A few years ago, I used to do something like this: I would schedule my laundry on days I did laundry — after I showered, while my hair was still dripping, I would use a warm cloth fresh out of the dryer. I would continue my daily routine as usual, but I would always experience a lot of hair fall. My hairstylist would eventually tell me that my hair was also breaking a lot. I would list the many hair-strengthening treatments I’d been testing — bonding repair masks, anti-frizz serums — thinking I couldn’t possibly be doing anything wrong. “So how do you dry your hair?” she once asked. In response, after explaining in detail the way I use bath towels, she stopped me and said I should use microfiber towels instead.
You might not have thought that changing up your blow-drying technique would make such a big difference, but it can actually make or break your mane; “Microfiber towels are towels made from tiny synthetic fibers (even thinner than a human hair),” celebrity colorist and Rita Hazan Salon founder Rita Hazan told me via email. According to Hazan, using one regularly can prevent breakage and reduce stress on wet hair.
Askume’s Favorite Towel
Editor’s Favorite: Crown Affair Hair Turban, $45
Absorbent cloth: Aquis Flip Hair Wrap Towel, $50
Trichologist Approved: Act+Acre Microfiber Towel, $30
Soft fabric: Volo Beauty Salt White Hero Hair Turban, $44
Shab Caspar, a New York City-based trichologist and founder of hair care retail platform Leona.co, explains it this way: Microfiber’s soft and delicate structure makes it gentle on the hair’s cuticles, helping to reduce friction, frizz, and breakage. On the other hand, traditional towels have a firmer texture and can damage your hair’s delicate cuticles when used to dry your hair. Even air drying isn’t a good solution, explains Caspar: “Air drying your hair can cause damage.” Over long periods of time, “depending on hair thickness and porosity, it can even lead to wet fatigue, where the hair swells with excess moisture,” she adds, “causing the top layer of hair to dry faster than the hair underneath, causing the hair to dry faster and lead to uneven texture when fully dried.”
When I first used the towel, I noticed an immediate improvement in the look and feel of my hair. As Kasperl and Hazan said, when I use my routine — clarifying shampoo, then hydrating shampoo, then deep conditioner — simply by removing my usual washcloth, my hair becomes smoother and slicker. The fact that my hair dries faster is an added bonus — with the towel firmly placed on my head, all the excess moisture is immediately absorbed instead of dripping down my back from my freshly washed hair. Most towels have some sort of fastener or elastic that holds the hair in place, which is another advantage that sets it apart from regular towels.
Simply pat your hair dry with a microfiber towel to absorb excess moisture, then wrap your hair in the towel before styling; “Putting your hair in a microfiber towel for five to 10 minutes not only helps eliminate excess water, but also promotes hydration, enhances hair’s natural texture and adds moisture, especially for dry hair types,” explains Casper. “It may seem counterintuitive, but microfiber towels can help keep your hair from drying out too quickly and losing all of its moisture.”
While towels are easy to use, our experts stress that proper towel care is key. “Learn how to most effectively care for and wash the towels you choose to purchase so they stay fresh and last longer,” says Hazan. Some towels, like Aquis, are made of denser polyester, which retains more moisture and may require more frequent washing than towels like Crown Affair, which features a lighter-weight wash cycle. Which one you choose is just a matter of personal preference—so far I like the latter the best.
When I use microfiber towels as part of my cleansing routine, I feel more confident going in for my next hair appointment. My stylist noticed an improvement in my hair (obviously less tangles and breakage!) without my instructions. In my opinion, that’s a win!
Shop Askew’s favorite towels here, below.
Meet the experts
Shab Caspera is a trichologist in New York City and the founder of hair care platform Leona.
Rita Hazan is a celebrity hair colorist (whose clients include Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, and Aubrey Plaza) and the founder of Rita Hazan Salons.
