.
5
Braid your hair to create more defined waves. Divide your hair into 2-4 parts, depending on your hair's thickness. Braid each part and secure each braid with a rubber band. When your braids feel dry to the touch, undo them and enjoy your beautiful waves.
- If you're hair is naturally straight, this approach may work better for you than creating twists with your fingers.
- If you don't like the way your hair looks while braided, you can use hair clips to pin your braids up--keeping them on top of your head for a cute updo until they are dry.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Finding the Right Products

1
Switch to either a microfiber towel or a t-shirt. Microfiber towels and t-shirts are gentler on your hair than traditional, terrycloth towels. Microfiber towels are also more absorbent than traditional towels, so you should use a microfiber towel to help your hair dry faster if you have straight or wavy hair.^{[6]
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Research source} However, if you have curly hair, try using a t-shirt instead. T-shirts are less absorbent, and the extra moisture helps to create soft curls.
- Long sleeve t-shirts work best because they are easier to wrap and tie around your head.
2
Ditch the brush for a comb. Hairbrushes will only add frizz to your thick hair. Find a comb, preferably a wide-toothed one, and use it sparingly, such as only in the shower or when your hair is already wet. Avoid combing or brushing dry hair, especially if your hair is curly, since the resulting frizz could get out of control.
3
Fight frizz with anti-frizz products. Apply a serum or oil suitable for your hair type to get silky, shiny hair.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Arthur Sebastian
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 29 April 2019.} Try a gel-based product for straight hair and a cream or mousse for curly hair.^{[8]
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Research source} Do not use products intended for blow drying as many of them are activated by the heat of the blow dryer.
- To protect the ends of your hair, apply an anti-breakage serum to them while your hair is still wet.
4
Apply leave-in conditioner at least once a week. While your hair is still wet, saturate it with leave-in conditioner from root to tip, or just from the middle down if you're concerned about excess oil from your scalp. If you don’t have a leave-in conditioner, you can do the same thing with coconut oil, and allow the product to sit in your hair as it dries.^{[9]
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Research source} This will help restore lost moisture to your hair and eliminate frizz.
- Avoid overloading your hair with too many products, since this can make it stiff or greasy.^{[10]
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5
Use hair clips to create volume. If you want to add extra volume to your roots, gather a section of hair at a time and lift the hair up at the root before sliding a clip in. Do this several times around your part and the crown of your head. Then remove the clips once your hair is dry and enjoy the extra lift.^{[11]
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Expert Q&A

Question

Is it better to air dry your hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Air drying your hair is gentler than heat styling but it gives you less control. Air drying is great if you want to embrace your natural texture but isn't good for straightening.
Question

How do I stop my hair from frizzing?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

For thick dry hair, frizz can be a lack of moisture or a result of too much bulk. If conditioners don't remove frizz, try asking your stylist to thin your hair as this may help create a smoother sleeker shape.
Question

How do you make your hair dry faster?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Use a towel or an old T-shirt to absorb as much water as possible. You can also shake your hair out periodically as it dries which will help air reach the interior.