Drying thick hair

[scrappydappydoo]

I am one of those people who really doesn’t give a stuff about my appearance - I don’t wear makeup or style my hair - never have so I have no idea about this kinda of thing - so I’m turning to mn for help...(stay with me please)
DD is 15 - she is bothered by her appearance. She has very thick, wavy hair which when she washes she leaves it to air dry as apparently when she dries it with a hairdryer it goes all ‘pouffy’. Normally this isn’t an issue until now - she swims on a school night - comes home washes hair and ‘air dries’ it. She has been offered the chance to do another activity the same night which she really wants to do but doesn’t want to go with wet hair. To me, it is simple - you go with wet hair but we’ve just had a screaming argument because I don’t understand - she’s right I don’t - I can’t believe she’s turning down an opportunity because of wet hair.
Thanks for sticking with me so far - here is where I need help - is there a gadget or product that she can use that will stop her hair going ‘pouffy’ when using a hair dryer?

TLDR - is there a gadget or product that she can use that will stop thick wavy hair going ‘pouffy’ when using a hair dryer?

diffuser definitely. a godsend for my thick curly hair

Yeah .. it's probably curly ... add some curl cream when it's wet and diffuse . Mine is super thick and still takes an hour to dry with it but takes 6-8 to air dry!

To me, a diffuser would make it more puffy? I'd suggest product - what does she use currently? There's lots to choose from but she could start with the old reliable John Frieda Frizz Ease hair serum and see how she finds that?

My hair isn't super thick but has a bit of a natural wave that has to be blow dried or it looks crap.But blow drying with a hairdryer and separate brush takes forever and is awkward to do. I got a Babyliss Big Hair blow-dry brush for Christmas and it has been a game changer. You rough dry with a hairdryer first - very roughly - then dry in sections using the Big Hair brush. I honestly look as though I've been to the hairdresser after I've used it.

Could she plait it after swimming? My DD used to do that.

Does she use any products in her hair OP?
The Cantu & Shea Moisture ranges are good. Like a PP said, use some curling cream & oil and diffuse dry.
I like to use the Aussie oil.

I tie mine up in a messy bun when wet with a dark svrunchy not with tight bands though

I second messy bun as well, can't go wrong

I agree with @Laurie01

I have thick wavy hair and taught myself to french plait during lockdown. It's been a god send as not only does my hair go pouffy when blow dried it also takes an absolute age!

I wash my hair, french plait it while wet (and just blow dry the tips and my fringe), leave the plaits in that day, sleep in them, usually leave them in all day the next day (as long as they haven't gone too scruffy) then on the third day (my next washing hair day) take the plaits out and wear my hair super wavy like a mermaid until washing my hair in the evening sometimes I push it to the fourth day and just tie my mermaid hair up in a ponytail , the fringe usually needs dry shampoo by this point

If she wants to blow dry it straight, I'd recommend and ionic hairdryer with a thin nozzle attachment (assuming she can use her own?) plus a serum.

Thanks all - She doesn’t use any products at the moment.
Messy bun won’t work as she doesn’t want to go with wet hair full stop.

Would she wear a swim cap? Just a plain black one, especially if it’s a sporty swim activity?

Could you get some straighteners? Theres loads on the market with wide plates, not too expensive. Then after swimming, blowdry it completely dry, spray in some heat protection spray and then run the straighteners over it in thick sections to take the puffiness away. I feel her pain, my hair is so thick and takes ages to dry, it can feel like it dictates my activities depending on whether it's a wash day or a dry shampoo day!