Wondering, "Why does my hair take so long to dry?" If your hair takes forever to dry (sometimes hours or even most of the day), it’s natural to wonder why. The truth is, the answer isn’t always simple. How long your hair takes to dry depends on multiple factors, including thickness, texture, porosity, and even the environment. While going about your day with damp strands can be frustrating, it’s not always a bad sign. In fact, it can sometimes indicate that your strands are healthy and well-moisturized.
Keep reading to learn the main reasons why your hair takes so long to dry, plus tips and tricksto help speed things up when you’re short on time.
There are several reasons your hair takes forever to dry. From hair thickness to porosity, your unique strands' characteristics affect how much water your mane holds onto—and how quickly that moisture evaporates. Let’s look at the main factors that can influence drying time.
Thicker and longer strands naturally take more time to dry because they hold more water. Someone with fine, short hair may notice their strands are dry in under an hour, while longer, thicker hair can take two hours or more. So, it’s completely normal to feel like your hair takes forever to dry when it’s waist-length or especially thick.
Curly and coily textures tend to retain water longer than straight or wavy hair, so if you’re asking, "why does my hair take forever to dry?", your curl pattern is often the answer. The bends and spirals in the hair shaft make it harder for water to travel down and evaporate, so the curlier your hair, the longer it might take to dry.
Density refers to how many individual strands you have on your scalp, and it plays a huge role in how long hair takes to dry. The higher the density, the more water your mane can hold, which means drying time increases significantly. If your hair takes forever to dry, it could be because you have dense hair with more strands to release moisture from.
Porosity is your hair’s ability to absorb and retain water, and it explains a lot about why your hair takes so long to dry. High porosity hairdries fast because it absorbs water quickly and loses it just as fast. Low porosity hair dries slower because the cuticle is tightly packed, making it harder for moisture to enter but also harder for it to leave once it’s absorbed.
You can test porosity by using the water glass method: Place a shed strand in water. If it sinks, you likely have high porosity. If it floats, you may have low porosity.
Your surroundings play a big role in why your hair takes so long to dry. High humidity slows down evaporation, while dry, warm air speeds it up. Temperature and airflow also matter, so how long hair takes to dry can change with the seasons. Strands dry faster in the summer than in cooler, damp climates.
While genetics and environment play a big part in drying time, there are steps you can take to help your hair dry more quickly. Here are some tips.
Conditioner nourishes your strands and smooths the cuticle, which helps repel excess water. This makes your hair less waterlogged, allowing it to dry faster. Pair the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Shampoo with the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Conditioner for bouncy, hydrated strands that dry more efficiently. This duo is infused with hyaluronic acid to replump and rehydrate dry hair, leaving it soft, shiny, and lightweight.
Instead of rubbing your hair with a bath towel, which can cause frizz and breakage, opt for blotting it with a microfiber towel or an old cotton t-shirt. These materials absorb excess water without roughing up the cuticle. This small switch speeds up air drying while keeping your strands smoother.
Rather than waiting for your hair to dry before applying your leave-in conditioner or hair treatments, apply products immediately after towel-drying your hair for better and more even absorption from roots to ends, especially if you have low-porosity hair. This will allow your hair to air-dry with less frizz and flyaways and sometimes even help speed up the process.
A great product to add to your routine when your hair is still damp is the L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Moisture 21-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner. This spray provides up to 450°F heat protection while moisturizing, priming, detangling, and nourishing your hair. It will also help with frizz and add shine for a great hair day.
Before going in with a blow-dryer and brush, use your fingers to gently rough-dry your strands. This means separating your hair into sections and using the dryer to remove excess moisture before styling. Always prep with a heat protectant, such as the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Heat Slayer Leave-In, a lightweight, heat-protecting formula that defends against humidity and keeps hair sleek without weighing it down.
If your hair takes an unusually long time to dry, even after making adjustments to your routine, it could be a sign that something else is at play. Product buildup, for example, can impact how your hair retains water. If you suspect you're dealing with build-up, try adding a clarifying shampoo to your routine once per week. Try the L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Clarifying Shampoo with Antioxidants, which gently removes buildup without stripping color to leave hair feeling refreshed and lightweight. This sulfate-free formula is enriched with antioxidants to help protect hair from environmental damage while maintaining shine and softness. Alternatively, reach for a clarifying pre-shampoo treatment, such as the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Pure Oil-Erasing Serum, which contains salicylic acid and helps remove up to 100% of stubborn scalp residue.
Sometimes, healthier hair holds onto water better, which can extend drying time. Smooth cuticles seal in hydration more effectively, which means your strands stay moisturized longer.
For very dense, thick, or curly hair, it can take up to four hours or more to fully air dry. Still, if it’s consistently taking that long, consider whether you have product buildup or if you need to adjust your routine to help your hair dry more quickly.
Does low porosity hair dry fast, or does high porosity hair dry fast? The answer depends—but in general, low porosity hair takes the longest to dry. Its tightly packed cuticle makes it resistant to water entry and slow to release moisture once absorbed. Unlike high-porosity hair, which absorbs and loses moisture quickly, low-porosity hair keeps water trapped, so drying can take hours.
High porosity hair absorbs water quickly, but loses it just as fast. Signs include frizz, dryness, and hair that feels rough to the touch even after moisturizing. Since high porosity hair dries fast, you may notice your strands feel dry again not long after washing.
Next Up: Which L’Oréal Shampoo Is Right for Your Hair?
Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris
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