Diffusers come in a variety of sizes and forms, but their common goal is to disperse the hot air that blow dryers produce. They are typically bowl-shaped with prongs all around and created to mimic a natural “air-dry” effect.
A diffuser attachment makes it easier to evenly distribute the airflow from your blow dryer. There are diffuser attachments that can be purchased to fit over your current dryer, but those who plan to diffuse frequently might want to think about buying a dryer that already has one.
In order to prevent curls from being disturbed when drying as they would be with a typical dryer air stream, diffusing works by directing airflow all around them. This entails accentuating the curls that already exist rather than modifying them by drying them in place.
The diffuser’s mild airflow cycle is intended to dry your hair without overdrying it or causing frizz. If you want to lessen frizz, which is caused by high heat and low airflow, you’ll need to make sure your dryer is set to the appropriate settings.
Read also: What Are The Benefit Of Ashwagandha On Hair
Benefits of Diffusing Curly Hair
Diffusing gives several advantages to the curl pattern while allowing persons with curly hair to dry their hair before leaving the house (air-drying might take hours). The use of a diffuser has the advantages of reducing frizz, increasing volume, adding shine, and defining the curl pattern. Your curl will be improved and take on a tighter pattern if you use a diffuser.
Because natural hair drying takes time, there is a greater possibility that the curl will be disturbed, shifted, or shaken up before drying if you let your hair dry that way. The curl pattern, however, will last considerably longer and maintain its shape without frizz after being diffused and dried. Diffusing delivers far more consistent results than air-drying and significantly enhances the definition and gloss of curls.
Diffusing is not only for curly hair, either. Diffusing may bring out waves and curls in all hair types and can be less damaging than standard blow-drying. Contrary to common assumptions, a diffuser can be used on any hair type or texture, not just severely curly hair. In some cases of pin-straight hair, it might just provide a tiny bit of movement, but most of the time, it will intensify your curl pattern by 20–70%.
How To Accurately Use A Diffuser
Get the hair ready for diffusing
Taking good care of your hair before diffusing is essential to having a lovely set of curly hair. Curls prepared with sufficient moisturizing and styling products will seem considerably different and frizzier when diffused without any product.
Your product selection will make the most difference for different types of hair. Focus on polymer-based treatments like mousses, texture sprays, thickeners, or light gels if your hair just has a slight wave or curl. You might want to concentrate more on emollient items like creams or oils if your hair is thick and curly.
From the roots to the ends of the hair, evenly distribute the desired product. The ideal method of product distribution is to uniformly saturate wet hair. This aids in evenly dispersing your preferred product across your full head of hair. Some prefer to scrunch it in while others prefer to secure it with a finger wrap. Each approach is valid, but ultimately, it comes down to what works for you.
To ensure even dispersion of the style products, the hair should be completely damp before applying them, however, you can speed up the drying process by lightly scrunching your curls with a microfiber towel after application and before diffusing.
Start at the Roots
As this area will take significantly longer than the rest of the hair, it is crucial to begin at the roots. We can start diffusing once the product and the chosen style have been deposited.
It’s preferable to diffuse without disturbing the curls; to do this, move your diffuser in a 360-degree circle around your head, being sure to reach all spots. Remember that you are first drying your roots. You can start diffusing down the midshaft, toward the ends of the hair, as soon as you feel your roots are nearly dry.
Start increasing volume, then spread out the length
When the roots are completely dry, you can adjust the volume by flipping the hair and drying it in various positions for big volume, or merely diffusing while sitting up. Move the dryer in a circular motion without touching the hair during this stage, keeping the diffuser three to five inches away from the hair.
You’ll notice the hair beginning to develop fuller as soon as you start to feel a little bit dryer. You can now begin using the shake-out action. When you shake out your hair, you flip your head over and vigorously shake your diffuser through your hair. This will begin to promote volume from the area under the nape of the neck.
Flip your hair back up and continue diffusing whenever you feel that the roots to the middle of the hair are completely dry. Start by putting your diffuser in a cup over your hair and moving it upward while tilting your head from side to side.
This is the traditional diffusing technique that you may have seen on social media, but it’s crucial to avoid drying your hair’s ends before the roots and middle have done so. The ends will dry the quickest and will frizz up the quickest if they are over-dried.
Scrunch and Set Your Curls
Scrunching to break the cast is the final step once the hair has dried completely. To begin scrunching your hair, shake your head to loosen your roots.
Squeezing the full length of the hair at the root to break the cast is the best approach to scrunching your hair. To do this, first, open your palms to grip the hair from the ends and bring it up toward the root.
This is where the enjoyable part begins after these actions have been taken. Depending on how you prefer your curls to lay, you may now really customize where they are placed.
Read also: Benefits Of Charcoal For Hair