How to Dry Your Hair Fast, Without Using a Blow Dryer

If you're an on-the-go bride—with a gazillion items pending on your to-do list—you certainly don't have the time to spare for taxing beauty solutions. While marking 'hair wash days' on the calendar is tedious enough, imagine how long it would take to dry soaking wet tresses. And for those of you with curly, frizzy hair, let's not even go there. 

But, what if we told you that there are a few *genius* hacks that can help fasten the process (and, perhaps, ditch the blow dryer altogether?). Yup, you heard that right, bridechilla. Brides Today reached out to two hair care experts who share sworn-by tricks that could save you a LOT of time. 

Ladies, pen and paper out. 

Use a T-Shirt or Handkerchief to Absorb Excess Water

A towel turban? Nah, opt for a cotton t-shirt instead. "They are softer and more absorbent and won't cause any friction or breakage. Alternatively, wring out a kitchen handkerchief. The material is soft and absorbent and can extract an impressive amount of water from the hair as well," says Dr Stuti Khare Shukla, Hair Growth Queen of India. 

Choose the Right Hair Brush 

If you're an all-day-everyday blow-dry kinda person, make sure you're using the correct brush for the job. "To dry your hair as rapidly as possible, use a ceramic-vented round brush or a thermal flat brush that allows air to flow in and help dry your strands more quickly. Also, ensure that your blow-dryer's nozzle is pointing downwards," explains Audrey D’Souza, Hair Lead Educator, Lakmé Salon.

Condition and Comb Through

A conditioner not only moisturises your hair but speeds up the drying process as well. Each strand is coated with silicone, which seals it and repels water. "You'll observe the difference if you have a wide-toothed comb in your shower, which helps hasten the drying of particles. Always comb through before applying conditioner, to ensure an even application," she adds.

Drop the Towel

Believe it or not, your towel doesn't help dry your hair out. Instead, it may contribute to hair breakage due to the excessive friction caused. "If you want to use one, pick a soft towel with microfibers. The soft texture absorbs double the water and doesn't end up causing as much friction or breakage either," explains Dr Stuti. 

The Right Hair Care Arsenal 

"Use special styling products that cut down the blow-drying time by half while also inflicting minimal damage to your hair structure. The TIGI Bed Head After Party Smoothening Cream works well, as it is infused with lightweight conditioners and is formulated with an anti-frizz complex that reduces the blow-dry time, leaving your hair soft, smooth, and healthy," adds D'Souza. 

Turn Down the Heat

According to Dr Stuti, setting your blow-dryer heat on high as you step out of the shower is not advisable. "Preferably, use an ionic hairdryer. Negative ions can help dry the hair faster by reducing static electricity and breaking down water molecules." You can also apply a heat protectant serum or spray before exposing your hair to the heat. D'Souza adds, "The best technique is to rely on a combination of blow-drying and air drying. By waiting as long as possible post your hair wash, your hair just requires a quick touch up with the blow dryer. Plus, the pre-dried strands are easier to style while blow-drying since they have a tighter grip."