As far as heat damage--Are dome dryers REALLY better than handheld ones?

[fluffylocks]

I was thinking....
If you sit under a dome dryer for 1 to 2 hours, how is that really different or better than blowdrying for 10-15 minuets?

With the dome dryer, the heat circulates all around, so its not "direct heat", but its still hitting every angle of your hair for a very long time at some high temperatures, and its not even really that far from your head

With the blowdryer, you manually put the heat in each section, sometimes at closer levels than the dome ( if you use the attatchemnts), and the wind level and heat is higher ( if you set it on max heat and high speed)

I look at it like walking up a hill and standing in the sun for 10 min, as opposed to laying at the bottom for a hour or two

( The handling of the hair while blowdrying is a different story though, if you are combing or roundbrushing, that is probally more damaging than rollersetting ---not sure if its any better than wet wrapping though)

What are your thoughts?

 

[Legend]

The heat setting makes the difference here. I prefer hood dryers because I usually wet set my hair. But, I always set my dryer to cool or low. (I avoid too much heat like the plague.)

Now, if one is blasting either appliance at full heat, then they are probably equally damaging overall. However, with a handheld dryer, there is a greater chance of damaging your hair if the dryer is kept one one section of hair even a moment too long. Good hood dryers circulate air evenly. Easier on the arms, too!

 

[natieya]

I was thinking....
If you sit under a dome dryer for 1 to 2 hours, how is that really different or better than blowdrying for 10-15 minuets?

With the dome dryer, the heat circulates all around, so its not "direct heat", but its still hitting every angle of your hair for a very long time at some high temperatures, and its not even really that far from your head

With the blowdryer, you manually put the heat in each section, sometimes at closer levels than the dome ( if you use the attatchemnts), and the wind level and heat is higher ( if you set it on max heat and high speed)

I look at it like walking up a hill and standing in the sun for 10 min, as opposed to laying at the bottom for a hour or two

( The handling of the hair while blowdrying is a different story though, if you are combing or roundbrushing, that is probally more damaging than rollersetting ---not sure if its any better than wet wrapping though)

What are your thoughts?

Thanks for asking this! I've always wanted to know.

 

[glamazon386]

The hooded dryer is less damaging because it's indirect heat and distributed evenly.

 

[honeybadgirl]

my chi ionic dryer shoots hot and cool air out periodically
(what does that have to do with anything)




i'm going to bed...i'm tired

 

[fluffylocks]

The hooded dryer is less damaging because it's indirect heat and distributed evenly.

Doesnt the hair on the top recieve more heat though? ( i dont know about expensive ones, but my $40 one only has oppenings only on the top portions, the hair by the ears and such just have to get dry from being in the dome)

But, i never have understood how the hooded dryer is indirect, when the heat is about the same distance away as a handheld, to me its the same as people stading around you holding handheld blowdryers or something---could you explain to me ( if you want to that is) how its indirect

 

[fluffylocks]

my chi ionic dryer shoots hot and cool air out periodically
(what does that have to do with anything)




i'm going to bed...i'm tired

GO.TO. SLEEP.!!!


( i get like that when im sleepy too, its like im drunk or something)

Good night:wink2:

 

[SleepyJean]

I was thinking....
If you sit under a dome dryer for 1 to 2 hours, how is that really different or better than blowdrying for 10-15 minuets?

With the dome dryer, the heat circulates all around, so its not "direct heat", but its still hitting every angle of your hair for a very long time at some high temperatures, and its not even really that far from your head

With the blowdryer, you manually put the heat in each section, sometimes at closer levels than the dome ( if you use the attatchemnts), and the wind level and heat is higher ( if you set it on max heat and high speed)

I look at it like walking up a hill and standing in the sun for 10 min, as opposed to laying at the bottom for a hour or two

( The handling of the hair while blowdrying is a different story though, if you are combing or roundbrushing, that is probally more damaging than rollersetting ---not sure if its any better than wet wrapping though)

What are your thoughts?

I think it is.
1. There is no combing.
2. Hooded dryers don't get as hot as blow dryers.

 

[The Girl]

Doesnt the hair on the top recieve more heat though? ( i dont know about expensive ones, but my $40 one only has oppenings only on the top portions, the hair by the ears and such just have to get dry from being in the dome)

good question

 

[Sistaslick]

I definitely think the quality of your dome dryer will play a role in the amount of trauma your hair faces while exposed to its heat. My dryer is a cheapie ($27) and I KNOW it has "hot spots." Most of my heat is in the back of the dryer, not the front, top, or sides. I have to literally do 15 mins facing forward, 15 facing right, 15 facing left... etc, just to cover everything and vary the heat.

I'm relatively new to dome drying, and after a few whirls I realize that if this is something I'm going to do often, I'll need a quality dryer.


I do still think that dome heat is better than blowdryer heat, while no heat is best of all. To me, it's more like standing in a 15 minute hurricane without being strapped down and protected versus a 45 minute mild breeze while you are strapped down. Both tools are blowing hot wind, but one has more unorganized, force/strength than the other. Then the hurricane is typically followed by more heat being passed directly over the strands. Personally, I can definitely tell the difference in my hair after blowdrying and after dome drying. My hair feels light, bouncy, and moisturized after the dome, and hard, swollen, and thirsty after a few minutes of the blowdryer. They both have flaws, but the blowdryer is more damaging in my opinion.

This is what I've come up with:

1.) Blow dryers are the hotter, more direct heat source. It depletes and removes moisture from the strands more violently and rapidly than a hooded dryer. That rapid heating within the shaft is damaging in and of itself. (Very,very off topic, but that reminds me why I rarely use the microwave. Rapidly heating food destroys its nutritional value. Gentle heating on the stove top for me)

2.) Domed dryers do not blow the strands all over or cause them to move wildly about. Most domed dryer styles involved "controlled hair" where blowdrying tends to involve hair that is more random and wild. Much of the damage from using heat is aggravated by the manipulation.

3.) Usually some other heating implement is used in addition to a blowdryer- esepcially if you are not using a roundbrush to style the hair. Most people follow a blowdryer with a flatiron or curling iron which are the worst heat damage offenders. Usually, that additional heat isn't needed when you've used the hooded dryer. (unless you are blowing out or flatironing the roots- and even then, at least the full shaft is not subject to the additional heat.)

4.) For those who rollerset, the delicate ends of the hair are also protected from overwhelming heat because the ends are rolled and tucked under the hair. Only the hair that can take it the most (newgrowth and upper length) get hit with the most heat under the dome- though the scalp can be affected. Blowdryers attack the full length of the strand with the same power.

5.) Just in general, when used as a heat source, dome heat tends to be used less often than a blow dryer. Most people who blowdry, tend to do so pretty regularly. There are folks that fire up the blowdryer everyday or several times a week for styling out of the shower. I don't know many who'll whip out the dome like that.

Okay... it's almost 4am here... off to bed. Hope this makes sense in the morning...

 

[honeybadgirl]

GO.TO. SLEEP.!!!


( i get like that when im sleepy too, its like im drunk or something)

Good night:wink2:

i'm glad you understood

 

[glamazon386]

Doesnt the hair on the top recieve more heat though? ( i dont know about expensive ones, but my $40 one only has oppenings only on the top portions, the hair by the ears and such just have to get dry from being in the dome)

But, i never have understood how the hooded dryer is indirect, when the heat is about the same distance away as a handheld, to me its the same as people stading around you holding handheld blowdryers or something---could you explain to me ( if you want to that is) how its indirect

No it doesn't. Well it's shouldn't anyway. The air is contained by the hood and circulates inside of the hood. That's why there's all those little holes all over the inside. It's not like with the blowdryer where all the air is coming out of one place. You're blasting it in one section all at once.

 

[NessaNessa]

I definitely think the quality of your dome dryer will play a role in the amount of trauma your hair faces while exposed to its heat. My dryer is a cheapie ($27) and I KNOW it has "hot spots." Most of my heat is in the back of the dryer, not the front, top, or sides. I have to literally do 15 mins facing forward, 15 facing right, 15 facing left... etc, just to cover everything and vary the heat.

I'm relatively new to dome drying, and after a few whirls I realize that if this is something I'm going to do often, I'll need a quality dryer.


I do still think that dome heat is better than blowdryer heat, while no heat is best of all. To me, it's more like standing in a 15 minute hurricane without being strapped down and protected versus a 45 minute mild breeze while you are strapped down. Both tools are blowing hot wind, but one has more unorganized, force/strength than the other. Then the hurricane is typically followed by more heat being passed directly over the strands. Personally, I can definitely tell the difference in my hair after blowdrying and after dome drying. My hair feels light, bouncy, and moisturized after the dome, and hard, swollen, and thirsty after a few minutes of the blowdryer. They both have flaws, but the blowdryer is more damaging in my opinion.

This is what I've come up with:

1.) Blow dryers are the hotter, more direct heat source. It depletes and removes moisture from the strands more violently and rapidly than a hooded dryer. That rapid heating within the shaft is damaging in and of itself. (Very,very off topic, but that reminds me why I rarely use the microwave. Rapidly heating food destroys its nutritional value. Gentle heating on the stove top for me)

2.) Domed dryers do not blow the strands all over or cause them to move wildly about. Most domed dryer styles involved "controlled hair" where blowdrying tends to involve hair that is more random and wild. Much of the damage from using heat is aggravated by the manipulation.

3.) Usually some other heating implement is used in addition to a blowdryer- esepcially if you are not using a roundbrush to style the hair. Most people follow a blowdryer with a flatiron or curling iron which are the worst heat damage offenders. Usually, that additional heat isn't needed when you've used the hooded dryer. (unless you are blowing out or flatironing the roots- and even then, at least the full shaft is not subject to the additional heat.)

4.) For those who rollerset, the delicate ends of the hair are also protected from overwhelming heat because the ends are rolled and tucked under the hair. Only the hair that can take it the most (newgrowth and upper length) get hit with the most heat under the dome- though the scalp can be affected. Blowdryers attack the full length of the strand with the same power.

5.) Just in general, when used as a heat source, dome heat tends to be used less often than a blow dryer. Most people who blowdry, tend to do so pretty regularly. There are folks that fire up the blowdryer everyday or several times a week for styling out of the shower. I don't know many who'll whip out the dome like that.

Okay... it's almost 4am here... off to bed. Hope this makes sense in the morning...

Sistaslick, I love you Thansk for breaking it down like that!!!

 

[HoneyDew]

I just purchased a new dryer because I don't think mine was very good and distributed too much heat in some areas and not enough (hardly none) in others. It is decent for conditioning treatments, but sets and drying seem impossible!!

I still think a few quick shots with my blowdryer (no comb) are better when i have airdried and need a little help is better than me sitting under that thing for long periods of time.

But, for sets and things, I needed an upgrade. I bought a pro-tools professional dome dryer that was not cheap, but I hope it will be better for my sets and give me more of a even heat distribution.

 

[pazyamor]

I was wondering this myself. How is sitting under a hooded dryer for up to two hours at a time NOT direct heat? I can understand the plastic baggie for a DC, but just sitting there? I kinda understand the wind thing, maybe I'm just too silly to get it, one day, I will understand...

 

[Amarech]

2. Hooded dryers don't get as hot as blow dryers

How so if the blow dryer has a low setting and the hood dryer has a low setting?

And as far as chaotic, blow dryers (mine included) has a setting that controls how fast the air actually comes out of the appliance.

Some times I get the impression that people think when you blow dry that you just hold the blow dryer while your hair blows every which way and gets dry.

And I too am still trying to wrap my mind around the whole "direct" heat thing.

i guess I want the truth to be know in case there are others out there like me, who used to wonder if I was doing the right thing (I am).

Blow drying is the same as dome drying--Both can help or hurt depending on how and what you use.

 

[BeautifulFlower]

I just did a thread on this.

I was thinking....
If you sit under a dome dryer for 1 to 2 hours, how is that really different or better than blowdrying for 10-15 minuets?

With the dome dryer, the heat circulates all around, so its not "direct heat", but its still hitting every angle of your hair for a very long time at some high temperatures, and its not even really that far from your head

With the blowdryer, you manually put the heat in each section, sometimes at closer levels than the dome ( if you use the attatchemnts), and the wind level and heat is higher ( if you set it on max heat and high speed)

I look at it like walking up a hill and standing in the sun for 10 min, as opposed to laying at the bottom for a hour or two

( The handling of the hair while blowdrying is a different story though, if you are combing or roundbrushing, that is probally more damaging than rollersetting ---not sure if its any better than wet wrapping though)

What are your thoughts?

 

[LushLox]

I couldn't stay under a hooded dryer for as long as two hours. The most I will do is 45 minutes to an hour then air dry if needed.

At the end of the day it's still heat and I still need to be careful about how much I use of it.

 

[PatTodd]

I think the hood dryer is less damaging because of the indirect heat and also because there is less manipulation of the hair.

 

[pearcey]

I feel the dome is better because it dries the hair with your ends tucked under. I never liked straight blow drying, anyhow...

 

[gymfreak336]

Actually.....I think that a handheld dryer, a quality one with temp control, isn't bad. My hair gets hotter when I sit under the dryer. I really think the manner in which you use either one will be the deciding factor but my Rusk Hyperionic handheld dryer is awesome.

 

[fluffylocks]

Actually.....I think that a handheld dryer, a quality one with temp control, isn't bad. My hair gets hotter when I sit under the dryer. I really think the manner in which you use either one will be the deciding factor but my Rusk Hyperionic handheld dryer is awesome.

Same with me.

 

[bellezanegra826]

i mistakenly voted that the dome dryer is worse, i meant to vote that the hand held is worse

 

[NikStarrr]

They are the same. They both have similar heat settings. What makes either/or worse is how each individual uses them. I know a lot of ppl don't think so, but a dome dryer can be just as bad on the hair. Some of these high end dryers can get really hot and the airflow is pretty strong too. Not to mention, magnetic rollers get really hot when under a hot dryer, so it's not just hot air touching he hair, that hot roller is touching it too. That's one of the reasons (aside from tension) rollersets get hair so silky compared to other "indirect heat" styles.

Eta: I think handheld dryers get more of a bad rap because hey are usually used along with another heat tool (pressing comb, flat iron, etc) so ppl lump that in with whatever caused their damage. Whereas usually a hooded dryer style (I.e. Rollersets, braidouts etc) just need the hooded dryer that one time. That's why someone like Longhairdontcare can blow-dry regularly and braid and her hair is still long and healthy, because she uses JUST the blowdryer to style.

 

[kizzylonghair]

I don't really care about the theory for me........

• BLOW DRYING (most of the time u need to flat iron afterwards) after washing gives me dry, breaking hair that never got past my collar bone
• DOME DRYING (rollerset removed then you r finished with the heat) after washing gives me moist hair that got to APL and will again with my new journey

Not the only contribution, but u understand what I am saying...

 

[LadyRaider]

I was thinking....
If you sit under a dome dryer for 1 to 2 hours, how is that really different or better than blowdrying for 10-15 minuets?


What are your thoughts?

A stylist I consider knowledgeable agreed that both blow drying and bonnet dryers are indirect heat.

And I do sit under the dry for 45-60 minutes, as opposed to more like 1-2 minutes a section with the hand dryer. Seriously... who blow dries a section of their hair more than 20-30 seconds, anyway?

It never made sense to me that the blow dryer could be that much more damaging.

Now I think the difference maybe that people might be using their blow dryer more often, as opposed to the whole rollersetting thing that you do AT MOST once a week. So I think people might see more damage based on the fact that you use your blow dryer much more often than you might rollerset.

It seems the consensus is that the blow dryer is worse. So I just stay out of most of the arguments.

In my opinion... the worst is the curling iron, then flat iron and the a tie between the two dryers.