To properly dry your hair with a towel as a male, the key is to avoid harsh rubbing and instead gently absorb the moisture.
Contrary to common practice, you shouldn't rub your wet hair vigorously with a towel. This can cause friction, leading to frizz, breakage, and damage, especially if your hair is longer or prone to tangling.
The Proper Towel Drying Technique
Instead of rubbing, follow these steps for a gentler and more effective approach based on expert advice:
- Remove Excess Water: Gently squeeze out the majority of water from your hair with your hands after showering.
- Wrap Your Hair: Just wrap your wet hair with a towel. You can either turban wrap it around your head or simply let the towel sit on top, covering your hair.
- Let the Towel Absorb: Leave it for 10 minutes or so. This allows the towel to absorb the drippiness and significant moisture from your hair without causing damage.
- Use While Doing Other Tasks: As the reference suggests, leaving the towel on can help get your hair out of your way while you apply moisturizer to your face or perform other parts of your grooming routine.
- Remove the Towel: After about 10 minutes, carefully remove the towel. Your hair should be damp, not dripping wet.
- Detangle Gently: Then you can remove the towel and gently comb it out. Use a wide-tooth comb or, preferably, a detangling brush. Start from the ends and work your way up to avoid pulling and breaking the hair.
Quick Summary: Don't Rub, Just Wrap
Here's a simple breakdown:
| Action | Description | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| DO Wrap | Wrap hair gently in a towel | Reduces friction, prevents damage |
| DO Wait | Leave towel on for ~10 minutes | Absorbs moisture effectively |
| DO Comb | Gently detangle with wide comb/detangling brush | Prevents breakage and knots |
| DON'T Rub | Vigorously rub hair with a towel | Avoids frizz, breakage, and hair damage |
By following this method, you reduce stress on your hair strands and scalp, leading to healthier, less frizzy, and more manageable hair in the long run.
