Purpose
The point of using an ionic hair dryer is to reduce frizz and improve the texture of your hair. Supposedly, the negative ions emitted by an ionic hair dryer will eliminate static and give your hair a smoother, sleeker look.
Ions
Your hair is naturally charged with both positive and negative ions when it's dry, so in terms of electrical charge, it's even, or neutral. However, when you wet your hair, it becomes positively charged. Now, a hair dryer helps get rid of the water on your hair, but it is positively charged as well. The two positive charges repel one another. You dry your hair, but add frizz, volume and static.
Negative Ions
An ionic hair dryer emits only negatively charged ions, so your wet hair will be attracted to the hair dryer. Your hair will dry faster and have much less static and frizz than from traditional hair dryers, as moisture gets "locked in" into your hair.
Effectiveness
The theory behind ionic hair dryers makes sense, but it's still unclear if they actually work or not. Drying times are only slightly reduced when using an ionic dryer, according to ABCNews.go.com, and the end result will vary depending on how damaged your hair is in the first place.
Member Comments