Why Do Hairdryers Need a Cold Air Function?

The latest-generation hairdryers have so many additional features that upgrading to a more advanced model can be challenging. To keep things simple, some buyers prefer to use only the features they are accustomed to from their previous-generation hair dryers. As a result, they miss out on the opportunity to upgrade their hair care routine.

One such button, more familiar to professional hairdressers, is the cold shot. Since there is a persistent myth that cold air flow is useless for drying hair, many simply ignore it. In fact, a cold air stream is an essential part of proper styling and hair protection. If you discover its secrets, your hair will become healthier and shinier, and your beautiful hairstyle will last much longer.

How the Cold Shot Function Works

The cool setting on hair dryer appeared not just as a design element or a way to somehow outperform the competition. It was incorporated into hair dryer mechanics in the second half of the 20th century. The cool shot was needed to perform professional-level styling functions in high-end hair salons.

Hairdressers knew well how hair reacts to hot and cold air. Alternating between different temperature modes was the secret of their masterful work:

Hot or warm air makes hair more flexible and, therefore, more manageable. This is precisely the hair’s condition necessary for creating a beautiful hairstyle. The cuticle opens under the influence of hot air, allowing the hairdresser to change the hair structure easily.
Cold air, on the other hand, closes the cuticle, securing the new structure. Therefore, it is essential for fixing the hairstyle’s shape and volume. If, after styling your hair with a warm air stream, you don’t set it with a cold one, even the most charming hairstyle will soon lose its shape, as the hair will return to its usual volume and position.

The cold shot button mechanics
Hairdryers switch between hot and cold air settings instantly by pressing a single button. Typically, it’s located under your thumb so you can press it automatically. In this case, as soon as you activate the cool shot button, the hairdryer’s heating element will immediately turn off. The airflow will cool, but will remain as intense as you set it in the hairdryer’s settings.

It’s important to note that this feature doesn’t function as a heat reduction. Activating the cool shot button bypasses the heating element, allowing for a truly cool stream.

Benefits of a Cold Air Hair Dryer

Budget and older hair dryers don’t have a cool shot function. Temperature and airflow speed are controlled by a single switch in these models. So, if you want hot air, the airflow speed will be at its maximum. If you reduce the speed, the airflow will be cooler. So, when choosing a new hair dryer, you might wonder whether the cool shot button is necessary. Or is a cheap hair dryer without this feature sufficient? To answer this question, let’s break down the benefits of a cool shot in hair dryer.

Good hairstyle hold
Drying your hair with hot air allows you to create beautiful curls of any shape. Hair in these conditions is relaxed and pliable, allowing you to express any styling idea. Once you’ve achieved your desired shape, you need to lock it in to prevent the curls from falling apart.

If you turn on the cool air flow, the strand of hair will remain in the desired position. Furthermore, you will achieve a long-lasting effect and will be confident that your hairstyle looks perfect.

Protecting the hair structure
A healthy hair structure directly impacts its strength. Constant exposure to hot air can weaken this structure, causing hair to become brittle and even fall out. This occurs because of the specific reaction of the hair’s protective outer layer, called the cuticle. It consists of tiny scales that overlap like tiles. When exposed to hot air, these scales open, making the hair more porous.

Cool air, on the other hand, closes the cuticle scales, making the hair stronger. Therefore, it is recommended to finish drying your hair with a cool blast. High-quality AENO hair dryers and stylers are the best option for these purposes. They are equipped with a variety of advanced features, including a cool shot button, that are useful for professional hair styling and home hair care.

Adding shine to hair
Have you ever wondered why some people’s hair is smooth and shiny, while others’ is dull? The reason lies in the cuticle scales. When they open under the influence of warm air, the hair surface loses its smoothness. As a result, less light reflects off the hair, making it appear dull.

When the cuticle scales are closed under the cool airflow, the hair reflects light more. This is why hair appears perfectly shiny even without additional hair care products.

Reduced frizz
Hair with an open cuticle appears excessively frizzy, making it difficult to shape. Furthermore, it can even look untidy because of flyaways. On the contrary, cool air helps smooth hair, leaving your hairstyle looking stylish and perfectly tidy.

Safe drying of fine and color-treated hair
People with fine hair should be especially gentle with their hair and scalp. Proper hair care prevents breakage and hair loss. Frequent hot air drying should be avoided. However, using the cool setting won’t damage your hair; in fact, it will protect it. Therefore, if your hair is fine, use the cool shot setting not only for styling but also for drying.

The same applies to hair treated with chemical dyes. Since they are quite harsh for hair and can damage its structure, use the cool setting to restore it.

Comfort in hot weather
In summer, hair dries quickly, but styling it beautifully without a hairdryer is very difficult. A cool air stream not only helps create the perfect hairstyle but also restores temperature balance. So, after drying and styling your hair with a cool air stream, you will feel fresh and renewed.

How to Properly Use Cool Shot When Drying and Styling Your Hair

Let’s look at how to use the cool shot button on hairdryer when drying and styling hair:

Start drying your hair by removing excess moisture with a towel. This will reduce the time it takes to dry it, which is very important to avoid over-drying your hair. Next, turn on the hair dryer on a warm setting and blast your hair until it’s 80-90% dry. Then, switch to a cool setting to fix your hairstyle.
If you blow-dry your hair with a round brush, use the cool air setting to finish each curl.
If you are blow-drying curly hair and want to preserve your natural curls, use a diffuser with a cool air setting.
For men, cool air helps remove excess volume caused by opening the cuticle. Also, cooling men’s hair helps create the perfect hairstyle that will last all day.

Common Myths About Cool Shot

The cool shot feature was integrated into hair dryers to enhance hair health. However, some myths and misconceptions prevent users from getting the most out of this feature. Here are a few of the most common.

Myth: Cool shot doesn’t dry hair
Truth: In fact, any intense airflow dries hair, but at a different speed:

If you want faster drying results, use hot air, but be careful. Keep the hair dryer at least 6 inches (15 centimeters) away from your head. Move it smoothly from roots to ends, without stopping in one spot for too long.
If you have enough time for styling, choose a moderate temperature setting. This is ideal for daily drying because it’s safer for your hair.
If you want extra protection for your hair, use a cool shot. It does this job more slowly but gently, which will give long-term benefits for your hair health.

Myth: Cool shots aren’t necessary for short hair
Truth: Cool shots are beneficial for hair of any length, as both long and short hair has the same structure. Cool shots close the cuticle, making hair stronger and reducing porosity and frizz. Besides strengthening the hair, this adds shine and brightness.

Furthermore, cool shots are great for holding short hair styling in place. For example, if you prefer crisp hairstyles, this effect can only be achieved with cool shots.

Myth: Cool shots are just a marketing gimmick
Truth: No, this statement is also false. A cool shot is essential for both healthy hair and beautiful, long-lasting styles:

This feature prevents the cuticle from closing, making hair less porous and prone to breakage.
Both warm and cool airflows are important for professional hair styling. Styling is done with a hot airflow, and locking your hairstyle in place can be achieved with a cool airflow.

The Bottom Line

What is the cold setting on a hair dryer for? The answer to this question isn’t straightforward, as blowing cold air accomplishes several things simultaneously:

The cool setting protects the hair structure, thereby strengthening it.
It makes hair smoother, brighter, and shinier.
Cool shot restores hair after overheating, coloring, or any other harsh treatment.
Furthermore, a cold shot helps create the perfect style by locking in shape and volume. With this kind of styling, you’ll feel confident all day long.

Therefore, by purchasing a hair dryer with a cool shot mode, you’re contributing to the health of your hair and its perfect appearance. And if you choose high-quality AENO hair dryers and stylers, you’ll get many other useful features in addition to the cool shot feature that will improve your hair care.