How to Diffuse Wavy Hair
Anyone with curly or wavy hair can attest to the difficulty behind taming those wild locks. A common problem for wavy hair types is drying without damaging your hair; blow dryer diffusers help you reduce the frizz without disturbing the pattern of your waves. A hair diffuser or hairdryer diffuser is an attachment on your blow dryer that disperses its airflow and dries your hair gently, maintaining the wave pattern and creating more hair volume.
Styling and maintaining challenging hair can be an intimidating task, and while you can learn how to diffuse your hair effectively, many choose to leave it to professionals. Keep reading to learn more about how the pros diffuse wavy hair in Texas.
Why use a Diffuser?
A standard blow dryer dries out your hair and straightens the waves. However, when using the best diffuser for curly hair, you have to be careful to use it correctly. You may have gotten the best diffuser for curly hair, but you won't get the desired results if you misuse it. Benefits of using a hairdryer diffuser include:
Minimal Heat Damage On Hair
Diffusing disperses heat over a large hair area instead of concentrating it in one place.
Volume and Faster Drying Time
Using the best diffuser for curly hair gives your hair added volume. A diffuser diffuses or disperses air and prevents frizz by protecting the hair cuticles.
Difference Between Wavy and Curly Hair When Diffusing
Curly hair is kinky and has close and tight curls like a spring. Wavy hair is a cross between curly and straight hair. Wavy hair has zig-zag patterns and is mostly softer than curly hair.
How to Diffuse Wavy Hair
Diffusing wavy hair maintains the waves without drying out your hair, and your hairstylist will ensure your hair is thoroughly wet before diffusing and use any of these four diffusing methods:
Hovering: Let the diffuser hover above the hair without touching it.
Pixie Diffusing: You put a portion of your hair in the diffuser bowl before turning the dryer on. Before you take the hair out, switch the dryer off. This technique preserves the wave pattern.
Root Lift: Turn your hair upside down and massage your roots using a diffuser. This style lifts the hair away from your scalp, lifting the hair at the roots. This should be done after the hair has been mostly dried with the diffuser.
Stretch or spring: To get some bounce to your waves, plop your hair into the diffuser bowl and bob up and down towards your head. Use a good hold gel for this technique, and if you want longer waves, let them hang and hover the diffuser.
How to Diffuse Curly Hair
Professional hair stylists know all the curly hair tips, like how your curls can straighten if they try drying your curly hair with the regular blow-dry nozzle. Drying the hair with a diffuser maintains the bouncy curls and gives them volume while keeping away the frizz, so your stylist will use cold air to prevent the curls from stretching while keeping their hands away from your hair. They may also use the above four methods used on wavy hair.
What to Do Before Diffusing
Before diffusing, the first step your stylist takes is to prep your hair while washing it with quality products that nourish your hair instead of drying it and robbing its moisture. Work the styling product into the hair and ensure it's wet enough before you start diffusing. If you want a softer curl pattern, use styling cremes instead of gels. Finally, they will ensure the waves look defined when wet, as they will look the same when dry.
Wavy hair needs mousses and gels for styling and hold, so the more generous you are with the products, the better the waves will look. For your waves to look good, your hair needs to be healthy. Trim your dead ends before you diffuse, or the rest of the hair will get a nice bouncy look while the dead ends look, well, dead.
Diffuse Your Wavy Hair With help From Johnny Rodriguez, The Salon®
While it is possible to diffuse your wavy hair at home, you should get a professional touch once in a while. At Johnny Rodriguez The Salon®, we strive to give your hair the best care all through the year. Contact us to schedule an appointment at our locations in Plano and Dallas.
image credit: Sofia Zhuravetc, shutterstock