
Modern BLDC hair dryer models provide superior performance over the traditional AC hair dryer. A leading hair dryer manufacturer designed the Dyson hair dryer to cater to individual needs, a standard many a hair dryer factory now strives for. Achieving optimal results requires matching the correct settings and attachments to a person’s specific hair type.
Quick Guide for Your Hair Type:
- Fine Hair: Use the Gentle air attachment on low-to-medium heat and medium speed.
- Thick/Coarse Hair: Select the Styling concentrator with medium-to-high heat and high speed.
- Curly/Coily Hair: Attach the Diffuser using low-to-medium heat and low speed.
- Damaged Hair: Opt for the Gentle air attachment on low heat and low-to-medium speed.
Mastering Your Dyson: Core Settings and Attachments

Understanding the core functions of the Dyson hair dryer is the first step toward achieving salon-quality results at home. The device combines intelligent heat control with a suite of specialized magnetic attachments. This combination allows users to tailor their drying experience precisely to their hair’s needs, ensuring both efficiency and hair health.
Understanding Heat and Speed Controls
The small buttons on the back of the dryer head provide complete control over the temperature and power of the airflow.
The Three Heat Settings Explained
The dryer offers three precise heat settings for different styling needs. Its intelligent heat control system is a key feature for preventing damage.
- The system measures air temperature over 40 times per second.
- It constantly regulates the heating element to maintain a consistent, safe temperature.
- The powerful digital motor produces a high-velocity air jet, which speeds up drying time and reduces the hair’s total exposure to heat.
The Three Airflow Speed Settings Explained
Users can select from three airflow speeds: high for fast drying and styling, medium for regular drying, and low for diffusing. A higher speed is ideal for quickly removing moisture from thick hair, while a lower speed gives more control and helps minimize frizz on delicate or curly hair types.
The Importance of the Cold Shot Button
The blue button provides an immediate blast of cool air. Pressing it after styling a section of hair with heat helps to set the style in place. This technique closes the hair cuticle, which locks in the shape and adds a significant boost of shine for a polished, long-lasting finish.
Pro Tip: Use the cold shot on your roots after blow-drying them upwards. This simple step will lock in volume for a fuller look that lasts all day.
Choosing Your Magnetic Attachment
The attachments for the Dyson hair dryer connect with a simple and secure magnetic system, allowing for quick changes and 360° rotation during styling. Each tool is engineered for a specific purpose.
Smoothing Nozzle for a Sleek Finish
This nozzle delivers a wide, smooth stream of air. It allows a user to dry and style their hair simultaneously, creating a sleek, natural finish without sacrificing volume.
Styling Concentrator for Precision
The Styling Concentrator features a thin, focused blade of air. This design is perfect for controlled, section-by-section styling. A person can shape their hair with a round brush without disturbing the surrounding sections.
Diffuser for Defining Curls
Engineered to disperse air evenly, the Diffuser simulates natural drying. Its long prongs reach deep into the hair to define curls and waves from the root down, all while dramatically reducing frizz.
Gentle Air Attachment for Sensitive Scalps
This attachment diffuses the air to create a cooler, gentler airflow. It is the ideal choice for individuals with fine hair or sensitive scalps, allowing for fast drying at a lower temperature.
Flyaway Attachment for a Polished Look
As a finishing tool, the Flyaway attachment uses the Coanda effect to attract and lift longer hairs to the surface. It simultaneously pushes flyaways out of sight, leaving a smooth, shiny finish.
Guide for Fine or Thin Hair
Individuals with fine or thin hair often face a dual challenge: creating lasting volume while protecting delicate strands from heat damage. The Dyson hair dryer offers a technological advantage for this hair type. Its design prioritizes hair health, which is essential for preventing breakage in fine hair.
Goal: Maximize Volume and Minimize Damage
The primary objective is to build body and lift at the root without causing stress to the hair shaft. The advanced technology within the dryer helps achieve this goal by minimizing common causes of hair damage.
- Extreme Heat Damage: Intelligent heat control measures air temperature constantly. This system prevents the extreme heat that causes breakage and dullness.
- Frizz and Flyaways: The dryer’s focused airflow smooths the hair cuticle. This action reduces the frizz that can make fine hair appear wispy.
- Drying Time: A powerful digital motor produces a high-velocity air jet. This feature enables faster drying, which minimizes the hair’s total exposure to heat.
Prepping Fine Hair for Drying
Proper preparation is the foundation for a voluminous style. A user should start by gently towel-blotting their hair to remove excess water. Next, they can apply a lightweight volumizing mousse or root-lifting spray. They should focus the product primarily at the roots to avoid weighing down the ends. Combing the product through ensures even distribution from root to tip.
Technique for Root Lift and Volume
For maximum lift, an individual can flip their hair upside down. They should direct the airflow toward the roots, using their fingers to gently lift sections as they dry. This technique dries the roots in an upward position, creating a strong base for a fuller look. Once the roots are about 80% dry, they can flip their hair back and continue drying in sections.
Finishing Your Style for Lasting Fullness
After achieving the desired shape and volume, setting the style is crucial. A person should press the cold shot button and aim the cool air at the roots for several seconds. This blast of cold air closes the hair cuticle and locks the lift in place. A light mist of flexible-hold hairspray can provide extra support without making the hair stiff or heavy.
Best Settings and Attachments for Fine Hair
Selecting the correct tools and settings ensures a gentle yet effective drying experience. This customization is key to protecting fine hair.
Quick Settings: Fine Hair
- Attachment: Gentle Air or Smoothing Nozzle
- Heat: Level 1 or 2 (Low to Medium)
- Speed: Level 2 (Medium)
Attachment: Gentle Air or Smoothing Nozzle
The Gentle air attachment is the top recommendation. It creates a softer, cooler airflow, allowing for fast drying at a lower temperature. Alternatively, the Smoothing nozzle provides a controlled stream of air that helps create a smooth finish while still being gentle enough for fine textures.
Heat and Speed: Low to Medium
A user should select low-to-medium heat (setting 1 or 2) and medium speed (setting 2). This combination provides enough power to style effectively without overwhelming fine strands with excessive heat or force, which could lead to flyaways and potential damage.
Guide for Thick or Coarse Hair
Thick or coarse hair presents a unique challenge: it holds a lot of moisture, often leading to long, arm-aching drying sessions and a constant battle with frizz. The powerful motor and engineered airflow of the Dyson hair dryer make it an exceptional tool for taming dense hair efficiently. The goal is to achieve a sleek, salon-quality blowout in a fraction of the time.
Goal: Achieve a Fast, Smooth Blowout
A successful blowout on thick hair hinges on control and technique. By managing the hair properly and using the dryer’s features, a user can transform a difficult task into a simple one. The key is to work methodically from wet to dry for a polished result.
Sectioning Thick Hair for Control
Drying thick hair all at once is inefficient and often results in a frizzy, partially damp outcome. Sectioning is the most critical step for gaining control.
- Divide the hair into four to six manageable quadrants.
- Use clips to secure each section, leaving one down to work on.
- This method ensures every part of the hair receives even heat and airflow, leading to a uniformly smooth finish.
The Downward Airflow Technique
To combat frizz and create a sleek surface, airflow direction is paramount. A user should always point the nozzle downwards, following the hair shaft from root to tip. This technique encourages the hair cuticles to lie flat. For best results, an individual can use a round brush to create tension, pulling the hair taut as they direct the airflow down its length. This process smooths the hair and builds shine.
Using the Cold Shot to Lock in Smoothness
Heat styles the hair, but cool air sets it. After a section is completely dry and smooth, the user should press and hold the cold shot button for 5-10 seconds, aiming the cool air over the same section. This rapid temperature drop locks the style in place, seals the hair cuticle flat, and provides a significant boost of shine for a long-lasting, professional finish.
Best Settings and Attachments for Thick Hair
Using the right combination of power and precision tools is essential for an efficient and effective styling session on thick hair.
Quick Settings: Thick Hair
- Attachment: Styling Concentrator
- Heat: Level 2 or 3 (Medium to High)
- Speed: Level 3 (High)
Attachment: Styling Concentrator
The Styling Concentrator is the best attachment for this hair type. It produces a focused, high-velocity blade of air that is perfect for precision styling. This concentrated airflow allows a user to dry and smooth one section at a time without disturbing the rest of the hair, providing the control needed to achieve a flawless blowout.
Heat and Speed: Medium to High
Thick hair can withstand higher temperatures and requires more power to dry efficiently. An individual should select high speed (setting 3) to quickly remove the bulk of the moisture. Medium to high heat (setting 2 or 3) provides the thermal energy needed to shape and smooth the hair effectively. The dryer’s intelligent heat control prevents damage by ensuring the temperature never reaches an extreme level.
Guide for Curly or Coily Hair

Curly and coily hair requires a gentle approach to maintain its delicate pattern and prevent frizz. The engineering behind the Dyson hair dryer, particularly its Diffuser attachment, provides a specialized solution for enhancing natural texture. The primary aim is to dry the hair effectively while boosting definition and minimizing flyaways for bouncy, healthy-looking curls.
Goal: Define Curls and Reduce Frizz
Success with curly hair means encouraging curl clumps to form and stay intact during the drying process. This requires gentle airflow and controlled heat to avoid disrupting the curl pattern and causing the cuticle to roughen, which leads to frizz. The right technique will lock in moisture, enhance shine, and create a defined, touchably soft finish.
Applying Product to Wet Curls
Product application is a non-negotiable step for defined, frizz-free curls. A user should apply their chosen styling product to soaking wet hair to ensure even distribution and to help curl clumps form. Raking the product through and then scrunching helps encourage the natural pattern. Many curl activators and mousses also offer heat protection.
- The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam: This foam offers strong hold and control, making it excellent for defining curls and taming frizz. It contains aloe and silk protein to condition strands.
- Not Your Mother’s Curl Activation Mousse: A great choice for humid climates, this mousse provides long-lasting frizz control and enhances curl shape. Users enjoy its citrus-jasmine scent and the bouncy curls it creates.
- Bumble and bumble Curl Mousse: This lightweight option gives fantastic hold without a crunchy feel, leaving hair soft. It helps curls last for days with sustained volume and definition.
The “Pixie” Diffusing Method
The “Pixie” method is ideal for creating volume and encouraging tight curl formation.
- Begin by placing a section of hair into the diffuser bowl.
- Bring the diffuser up toward the scalp.
- Turn the dryer on and hold it in place until the section is about 80% dry.
- Turn the dryer off before moving to the next section to prevent frizz.
The “Hover” Diffusing Method
The “Hover” method is a gentler technique, perfect for those looking to minimize manipulation or for looser curl patterns. An individual simply holds the diffuser a few inches away from their hair, moving it around their head. This method “hovers” over the curls, gently drying them without direct contact, which helps to set the style with minimal disruption.
Best Settings and Attachments for Curly Hair
Customizing the dryer’s settings is crucial for protecting the integrity of curly and coily textures.
Quick Settings: Curly Hair
- Attachment: Diffuser
- Heat: Level 1 or 2 (Low to Medium)
- Speed: Level 1 (Low)
Attachment: Diffuser
The Diffuser is the essential attachment for this hair type. It is engineered to disperse air evenly around the curls, simulating natural drying. Its long prongs can reach the roots to add lift while defining curls and waves throughout the hair’s length.
Heat and Speed: Low to Medium
A user should always select low speed (setting 1) and low-to-medium heat (setting 1 or 2). Low speed is critical because it prevents the hair from being blown around, which helps maintain the natural curl pattern and stops frizz from forming. Low heat settings prevent heat damage, a common concern for curly hair, which is often more prone to dryness.
How to Use the Dyson Hair Dryer for Damaged Hair
Damaged hair, whether from chemical treatments, heat styling, or environmental factors, is exceptionally fragile. Its compromised structure requires the most delicate handling to prevent further breakage and moisture loss. The Dyson hair dryer, with its intelligent heat control and specialized attachments, offers a superior method for safely drying vulnerable strands.
Goal: Gentle Drying to Prevent Further Damage
The primary objective for damaged hair is preservation. A user must prioritize gentle techniques that minimize stress on the hair shaft. This approach helps protect the hair’s weakened cuticle layer, retain essential moisture, and prevent the cycle of damage from continuing. The goal is not speed but safety, ensuring hair is dried without causing additional harm.
Why Low Heat is Crucial
High temperatures are the enemy of damaged hair. The hair cuticle is already raised and porous, and intense heat can cause irreversible problems.
- It vaporizes the limited moisture within the hair strand, leading to extreme brittleness.
- It can create tiny fractures along the hair shaft, resulting in split ends and breakage.
- It further degrades the hair’s protein structure, diminishing its strength and elasticity.
Using low heat is a non-negotiable rule for maintaining the integrity of what remains of the hair’s health.
Using the Gentle Air Attachment Effectively
The Gentle Air attachment is specifically engineered for this task. It works by diffusing the airflow and reducing its temperature, creating a softer, cooler stream of air. To use it effectively, a person should hold the dryer at least six inches away from their head. They should keep the dryer in constant motion to distribute the gentle warmth evenly, preventing any single area from becoming too warm. This method ensures the hair dries without the harsh force or intense heat that causes stress.
Sealing the Cuticle with the Cold Shot
After the hair is about 90% dry, the cold shot button becomes an essential finishing tool. A user should gently pass the cool air over each section of their hair. This rapid drop in temperature helps to seal the roughened hair cuticle. A sealed cuticle lies flat, which has two major benefits: it locks in precious moisture and reflects more light, giving the hair a healthier, shinier appearance.
Best Settings and Attachments for Damaged Hair
Protecting damaged hair requires a precise combination of the right tool and the lowest possible settings. This configuration provides the safest drying experience.
Quick Settings: Damaged Hair
- Attachment: Gentle Air Attachment
- Heat: Level 1 (Low)
- Speed: Level 1 (Low)
Attachment: Gentle Air Attachment
The Gentle Air Attachment is the only recommended tool for severely damaged hair. It is designed to be kind to both the hair and scalp. Its ability to lower the temperature while still drying effectively makes it indispensable for preventing further thermal damage.
Heat and Speed: Low
A user must select the lowest heat setting (level 1) and the lowest speed setting (level 1). Low speed prevents tangling and physical strain on weak strands. The low heat setting provides just enough warmth to dry the hair slowly and safely, ensuring the dryer’s intelligent heat control offers maximum protection.
Advanced Dyson Techniques for a Flawless Finish
Once a user masters the basics for their hair type, they can explore advanced techniques to achieve specific, polished styles. The engineering behind the Dyson hair dryer attachments allows for salon-level finishing at home, from eliminating flyaways to creating soft waves. These methods elevate a standard blowout to a flawless, long-lasting look.
Taming Flyaways for a Sleek Look
A perfectly smooth finish is often marred by small, stray hairs known as flyaways. The Flyaway attachment offers a unique solution to this common problem, creating an exceptionally sleek surface without additional heat or products.
How to Use the Flyaway Attachment
This finishing tool leverages a phenomenon called the Coandă effect. Its design features an optimum curve that guides airflow, attracting and lifting longer hairs to the surface. It simultaneously pushes shorter flyaways underneath and out of sight. To use it, a person should select a low speed and low heat setting. They can then glide the attachment down the length of their dry, straight hair, from top to ends, without pressing down. This single pass replicates a stylist’s technique for a super smooth finish.
Best Practices for a Shiny Finish
Proper use of the Flyaway attachment is key to achieving a glossy, professional result. Users should follow several best practices to maximize its effectiveness and avoid common mistakes.
- Only use the attachment on completely dry and straight (or straightened) hair.
- Avoid using it on curly or wavy textures, as it can disrupt the natural pattern.
- Focus the tool on the mid-lengths and ends of the hair, not the roots.
- Ensure hair is fully detangled before use to prevent any snagging.
- Maintain a slight distance from the hair, allowing the airflow to do the work.
Creating Waves and Curls
Beyond a straight blowout, the dryer can also create beautiful, soft waves and curls. This technique relies on using a precision attachment in combination with a classic styling tool.
Using the Styling Concentrator with a Round Brush
The Styling Concentrator is perfect for this task. A user should first section their dry hair. They can take a small section and wrap it around a round brush. Next, they should aim the focused airflow from the concentrator directly onto the hair-wrapped brush. They should hold it for several seconds to heat the section into its new shape.
Pro Tip: For a modern, beachy wave, leave the last inch of hair out when wrapping it around the brush. This creates a straighter end for a more relaxed look.
Setting Your Style for All-Day Hold
Setting the newly formed wave or curl is crucial for longevity. After heating a section, an individual should immediately press the cold shot button. They should continue aiming the airflow at the brush for 5-10 seconds. This blast of cool air rapidly sets the hair’s shape. Once all sections are styled, a light mist of a flexible-hold hairspray will provide hold without stiffness, ensuring the waves last all day.
Achieving professional results with the Dyson hair dryer depends on matching the right attachment and settings to a person’s hair type. A user can unlock their hair’s full potential by following these key principles.
- Fine Hair: A person should focus on lifting the roots. They can use the Gentle air attachment on medium speed for volume.
- Thick Hair: An individual can achieve a smooth finish. They should section their hair and use the Styling concentrator with downward airflow.
- Curly Hair: A user can enhance their natural pattern. They should use the Diffuser on low speed and low heat.
- Damaged Hair: Someone must prioritize hair health. They should always use the Gentle air attachment on the lowest heat setting.
FAQ
Can a user start with soaking wet hair?
A user should towel-blot hair first to remove excess moisture. This practice reduces overall drying time. Starting with damp, not soaking, hair allows for more effective styling and better results from the attachments.
How often should a person clean the filter?
Dyson recommends cleaning the filter at least once a month for optimal performance. A flashing white LED light also indicates when cleaning is necessary. Regular maintenance ensures proper airflow and extends the dryer’s lifespan.
Is the Flyaway attachment effective on curly hair?
No, this tool is specifically for straight or straightened hair. Using it on curly textures can disrupt the natural curl pattern and may cause frizz. It works best as a finishing tool on smooth styles.
What is the primary advantage of intelligent heat control?
The system’s main benefit is preventing extreme heat damage. It measures air temperature over 40 times per second to regulate heat. This protects the hair’s natural shine and strength during every use.
Can someone use the Dyson hair dryer in other countries?
Travel Alert ✈️
No, the dryer is engineered for the voltage of the country where it was purchased. It does not have dual voltage capabilities. Using it with a voltage converter can cause permanent damage to the device.
Why are the attachments magnetic?
The magnetic design allows for quick and secure attachment changes. A user can easily rotate or switch nozzles mid-style without interruption. This feature streamlines the styling process for maximum efficiency and convenience.
How does the cold shot button improve a style?
The cold shot button provides a blast of cool air. This rapid temperature drop achieves two key things:
- It sets a finished style in place for long-lasting hold.
- It helps seal the hair cuticle, which locks in shape and adds significant shine.

