Heat Gun Vs Hair Dryer What Is The Difference

A heat gun is intended for industrial use, like getting rid of paint and molding plastics. So, it cannot be replaced with a hair dryer. It may cause severe damage to hair and scalp if used on hair. This article gives you details on how a hairdryer works and why a heat gun should not be used for hair. Read on.

How Does The Hair Dryer Work?

A hair dryer has a motor-powered fan located at the back of the device. When switched on, this fan intakes air, which passes over a heating resistance coil and heats up. This hot air is then let out of the front exit point.

The heat gun also has a similar mechanism. However, it has a completely different application from that of a hair dryer. Read on to know the basic differences between them.

Hair Dryer Vs. Heat Gun: The Basic Difference

As the hair dryer comes nowhere close to the temperature range of a heat gun, it is clear that the latter is only meant for heavier jobs.

Can You Use Both For The Hair?

You cannot use a heat gun on your hair. The hair dryer is designed to style and dry the hair. Its temperature control settings are ideal for hair styling and maintenance. A heat gun is not designed for hair drying purposes. While it can reach a minimum temperature of 100°F, it is not suitable for the scalp and hair. If heat is blasted on wet or damp hair, it will heat up the water in the hair, causing it to boil. This cooks the hair from the inside out, burning the hair internally before the cuticle lifts and the water can escape in a steam. Electrical safety is an important consideration when using a corded heat gun compared to handheld ones. This is because it lets out concentrated hot air, unlike a hair dryer that spreads hot air evenly. The concentrated hot air can severely damage the hair and burn the scalp. Concentrated hot air lifts the cuticle straight out, not just a little bit like a blow dryer. It leaves the hair damaged, frizzy, and completely open so that no moisture stays in it at all. Here is a comparison between both the devices for a better understanding.

Comparison Between Hair Dryers And Heat Guns

Excessive heat can damage the hair shaft, affecting the hair quality. Read on to know how.

Effects Of Heat Damage On Hair

Excessive heat can make the hair dry and rough (1). Blowing Hot air can penetrate the hair cuticle, reaching the cortex (inner layer). This can weaken the hair structure, affect the hair color, and may cause hair breakage.

How Safe Is Using A Hair Dryer?

Too much of anything is bad. Excessive hair dryer use on high heat settings can cause dryness and make the strands brittle, leading to hair damage. However, blow drying is a better option than air drying. This is because leaving the hair damp for too long can damage the hair cell membrane complex and alter the natural hair color. Using a hair dryer at a distance of 15 cm with continuous motion can cause less damage (1). Charukshi Wijesinghe, a blogger, recounts the hair loss she experienced and points out what she did to stop it on her personal blog: “I rarely use my dryer and flat iron now, and trust me, I feel my hair has become so much stronger and healthier (i).”

Bottom Line

What can I use instead of a hair dryer? Instead of using a dryer, you can try different ways to air-dry hair or use a micro fiber towel. How long can you run a heat gun? You shouldn’t keep a heat gun on for too long as it heats up quickly and reaches high temperatures fast. Can you use a hair dryer as a heat gun to remove paint? Yes, a hair dryer can remove paint instead of a heat gun. As they do not emit high heat temperatures, they may take longer to remove the paint than a hot air gun.