Stuck in a hair straightening cycle help!

[BethanyHS]

I've always had fine, dry hair but after years of heat styling and as I approach 40, my hair seems to be drier than ever.
My hairdresser has obviously told me to ditch the heat but if I leave my hair to air dry, it looks worse than heat damaged hair! I have tried loads of products (curling creme, oils, masks, beach wave texture spray), but none seem to help. Redken Extreme has definitely improved the condition so my hair feels soft but always seems to look messy as it is natualrally wavy so I end up going back to the straighteners to try and tame it a bit.

I suppose I'm just looking for suggestions of leave in products to use to avoid heat styling? Or tips to manage dry hair!?

My hair is your hair! I’ve found Dyson air wrap tools transformational - less heat and easy to get a salon blow dry effect with the brush attachments, game changer!

Have you tried a steam pod? I use that on the lowest heat, as well as using heat protection spray

I find it less damaging than my old GHD

Can you tie your hair up and use the straighteners just for special occasions? I’ve done this before and used Olaplex leave in oil, made a massive difference.

I’ve just changed hairstyles, had more layers and need the straighteners a lot less. I have fine hair but lots of it. I used mine more for flicking my hair out, the new style affords my hair to do this with the help of the right brushes when blow drying.

I don't think hairdryers are really counted as the bad heat as they aren't touching the hair like straighteners etc. so stop straightening but carry on using the hair dryer. It's also better to dry your hair than leave to air dry

The Ghd duet blow dry brush has been unreal for my dry coarse thin straggly hair. I feel your pain OP. I have a Dyson air wrap as well (I have about a billion appliances trying to find something that works) but the Ghd one works so much better for my hair.

I totally agree with this!

If you buy direct from Dyson they have a no quibble return guarantee for 30 days so if it doesn’t suit you can just return it for a full refund.

When your hair is hairdryer dry, stick some velcro rollers in and leave them for 15-20 minutes while you do your makeup or get dressed. Works well. I also use Revive hair gel, or John Frieda Frizzease while my hair is damp.

Dare I suggest you try a new hairdresser, that can cut and style your hair so that it falls into a good shape without excessive heat?

This was supposed to quote @VanCleefArpels post about the Airwrap!

The Airwrap has made such a difference to my hair routine. I vary between curly blowout and straight with no need for straighteners on my naturally curly hair.

Dyson airwrap or air straight Both excellent in my fine bleached hair.

Have you tried heatless curls? I have wavy hair, but to get it to look decent "naturally" I have to do a whole styling malarky that I can't be bothered with (and then sleep on silk pillow/in a buff). But once I got the hang of heatless curls it makes it look "done". I still straighten it sometimes, but a lot less.

As others have said, gentle hairdrying should be fine still - especially with Dyson or similar.