Nowadays, there are a lot of different products you can purchase to maintain a healthy head of hair. One mistake you'll want to avoid, however, is ignoring what kind of towel you use to dry your hair.
Not all towels for hair drying are made equal. You have to consider the towel's age as well as the material and thread count.
A higher thread count soaks up water better but takes longer to dry. The type of hair towel material can also affect how it interacts with water as well as your hair.
Here's everything you need to know about how to buy hair towels that won't cause unnecessary damage.
Ways to Dry Your Hair
First of all, consider how you currently dry your hair. Some people prefer to air dry only, but that's not a feasible option for all hair types. Others may use solely hair dryers, but that can cause scalp dryness.
Hair towels are the most common way people get dry after a wash. However, a coarse material can cause split ends and frizz. Rubbing a bath towel on your head can also cause it to bunch up and develop knots.
The best way to dry your hair with a towel is to gently scrunch the ends. Alternatively, you can twist your hair up into your towel on top of your head and leave it up for a half-hour.
If you do resort to a hairdryer, make sure to not use a heat setting over low. While it'll take longer to dry this way, you'll best less likely to end up with excessive frizz.
Cotton
The towel you're most likely to have is also the most common one in the market. Cotton towels are made of cotton fibers woven together, which results in a soft texture that holds up to extended use.
You can wash and dry them however you want, and they'll hold their shape. They also have some of the best absorbency of all your options and are often more affordable.
The problem with cotton towels is that most people purchase cheaper options that have dryer textures. These textures can damage your hair, especially when you dry your hair vigorously. Some towels are also not made of 100% cotton, so you won't benefit as much from them.
Microfiber
A popular hair towel material that's been gaining traction is microfiber. Microfiber towels are made out of tiny polyester and nylon fibers. Because of how they're made, they boast an increased surface area that translates into high soaking power.
Microfiber is also very gentle on your skin and hair, making it a great option for drying yourself off. They absorb water from your hair faster, meaning less scrunching and rubbing. Your hair will also experience less frizz due to the towel's smooth texture.
One thing to keep in mind about microfiber towels is how to preserve them. Avoid drying them with heat or using fabric softeners. Heat can melt the fibers on the cloth, making them less effective in the future.
Bamboo
Bamboo towels for hair drying are another popular option. These towels are made out of bamboo fibers woven together, much like cotton towels. The main difference between the two is that bamboo cloth is more porous.
As a result, they absorb more water than cotton towels, which means they can also take longer to dry. Because they absorb so much water, they can also end up heavy.
If you desire an eco-friendly option, bamboo is great because it's biodegradable and lacks chemicals. They're antibacterial in nature and won't form spots from your body oils.
Anyone with allergies can also enjoy a bamboo towel because it won't cultivate the mites and germs that normally plague bath towels.
While bamboo material can be washed and dried like cotton can, they tend to be more expensive.
Hemp
One of the lesser-known hair towel materials is hemp. Hemp is a variety of the cannabis plant that has no recreational use like the more popular marijuana plant. It's used to make a variety of items such as clothing, rope, and even towels.
Like bamboo, hemp is sustainable and fast-growing. As a fabric, hemp benefits from how quickly it's gathered and the strength of its fibers.
Generally speaking, hemp should not be your first choice for a hair towel. While it's sustainable and good for the environment, it tends to be much rougher than some of the alternatives. However, hemp oil has proven to be nourishing for your hair and scalp.
Products to Help the Drying Process
Of course, you should also think about the types of products you use to supplement your hair drying routine.
For those who want to speed things along with a hairdryer, consider applying a heat protectant spray or cream to protect your hair. Some of them even help to build volume as you use the dryer.
Air-dry sprays can enhance your natural waves and provide extra hydration without the need for a blowdryer. There are also sprays that speed up the process with invisible starches that help to absorb moisture.
Buying the Right Towels for Hair Drying
Towel drying your hair doesn't have to mean frizziness or split ends. With the right materials, you can get dry hair without sacrificing its appearance.
Always make sure you aren't "cheaping out" on your towels for hair drying. Go for the quality microfiber or 100% cotton terrycloth variety over the rougher dollar store variety.
Want to avoid damaging your hair by rubbing it with a rough towel? Our Turbie Twist Microfiber Hair Towels hold your hair up and dry it quickly and gently. Try one out today.