Many people instinctively rub their hair vigorously with a towel after washing it, hoping to remove excess water quickly. However, this common habit could actually leave hair more damaged and frizzy, according to a Japanese beauty website.
A report by Japanese beauty platform Beauty News Tokyo explains that wet hair is more vulnerable to friction because its outer protective cuticles are more susceptible to damage.
Repeated rubbing and pulling can therefore increase friction between hair strands, potentially causing damage and making hair appear rough and frizzy.
Instead of rubbing, the recommended approach is to gently press the hair with a towel to absorb moisture.
First, use both hands to squeeze out excess water without twisting or wringing the hair.
Next, place a towel over the head and gently press the scalp through the fabric using your fingertips. Work from the crown towards areas where moisture tends to remain, particularly behind the ears and along the hairline at the back of the neck.
The scalp and roots should be dried first before moving on to the rest of the hair.
Once the roots have been dealt with, wrap the towel around the middle sections and ends of the hair, then gently press with your palms to absorb the remaining moisture.
People with thicker or fuller hair can divide their hair into two sections and dry each side separately to improve absorption.
Another important tip is to keep moving to a dry section of the towel instead of repeatedly using areas that have already absorbed plenty of water.
The report also advises against keeping hair wrapped in a towel for too long. Once the hair is no longer dripping wet, you can start using a hairdryer rather than waiting until it is completely dry.
Choosing the right towel can also make a difference. Microfibre hair towels, which are designed to absorb moisture efficiently, can help remove excess water without excessive rubbing.
When using a hairdryer, start with the scalp and roots before gradually moving towards the middle sections and ends.
By following the simple ‘press, don’t rub’ technique, you can reduce unnecessary friction while making your hair-drying routine more efficient.
