Smarter: Which Is Better for Your Hair, Blow-Drying or Air-Drying?
Do you blow-dry your hair after you wash it? I do, but almost 70 percent of the participants in our Twitter poll said they don’t. This week I’m looking into which is better for you, blow-drying or air-drying. Also in this issue: How to prevent slips this winter, and the five most reliable car brands.
THE BIG STORY:
‘Hairy Styles’One of the biggest culture shocks I experienced moving to the States has to do with the hair dryer. Many Americans I know, including my partner, don’t use a blow-dryer. Instead, they prefer to air-dry their hair after they wash it.
That, to me, has never been an option. I grew up in a household where you would get yelled at if you walked around with wet hair. My dad’s reasoning was that you had to blow-dry your hair immediately after washing it or risk getting a headache. And now whenever I see my partner puttering around the apartment with dripping wet hair, I yell at him as well. It’s all come full circle.
We’ve had a long-standing debate over hair drying. For one, will you really get a headache if your hair is wet for a long time? Also, which method is actually better for your hair, i.e., which will cause your hair less damage—blow-drying or air-drying?
This is what doctors told me.
THE GOOD STUFF
These are the five most reliable car brands, according to our survey data on over 300,000 vehicles.
HACK OF THE WEEK
Sixty percent of people take vitamins, minerals, and other supplements on a daily basis, according to a 2022 nationally representative Consumer Reports survey.
But do these supplements actually work? Here’s a quick breakdown of what are said to be the benefits of some of the most popular supplements out there and what the evidence actually says.
🐟 Fish oil
Why it’s taken: Some people take fish oil to improve their memory because they believe it can reduce inflammation in the brain and improve cognitive processes.
Does it actually work? Fish oil does contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are anti-inflammatory, and some research has linked higher levels of it with better brain health. However, at least one study has found that taking fish oil supplements did not lead to improved cognition.
🦴 Calcium
Why it’s taken: Calcium can help strengthen bones, and low levels of it can lead to bone loss and fractures.
Does it actually work? It’s true that calcium can help reduce bone loss and the risk of fractures in older adults. But some research suggests that high levels of supplementation may increase the risk of heart disease, so it’s safer to get calcium from food such as sardines, leafy greens, and dairy.
You can read more about our investigation into the health claims of other popular supplements here.
You might also be interested in this: 10 supplements you should always avoid.
MUST-READS OF THE WEEK
👣 How to Prevent Slips and Falls This Winter
“Take short, flat steps, like a penguin.”
💧 How to Get the Most Out of Your Water-Saving Washing Machine
And how to fix pesky washer problems.
🩸 Best Blood Pressure Monitors for $50 or Less
Plus, our take on the best time to take your blood pressure.
READER'S FEEDBACK
Some TikTok users have asked us this question: Should you use vinegar to clean your dishwasher? Rich Handel, CR’s dishwasher detergent tester, says no. He advises against it because the vinegar might eat away at the rubber gaskets in the dishwasher.
A Smarter reader recently wrote in: “Your expert must not live in an area with extraordinarily hard water! I’ve been using vinegar to prevent serious mineral deposit ‘spotting’ on glassware for many years and see no deterioration of gaskets, as he cautions.”
Here’s a little bit of context for our answer. Some dishwasher manufacturers recommend vinegar for cleaning, while others warn against using anything but a specific cleaner, Rich says. Because it really depends on the machine, the best thing to do is to consult your owner’s manual. And in the absence of that, we recommend not using vinegar.
"We got a hairy situation here."
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