Curly hair takes longer to dry than straight hair primarily due to its unique structure. The twists and turns of curly and coily hair create more surface area for water to cling to, significantly slowing the drying process. This is supported by multiple sources, including this article which states that the shape of curly hair strands traps moisture. Another factor is hair density; thicker, denser hair takes longer to dry.
Factors Affecting Drying Time:
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Hair Shape and Texture: The spiral or coiled nature of curly hair creates more surface area, increasing the amount of water the hair can absorb and retain. As stated by De Leon, "The twists and turns of curly and coily hair create more surface area for water to cling to, making the drying process slower." Source
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Hair Density: Denser hair, with more strands per square inch, holds more water and takes longer to dry than less dense hair. This is highlighted in discussions on platforms like Reddit's r/curlyhair e.g., see this thread.
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Hair Porosity: Hair porosity refers to how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture. High porosity hair, with raised cuticles, absorbs water quickly but also loses moisture easily. Conversely, low porosity hair has tightly closed cuticles, making it difficult for water to penetrate, resulting in prolonged drying times. An article on The Zoe Report details how low porosity hair’s tendency to retain moisture makes air-drying take hours. Source
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Hair Health: Damaged or chemically processed hair may have a compromised cuticle, making it more absorbent and slower to dry.
Practical Insights:
While the drying time can't be magically reduced, understanding these factors can help manage expectations and employ techniques to expedite the process, such as using a diffuser attachment on a hairdryer or employing the "plop" method.
