Why Your Hair Takes So Long To Dry (And How To Speed Up The Process)

Wash Day can feel extra daunting when you know your hair takes forever to dry. And that can be the case whether you have a bob or Rapunzel-esque strands. We’ve all been there: You’ll find yourself out of the shower only to immediately go on an extended date with your hair dryer. Or maybe you’ve delayed plans so you can wait out a proper air dry. For some, hair drying is so inconvenient that they decide to just not wash as often.

So for those wondering, “Why does my hair take so long to dry?”, we’re here to share some insights. The main culprits are hair thickness, type, and porosity—but even the products you use can affect dry time. Before you dedicate what feels like another decade to hair drying, dive into our tips on speeding up the process. 

How Long Does It Take Hair to Dry?

First, it depends on whether we’re talking about air-drying or blow-drying. Either way, we’ve got your answer.

How long does hair take to dry when air-drying?

If you have fine hair, it can take anywhere from one to two hours to air-dry, while thicker hair can take anywhere from four to six hours. For those with tight, 4C curls, it’s also completely normal for hair to take upwards of a full day for hair to completely dry. 

How long does hair take to dry when blow-drying?
If you have shorter, fine hair, a blowout could take as few as five to 10 minutes. Long fine hair usually takes 30-45 minutes. A blowout for long, thick hair usually takes 40-60 minutes.

And yes, we know these are pretty wide ranges—we’ll explain why it varies so much.

Why Does My Hair Take Forever to Dry?

Before we get into how to dry hair quickly, let’s start with why hair takes long to dry. The good news: Your hair taking a while to dry is a sign of healthy hair, as it often indicates that your hair is well hydrated. Still, you might be able to draw on a bit more patience if you understand what the holdup is—here are a few reasons:

• Hair Thickness 

• Hair thickness refers to the diameter of each strand.

• Thickness is categorized as fine, medium, or coarse. 

• Thicker hair is also heavier, meaning it takes longer to shed moisture.

• Hair Porosity 

• Hair with higher porosity dries faster because water enters and exits it more easily.

• Low porosity hair is harder to saturate, as it clings strongly to water. 

• Low porosity hair also takes longer to dry because strands are coarser. 

• Hair Type 

• Your hair type refers to whether it’s straight, wavy, curly, or coily.

• While wavy and straight hair tend to dry faster, curly and coily textures will take longer. 

• Airflow from a blow dryer often moves through straight to wavy hair more easily.

• Curls and coils can slow down airflow. 

• Hair Density

• Hair density refers to how much hair is on your scalp. So while hair thickness refers to the width of each strand, hair density is the number of strands on your head. 

• Dense hair dries slowly because there are more strands per square inch, and air can't easily flow through as easily.

• Product Application 

• Yes, the products you use affect dry time too!

• Thicker conditioners and leave-ins can hold in more moisture, extending your dry time.

Speed Up the Drying Process 

Here are a few things that can cut down on your dry time.

• Use a microfiber towel like our dual-sided version or a clean t-shirt to dry hair

• Apply a quick-dry spray 

• Always use a heat protectant, like our Brazilian Joia™ Milky Leave-In Conditioner. Not only does it protect  hair from heat up to 450 degrees, but it also detangles to reduce breakage, and fights frizz for up to 72 hours.*

• Use a wide tooth comb with spaced out teeth to help promote airflow

• Section hair when blow-drying

• Avoid heavy products that trap water

• Blow dry your hair on low heat or cool, and if you have curls, use a diffuser

…And remember to have patience! Again, hair that takes longer to dry is healthy hair. Strands that dry quickly may be too porous or slightly damaged. 

FAQs

Why does my hair take so long to dry?

It depends on a number of factors, like hair thickness, length, density, and porosity. 

Does low porosity hair dry fast?
Low porosity hair tends to dry slower, because it’s coarser and more easily clings to water. 

Why does my hair take forever to dry even with a hair dryer?
Hopefully some of these tips help you cut down on dry time! You can also talk to your hairstylist for advice specific to your hair (it’s possible you need a different hair dryer, for instance).

How long does it take hair to dry naturally?

Depending on your hair length and type, it can take anywhere from an hour or two (for fine hair) to 24 hours (for tight curls) to air-dry hair.

Is slow-drying hair a bad thing?

No, it’s not a bad thing—unless you’re in a hurry! That being said, if you’re concerned you may have hair damage, check in with your hairstylist.

What can I do if my hair takes too long to dry?

It could be your towel/ Try using a microfiber towel or T-shirt to dry your hair and see if that helps. Otherwise, try our other tips!