The secret button on your hairdryer that’ll make your hair look so shiny – and it holds styles in place
DID you know that your hair-dryer has a secret button designed to give you smoother and shinier hair? Us neither.
According to celebrity hairstylist Michael Douglas, using the method will also help your hair style hold in place for far longer.
Officially named the cool shot button, it will look different on every hairdryer and be in a different place.
But a good rule of thumb is to look for a blue button or snowflake symbol on your gadget.
For example, on the Dyson AirWrap it’s built into the right-hand power switch, so you just need to slide it up and release to set your curls.
The cool shot button is specifically there to cool down the hair and set it – and it should be the last step in your hair drying routine.
Michael, who has his own range of hairdryers, compared hair to glass to explain how the button works.
“When you heat up glass, it becomes soft and malleable,” he said in a TikTok tutorial.
“And then when you cool it down, it becomes harder and falls into the shape that you want it to be in.
“It’s the same kind of theory with hair.”
After you’ve styled your hair using the hot air setting of the hairdryer, you can switch to the cool shot button to help set the style.
Cool air helps to lock the hair follicles in place, making your hairstyle last longer.
So, if you’re drying your hair wrapped around a blow dry brush, your curls will set in the shape of the brush, Michael says.
What’s more, cool air helps to close the hair cuticles, which can result in smoother and shinier hair.
It also helps to reduce frizz and static, giving your hair a polished finish.
High heat can cause the pigments to fade or discolour
Michael Douglas, hairstylist
If your scalp is feeling overheated from the warm air, you can also use the cool shot button to provide relief and prevent discomfort.
“No matter your hair type, exposing your hair to excessive heat is going to damage your hair,” the experts at Pump Haircare added.
“By using the cold air setting on your hairdryer, your hair won’t become excessively dry and prevent frizz from happening.
“If you are prone to frizzy hair, you can also try incorporating an anti-frizz spray to help tame any flyaways in conjunction with drying your hair on the cold air setting.
“If you have recently colour-treated your hair, using cold air can help maintain your hair’s vibrancy.
“This is due to exposure to high heat that can cause the pigments to fade or discolour.”