The Right Way to Blow Dry Hair Wigs and Extensions

Blow-drying your wig or extensions doesn't have to mean sacrificing softness or texture. The key is adjusting your technique based on the type of hair you're working with.

Straight, waves, and curls of wigs all react differently to heat and air flow. Once you learn how to treat each hair type, you can dry and smooth it without excessive heat.

Straight wigs are generally the easiest to blow-dry and style.

After removing excess water, divide the hair into sections. Use a paddle or round brush to gently smooth each section while directing the dryer from the roots toward the ends.

Keep the dryer moving and avoid repeatedly passing over the same section. Finish with cool air to help smooth the finished look.

Best technique: Brush downward while following the brush with the dryer.

The goal with wavy wigs is to dry the hair without brushing out its natural movement.

Use your fingers to gently arrange the waves and consider a diffuser if you want to maintain the existing pattern. Keep the airflow low to moderate and avoid constantly running a brush through the hair.

Best technique: Use gentle airflow and minimal manipulation to preserve the waves.

Curly hair requires extra caution while blow-drying.

Use a diffuser as it will help distribute the air without focusing heat on any one section. Carefully collect the sections of curls in the diffuser and let them dry slowly.

Do not brush the dry curls as it may cause frizzing.

Best technique: Low airflow, moderate heat, and a diffuser to maintain definition.

For kinky or coily wigs, work in small sections and avoid rushing the drying process.

A concentrator nozzle can help direct airflow when stretching or smoothing the hair, while a diffuser can be useful when you want to maintain the natural texture.

Use gentle tension if you're working with a brush and avoid pulling aggressively through the hair.

Best technique: Small sections, controlled airflow, and gentle handling.

You don't need maximum heat to get your wig or extensions dry.

As a general guide:

Always keep the dryer moving and several inches away from the hair. If your dryer has a cool-shot button, use it at the end to finish the style.

It isn’t necessary to have an expensive dryer to blow-dry hair wigs and hair extensions. Some features that should be considered when choosing a dryer include varied heat and speed settings, cool-shot button, and attachments like the concentrator or diffuser. Some of the best reviewed hair dryers currently available fit into the following price brackets.

 

A practical everyday option with a ceramic/ionic design, multiple heat and speed settings, and attachments including a diffuser and concentrator. It's a good choice if you want basic control without spending much.

 

With its strong airflow and Nano Titanium technology, this professional-grade dryer provides multiple options for heat and speed control, as well as a cool-shot function. This tool is especially helpful if you need to blow-dry thick or long wigs and extensions.

 

Dyson's Supersonic focuses on fast drying and controlled heat. It has multiple heat and speed settings, ionic technology, and several magnetic attachments, including a diffuser and concentrator. Dyson also uses intelligent heat control that measures air temperature frequently to help prevent excessive heat exposure.

 

Quick tip: For hair wigs and extensions, don't choose a dryer simply because it's more powerful. Adjustable heat, controlled airflow, and the right attachment are more useful than maximum heat.

When blow drying your wig, you don't have to set the heat to its highest point or dry it the fastest way possible. This step requires that you work with the hair rather than against it.

Choose different techniques depending on the type of hair – smooth the hair if it is straight, allow the air to flow gently if it is waved, and use a diffuser if it is curly or coiled.