When it comes to hair care, every professional knows that the tools you use can make a world of difference. Two popular tools that often spark debate in salons are the hooded dryer and the steamer. Both have their unique benefits and applications, but which one should you be turning to when styling your clients’ hair? Let’s break down both the hooded dryer and the steamer to see what you should know about them.
How Each One Functions
First up, we need to understand how each one functions. Hooded dryers are a classic option that’s a staple for many hair professionals. It works by circulating hot air around the head, evenly drying your client’s hair, like a more efficient handheld hair dryer.
On the other side of things, we have the steamer. Instead of using dry heat, a steamer emits moist heat, which helps hydrate the hair. It does all this by heating up water into steam and spreading it around the client’s head for maximum coverage.
What They Do For Hair
Now that we know how they work, it’s time to learn why we should use each. For the hooded dryer, it’s fantastic for setting styles, especially when using rollers or other styling tools. It helps lock in the structure and shape you’re aiming for. Plus, it’s great for multitasking in the salon—clients can sit under the hood while you work on another client. However, it’s worth noting that prolonged use can sometimes lead to dryness if proper moisturizing treatments aren’t used.
Steamers shine when it comes to hydration and treatment absorption. The moist heat from the steamer opens up the hair cuticles, allowing conditioners and oils to penetrate deeply. This makes hair softer, shinier, and more manageable. It’s particularly beneficial for clients with natural hair or those who frequently use heat styling tools. But keep in mind, while it’s excellent for treatments, it’s not suitable for setting styles.
How Quickly They Work
Of course, an important thing to note is that time is of the essence in many bustling salons, so you should be aware of how long each treatment takes. A hooded dryer generally takes longer to achieve results because it’s designed to dry and set the hair at a moderate pace, which protects from heat damage. Depending on the thickness and length of the hair, this can range from 30 minutes to over an hour. It’s perfect when you want to ensure a style is locked in and will last until the client’s next visit.
In contrast, steamers work relatively quickly. A typical steaming session lasts about 20 to 30 minutes, making it an efficient option for deep conditioning treatments. The quick infusion of moisture and nutrients leaves the hair feeling rejuvenated in less time, allowing you to turn over clients faster while still delivering top-notch care.
Which Should You Get?
As you can see from this short exploration of hooded dryers and steamers, these machines serve very different functions—and depending on your salon, it might be beneficial to get both. Regardless of what you decide, Keller International is here to help with our selection of salon hair dryer chairs. These will work great with both hooded dryers and steamers, so pick out the one that fits your décor best.