How To Use A Hair Diffuser To Style Your Curly Hair Like A Pro

If there is one Holy Grail product that all curly-haired women need, it is a hair diffuser. A hair diffuser is a bowl-shaped attachment for your hair dryer. It has multiple spokes that diffuse the airflow from hair dyer. Using this attachment is the best way to eliminate frizz and add oodles of definition to your curls. It also protects the cuticles of textured hair from direct heat. However, not using it the right way can cause knots and tangles in your hair. Scroll down to learn how to use a hair diffuser like a pro and dry and style your curly hair the right way!

How Does A Hair Diffuser Work? How Is It Different From A Blow Dryer?

Before talking about how to use a hair diffuser, you need to know how it works. The diffuser is a plastic cup-shaped or round attachment designed to snap or clip onto your hair dryers nozzle.

The head has multiple orifices on long prongs that release streams of warm air. These streams have low pressure and spread warm air to a wider area. A traditional blow dryer may release hot air blasts at high pressure. Drying hair with such dryers may expose the hair shafts, cuticles, and scalp to direct heat. Prolonged use may also damage the fibers, make them brittle (1), (2).

A hair diffuser releases warm, gentle, and evenly spread out air streams. It protects your hair from the effects of direct heat. It offers better frizz control, which is key for curly, wavy, kinky, and fine hair types. Most importantly, the orifices help in adding definition to your curls.

Here in this blog, the blogger, Rayna explains what a diffuser is, describing it as an attachment for hairdryers designed to distribute heat evenly, enhance curl definition, and prevent heat damage. She provides a step-by-step guide on how to diffuse, recommending air-drying hair partially before starting the process. Rayna mentions, “Remember! What works for one natural may not work for you! Natural hair is all about trial and error!” (i)

Pro Tip

After towel drying your hair, wait for at least 15 minutes before blow-drying it to allow it some time to dry naturally.

Avoid touching your hair or combing your fingers through them when diffusing as this might lead to frizz and break the curl patterns.

Now that you know how a diffuser works, lets talk about how to use it.

How To Use A Hair Diffuser

You can get long-lasting and professional results with your hair diffuser in a few simple steps. Not to forget, it ensures gentle treatment when blow-drying curly hair. So, without further ado, let’s get to work:

1. Detangle And Comb-Dry Your Hair

Use a wide-toothed comb to detangle your hair and prevent breakage.

2. Get Rid Of Excess Moisture

Use a soft cotton T-shirt to pat your hair dry. This is to get rid of extra moisture and hold the style and product better. Gently scrunch your hair while at it.

3. Apply A Styling Product Of Your Choice

It could be a hair serum, mousse, gel, curl cream anything that you use regularly. This is to add definition and hold to your curls.

4. Gather Small Sections Of Hair To Feed Into The Diffuser

Place small sections of hair into the diffuser bowl. Turn on the blow dryer and slowly bring the diffuser towards your head. Hold the blow dryer in this position.

5. Work Your Way Through All The Sections

Hold the diffuser in each section for 30 seconds before moving to the next one. Use hair clips to hold sections out of the way to reach the under-layers of your hair.

6. Scrunch And Detangle

Once all the sections are dried by the diffuser, seal the look with hairspray or a volumizing spray. Gently scrunch your hair one last time.

Pro Tip

Put the diffuser over your head so that the air blows against your cuticles and not toward them.

Listed below are some more tips that you can follow to get the results with your diffuser.

Tips To Effectively Use A Hair Diffuser

•  Your hair needs to be damp not dripping water nor too dry when using a diffuser.

•  Detangle your damp hair before using the diffuser. Not doing so can increase frizz and breakage.

• Apply a thermal protectant styling serum or spray on damp hair. This will protect the hair fibers from direct heat damage.

•  Work your way from the scalp to the tips. Stop the diffuser when you are reaching the tips/hair ends. Let the ends air-dry to add bounce to your hair.

• Dont use the diffuser directly on your scalp. It is not a scalp massager.

•  Cup the sections of hair you want to feed into the diffuser. Gently lift them as they dry to preserve the curls and prevent frizz.

•  Throughout the process, use your hands sparingly. Touching blow-dried hair often causes your curls or waves to lose shape.

•  Give a blast of cold air with the cold-shot button when you are done drying all sections to release trapped heat and set the curls in place.

•  If you are working on oily or kinky hair, be patient. The hair diffuser step may feel time-consuming and laborious, but the result is worth it.

•  Always finish or set the look with a hairspray or a pomade.

•  Use gentle strokes or sweeps to get the finishing product in, especially on the deeper layers. These finishing products nourish heat-treated hair and hold the style for a longer time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do diffusers damage hair?

No. Diffusers do not damage hair. They spread hot air evenly over your hair. But do not hold the diffuser close to your scalp or use it for scalp massage, as it can damage your scalp.

Is a diffuser only for curly hair?

No, a diffuser can be used on straight and wavy hair to add volume and bounce.

How long should I diffuse my hair?

You should diffuse damp hair until it dries. Move the diffuser over a section of damp hair, hold it for about 20-30 secs, then move it over another section. Don’t hold it in one place for too long.

Do diffusers make hair curlier?

Yes, diffusers can make your hair curlier. Jjust don’t run your fingers through your curls as you diffuse your hair.

If you are looking to learn how to use a diffuser, here is a video on how to master the art of diffuser use. It includes tips and tricks for elevating your hair styling experience and helping you look your best. Click here to see!

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Rekha YadavBHMS

 

Dr. Rekha Yadav is a certified trichologist from the International Association of Trichologists, Australia. She established her hair and scalp practice in 1999 in Mumbai, India, and has over 20 years of experience in this field.

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Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

 

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

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Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends.

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