Blow Dry Styling / Evolution Of Hair Dryers

When Thomas Edison invented electricity the rush to create new ways use this amazing new power was launched. Evolution which is characteristic of human civilization has brought about significant improvements in the way we live and how we style our hair. The modern day blow dryer has come a long way from its humble beginnings. There is no denying the fact that the invention of the hair dryer was a major step in the evolution of the professional beauty industry.

Taking a glance back into the history of hair dryers we can see that the hair dryer was invented in the late 19th century by a French hairdresser. For the next 50 years bonnet hair dryers would become standard beauty salon equipment. The first hand-held dryer was made of heavy steel with wood handle weighed over 2 lb and produced 100 watts of heat. By the 1960's, a space age plastic pistle grip blow dryer with 1500 watts of power was poised to change the look of hair fashions for both women and men and the professional beauty industry.

To touch on the definition and use of this pestle griped wonder, it is sufficient to say that the blow dryer is a device used to dry “damp or wet hair” by blowing hot air over it. With the aid of a styling brush the damp hair can be transformed into a desirable shape and style. It must be noted that the hair fibers natural shape is attributed to its internal hydrogen bonds, which can be temporarily altered with the aid of heat and traction.

It would take an English hairdresser (guess who) to introduce a shapely geometric hair cut styled with a blow dryer to replace the roller set bouffant lacquered hair fashions of the time. What had taken an hour to create could now be achieve in minutes with a style cut and blow dryer. This was followed by the “dry look” for men and the blow dryer became the must have new styling tool.

Today’s modern blow dryers are a streamlined thing of beauty with all the “bell’s and whistles” you’d expect in the 21st century. The ultra light slim, pro-style handle is ergonomically designed to reduce wrist strain. The Tourmaline crystals inside the dryer’s barrel send out negative ions (good stuff) to seal the hairs surface layer and control frizz. Simultaneously, the ceramic far-infrared heat preserves moisture inside the hair shaft for a super shine. The air flow is increased by 40% while the ionic generator breaks up water molecules to further speed drying time. And if time is money, then this bad boy says….ca ching!

If you’re shopping around for a new hair dryer or thinking about trading in your “old clunker” you’ll no doubt be confronted with a wide range of choices and prices. From inexpensive conventional hair dryers made in China that cost ($20-$40) to the top of the line professional dryers ($75 - $200+). While these are geared toward repeated use by professionals, they can be beneficial for personal use as they will no doubt last longer and give you professional results. If you are willing to pay the price for a professional dryer the CHI Pro Styling Dryer made in the USA is well worth the investment.