When drying your hair after a shower or wash, using the right hair towel is crucial for keeping your strands healthy and minimizing damage.
Not all towels are created equal when it comes to hair health – the material your hair towel is made from can make a big difference.
Certain materials like cotton and terrycloth can cause friction, frizz and breakage if used on wet hair. More gentle, absorbent fabrics like microfiber and bamboo are better options.
Terrycloth Towels
Terrycloth is the most common towel material. It’s made by looping cotton threads to create a woven fabric with piles of loops or nap on both sides.
Pros:
Cons:
While terrycloth works great as a body towel, it’s too harsh and abrasive for wet hair. The loops can snag onto strands and cause damage. Most experts recommend avoiding regular terry towels for hair drying.
Cotton Towels
Cotton is a popular choice for bath and hand towels. Cotton towels are made from cotton fibers woven into a smooth, flat fabric without any loops or piles.
Pros:
Cons:
While better than terrycloth, regular cotton towels are still not ideal for delicate wet hair. When rubbed vigorously to dry hair, the flat woven fabric can damage cuticles and cause frizz. However, gently patting hair with a cotton T-shirt is less harmful than using a bath towel.
Microfiber Towels
Microfiber hair towels are made from extremely fine synthetic fibers that are tightly woven into a lightweight, quick-drying fabric.
Pros:
Cons:
With a smooth, polished finish, microfiber causes less friction against hair strands, preventing breakage of wet hair. The proprietary microfibers rapidly wick moisture without roughing up delicate cuticles or stripping natural oils. This makes microfiber the top choice towel material for hair drying.
Key Takeaway: Microfiber hair towels made of ultra-fine synthetic fibers are the overall best towel material for wet hair. The super absorbent, non-abrasive fabric dries hair smoothly without damage or frizz.
Bamboo Fiber Towels
Bamboo towels are made from natural bamboo pulp fibers, an eco-friendly and sustainable material.
Pros:
Cons:
While not as smooth as microfiber, bamboo fiber is still gentler on wet hair than cotton terrycloth. The highly porous material also absorbs water well and dries hair faster with less friction. Overall, bamboo is a good middle-ground option between regular cotton and pricier microfiber.
Silk Towels
Some high-end hair towels are wrapped in a layer of antimicrobial silk over microfiber fabric.
Pros:
Cons:
The slippery texture of silk glides over wet hair with no tugging or pulling, preserving the hair cuticle. Silk contains amino acids that can help strengthen hair. However, silk hair wraps don’t absorb water well and need to be paired with a microfiber inner layer. This makes them a pricier option.
Hemp Fiber Towels
Hemp fiber hair towels are made from the fibers of the fast-growing hemp plant.
Pros:
Cons:
While hemp fiber is very sustainable, towels made from these fibers tend to be thicker and rougher than bamboo or cotton. This makes hemp towels too harsh for delicate wet hair overall. Very few hemp hair towels are manufactured.
Jersey Cotton Towels
Jersey refers to cotton fabric made with single knit construction for stretch and softness. Jersey cotton towels are smooth t-shirt material.
Pros:
Cons:
T-shirt towels made of ultra-soft jersey cotton are gentle on hair and can reduce friction and frizz compared to terrycloth. However, the thin knit fabric doesn’t absorb moisture well. These towels work best when layered over microfiber for absorption.
Acrylic Fiber Towels
Some budget hair towels contain acrylic fibers blended with cotton or microfiber to reduce cost.
Pros:
Cons:
Acrylic is a synthetic fiber often added to fabrics like fleece. But when used in hair towels, the plastic-based fibers can generate static electricity and heat that damage hair. Acrylic also feels dry and scratchy compared to smooth microfiber. It’s best to avoid acrylic-blend towels.
How to Choose the Best Hair Towel Material
When selecting a hair towel, the material is the most important factor. Consider these criteria:
No matter your budget or needs, there is a hair towel material that will be gentle, absorbent and perfect for your hair type. Avoid terrycloth and seek out microfiber or bamboo fiber for healthy, damage-free drying.
Additional Considerations for Hair Towels
Beyond fabric, here are some other factors to keep in mind:
Size
If you have long or thick hair, choose an oversized towel or wrap that will accommodate all your hair without falling off. For short styles, compact towels work well.
Fasteners
Look for towels with button straps, twist ties or elastic bands to securely contain your hair while drying. These features prevent slippage.
Special Features
Some towels have satin edging, protective caps or extra-long tails to bundle up hair. Consider options with features to meet your specific hair needs.
Designs
Hair towels come in a rainbow of colors and fun prints to brighten your bath routine.
Cost
Prices range widely from $5 basic cotton towels to $50 for luxury bamboo and microfiber wraps. Set a budget before you shop.
Caring for Your Hair Towel
Taking proper care of your hair towel will help it last longer and maintain its soft, absorbent qualities over time.
Drying Hair with a Microfiber Towel
Using a microfiber hair towel properly is key to reaping all the benefits. Here are some tips:
Proper technique keeps wet hair safe from damage while the microfiber extracts moisture. Less heat is required to finish drying, allowing for healthier styling overall.
Key Takeaway: Wrap damp hair loosely in a microfiber towel without rubbing, allow to sit for 5-10 minutes, then gently air or blow dry remaining moisture using heat protection if needed.
Common Hair Towel Materials Comparison
| Material | Absorbency | Gentleness | Drying Time | Cost | Eco-Friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microfiber | Excellent | Excellent | Very fast | Moderate | No |
| Bamboo | Very good | Moderate | Fast | Moderate | Yes |
| Silk | Poor | Excellent | Slow | Expensive | No |
| Cotton | Good | Moderate | Slow | Budget | Yes |
| Terrycloth | Excellent | Poor | Moderate | Budget | Yes |
| Hemp | Moderate | Poor | Moderate | High | Yes |
This table summarizes how common hair towel materials compare on key attributes. Microfiber leads across categories as the overall best performing fabric, while eco-friendly bamboo also scores well for a natural fiber option. Standard terry and cotton towels lag behind.
FAQs
Are microfiber towels better for hair?
Yes, microfiber is widely considered the best towel material for healthy hair drying. The ultra-fine synthetic fibers create a smooth, non-abrasive texture that rapidly absorbs water without damaging delicate wet hair or causing friction that leads to frizz and breakage.
What material should you not use on your hair?
Avoid using regular terrycloth or cotton bath towels to dry your hair, as the woven loops or rough surface can snag onto hair strands, resulting in breakage, split ends and frizz. Also steer clear of towels containing abrasive acrylic or polyester fibers which can irritate the scalp.
Is bamboo or cotton better for hair?
Both bamboo and cotton are natural fiber materials that can work for hair, but bamboo is superior in absorbency, drying speed and durability over regular cotton towels. Bamboo fibers have naturally antibacterial properties as well. The smooth, tightly woven texture also causes less friction to hair strands compared to cotton terrycloth.
Does microfiber damage hair?
Correctly made microfiber hair towels will not damage hair. The extremely fine synthetic fibers produce an ultra-smooth texture that won’t pull on hair cuticles during drying. Avoid microfiber containing any coarse or stiff fibers that could rough up hair strands. Proper construction is key.
Can you use a t-shirt to dry your hair?
Although not very absorbent, using an old 100% cotton t-shirt to gently pat dry hair can minimize damage compared to rubbing with a cotton terrycloth towel. The soft jersey knit doesn’t pull on hair, reducing frizz and breakage versus regular toweling. Make sure not to scrub too roughly. Layering a t-shirt over a microfiber towel gives the benefits of both.
Conclusion
When it comes to selecting the best hair towel for a healthy drying process, microfiber reigns supreme as the top fabric choice. The proprietary microfibers used in quality hair towels absorb tons of moisture without roughing up delicate wet strands like cotton terrycloth towels do.
Smooth, absorbent microfiber causes less friction, decreases drying time, and minimizes hair damage compared to regular bath towels. This translates to noticeably less frizz, fewer split ends, and visibly healthier, more vibrant hair overall with continued use.
While bamboo and other natural fiber towels can also work, none offer the same friction-free gentleness on hair as featherlight microfiber. Investing in a good microfiber hair wrap designed specifically for haircare will transform your drying routine for the better.
