Approximately 50% of women start experiencing hair loss by the age of 50. A lack of using proper hair protection techniques and the wrong towel fabrics can be contributing factors. However, many women don't realize the importance of the types of towels they use.
In this article, we discuss the importance of choosing a towel meant for protecting hair. We also discuss which towel materials to avoid completely and which are better than others. Continue reading to achieve healthier hair.
How Towel Materials Damage Hair
The friction created by drying your hair with certain types of towels can result in noticeable damage. Some towel materials are rough and abrasive against the strands of your hair. This results in breakage and thinning hair.
Rubbing these types of towels over your wet strands leaves them dry and frizzy. This is because they take too much moisture from your hair as well as pull on wet hair. Hair is especially vulnerable when wet and prone to breakage.
Types of Towel Fabrics
Air drying is by far the safest option for keeping your hair at its healthiest. However, most of us don't have time for this. Fortunately, this doesn't mean we have to compromise on healthy hair if we know how choosing a towel can help.
While there are a variety of towel fabrics to choose from, some should only be used to dry your body after bathing. Knowing the different types of towels will help you with protecting hair in the long run.
Bamboo
Bamboo is a sustainable resource. It's also a favorite choice when it comes to choosing a towel. However, bamboo comes with a higher price tag as well.
Cotton
Cotton is one of the most common options when it comes to towel materials. Cotton towels are known for their moisture-wicking ability. Their fibers effectively act as a straw to remove water from a surface.
Microfiber
Microfiber is one of the towel fabrics that's growing in popularity. The strands of these types of towels are smaller than strands of silk. However, they're much more absorbent than cotton and have excellent moisture-wicking properties.
Terry Cloth
Terry cloth towels are often too abrasive to use as a hair towel. These towels offer great absorption but can leave hair damaged. They also fail to leave behind adequate moisture to keep your hair healthy.
Choosing a Towel
When it comes to choosing a towel, you have a couple of options that can minimize damage to your hair. Towels made with 100% cotton are thick and absorbent yet still breathable.
The soft fibers of cotton towels make it gentle on wet strands, which helps reduce breakage. When choosing a towel made of cotton, choose one specifically designed for hair instead of a bath towel, which can weigh down and strain your strands.
Microfiber is one of the best choices to minimize damage. It's as effective as bamboo towels but at a much more reasonable price range.
Try to avoid terry cloth towels as much as possible. The fibers are too abrasive for wet hair and end up causing too much damage. This will leave your strands brittle and frizzy.
Protecting Hair
While some towel fabrics are better than others, how you use your towel is an important factor to consider as well. Using the right techniques can make all the difference when it comes to hair protection.
Protecting hair starts with your washing technique and ends with how you dry and style it. Choosing the right towel materials contributes to healthier locks, but try to incorporate some other beneficial hair care practices into your routine as well.
How to Wash Hair
Try to keep hair washings to at most every other day. Allowing natural oils to build up over one to two days helps your hair and scalp maintain much-needed moisture.
When it's time to wash, apply your shampoo to your scalp only and avoid aggressive scrubbing. When you rinse your hair, the shampoo will run through the ends of your hair, which is all the shampoo they really need.
For conditioner, only apply it to the ends of your hair and skip your scalp. Conditioner on your scalp can leave your hair feeling greasy and weighed down.
Drying Techniques
Heavy towels, abrasive materials, and aggressive rubbing and squeezing are bad for your hair. If you can't air dry, use a cotton or microfiber towel meant for hair protection. A hair wrap can be left on for a few minutes before removing and styling.
Styling Techniques
Allow your hair to dry as much as you can before combing or brushing it since wet hair is especially vulnerable to damage. Once it's dried most of the way, opt for a wide-tooth comb instead of a bristled brush.
Heat can destroy your hair over time and is best avoided as much as possible. If this doesn't work into your routine, be sure to use a heat spray intended for protecting hair.
High or tight ponytails, buns, and braids can put a strain on your hair. Keeping your hair loose helps avoid this, but keeping them low and loose is an alternative. Consider reaching for a scrunchie instead of a traditional hair tie as well.
Find the Right Towel Fabrics and Techniques
Protecting hair is all about the right towel fabrics and hair care techniques. Cotton and microfiber towel materials are the best option for absorbency and gentleness. Combine these with our hair care tips, and you'll be well on your way to healthier hair.
Shop our selection of microfiber hair towels to start the journey to great hair.