Repeat after me: Rough bath towels are not for hair.
Dealing with hair that just won’t behave? It might be time to change your hair towel. Let me put you on to one of the easiest, most game-changing swap for your hair routine: using cotton t-shirt hair towels. Trust me, if you’ve got curly hair, damaged strands, or you’re always battling frizz and flyaways, these little lifesavers are about to be your new hair care BFF.
Regular terry-cloth towels? They’ve got those rough nubs that mess with your hair cuticle. Microfiber towels? Well, you know how they're super absorbent? This is because of the large surface area of microfiber. Both of these options rough up your hair cuticle as it dries, leaving you with tangles, flyaways, and less-than-healthy strands over time. Cotton jersey knit t-shirt hair towels gently soak up excess moisture while keeping the friction to a minimum.
The result? Smoother-looking hair (and more defined curls) that will create a better foundation for your styling routine, whether you’re letting it air-dry, diffusing it, or blowing it out (don’t skip the heat protectant, babe), t-shirt hair towels set the stage for styling perfection.
What’s causing your frizz? Why wet hair deserves extra TLC (and what can go wrong!)? And, seriously, why is it time to ditch microfiber? Don’t worry, we’re diving into all of that—and more. Plus, we’ll spill the tea on how to get the most out of your t-shirt hair towel. Sound good? Keep reading, because the right hair towel can totally level up your routine by cutting down on frizz, soaking up just the right amount of moisture, and enhancing your hair's natural texture.
Want to Jump Ahead?
Let's Talk Frizz
As someone rocking dry, high porosity 3c curls, frizz and I are basically besties at this point (though not by choice, tyvm). But over the years, I’ve gone from waging a full-on war against it to embracing frizz as a little extra flair in my look—with a lot of help from a great stylist and some game-changing anti-frizz products, of course. So, when I tell you I’ve tried every anti-frizz product (and TikTok hack) under the sun, I mean it: every. single. one.
Experts agree, your level of frizz depends mostly on your hair type. Knowing your hair type and porosity level makes it sooo much easier to find the best solutions—and it'll make it easier to identify the root causes of your frizz.
Frizzy hair is simply a fact of life, and there is nothing—nothing!—wrong with having a bit of frizz. That said, I know I want my hair to look as smooth and healthy as possible, and if that's you too—keep reading!
Frizz occurs when the hair cuticle is raised, allowing moisture to enter and swell the strands. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including humidity, heat damage, chemical treatments, and even genetics. To combat frizz you'll want to focus on using the right hair products, adopting a proper hair care routine, and, most importantly, choosing the perfect hair towel for wet, fragile hair.
Why Wet Hair Need Extra Love and Care
When your hair’s wet, it’s basically in its delicate, handle-with-care phase. Here's why. When hair is exposed to water, the cuticle—the outermost layer of the hair—undergoes a transformation. The cuticle, which is composed of overlapping scales, swells and lifts as it absorbs moisture.
This lifting action exposes the more vulnerable layers of the hair, making it more susceptible to damage from mechanical stressors such as brushing, styling, or the friction caused by towel drying. This is why it is often recommended to avoid aggressive handling of wet hair; the risk of breakage and split ends is significantly heightened during this time.
Additionally, wet hair loses some of its tensile strength, which is the ability of the hair to withstand tension without breaking. This loss of strength is accompanied by an increase in elasticity. The increased elasticity means that wet hair can stretch further than dry hair, but this also means it is more prone to stretching beyond its limits, resulting in damage or breakage.
Proper care while hair is wet, such as using wide-tooth combs and using a gentle hair towel can significantly enhance the resilience of hair and prevent long-term damage.
Your Hair and the Right Hair Towel: A Love Story
Most people don’t realize just how much damage the wrong towel can do to your hair. Believe it or not, the towel you use can make or break your hair game.
Regular bath towels are made of cotton terry cloth and not designed to be gentle on the hair. While absorbent, microfiber towels have a high surface area. They both cause friction and rough up the hair cuticle, leading to frizz, breakage, and damage.
T-shirt hair towels, on the other hand, are specifically designed to be kind to your wet hair. They are made from jersey knit material that is gentle, lightweight, and absorbent, ensuring that excess moisture is removed without causing unnecessary friction. By using a t-shirt hair towel, you can minimize frizz, retain moisture, and maintain the integrity of your hair.
Switching to a t-shirt hair towel—it’s a small change that makes a world of difference. Not only will it help you achieve smoother hair with less frizz, but it will also protect your hair from damage and promote healthier hair growth over time.
Not convinced yet? Let's look more at microfiber towels vs. cotton jersey knit t-shirt towels.
Types of Hair Towels: Microfiber vs. 100% Cotton Jersey Knit
When it comes to finding the one (hair towel, that is), it usually comes down to two main contenders: microfiber and cotton. Both have their pros and cons, so let’s break it down and see which one deserves a spot in your haircare lineup. Ready to make the call? Let’s unravel the details.
Microfiber Towels and Synthetic Blends
Microfiber towels have been all the rage lately, and it’s easy to see why—they’re made from ultra-fine fibers that are way smaller than traditional cotton fibers, which means they can soak up moisture like a sponge and cut your drying time in half. Plus, they claim to help minimize frizz. Sounds like a dream, right? But here’s the tea: while they may seem like your hair’s BFF, microfiber towels could actually be doing more harm than good. The culprit? Surface area.
Microfiber’s super absorbency comes from its high surface area, but that same feature can also spell trouble for delicate wet hair. The increased surface area means more friction against your hair, which roughs up the cuticle and leads to breakage, split ends, and yes, even more frizz. Over time, that “gentle” microfiber towel you thought was helping might actually be leaving your hair dull, damaged, and less healthy.
So, if your hair deserves to be treated like royalty (and it does!), it’s time to rethink microfiber and opt for something smoother, like a cotton jersey t-shirt hair towel. Not only is it gentler on your strands, but it also gives your hair the care it needs to stay strong, shiny, and frizz-free.
Oh, and here’s a not-so-fun fact: microfiber towels are loaded with microplastics. Yep, those tiny little particles that can sneak into waterways and the environment every time you wash your towel. From this article in The New York Times, a study done a decade ago found that 35% of plastic pollution in our oceans came from microfibers. This comes from the minute threads of polyester and acrylic that make up microfiber. This means microfiber makes up the largest source of plastic pollution in the world.
100% Cotton Towels
Classic cotton towels have been a household go-to for generations—they’re everywhere, from your bathroom rack to your gym bag. But not all cotton towels are created equal, especially when it comes to drying your hair the right way. Traditional terry cloth towels may seem harmless, but their rough texture can cause friction, frizz, and even breakage over time.
Opt for towels made from 100% jersey knit cotton, like a comfy t-shirt. It's all about being gentle and drying your hair without sapping away that precious moisture. These fibers are softer, absorbent, and less likely to cause friction.
If you’re sticking with cotton (and we’re all about that natural fiber life), choose a hair towel made from 100% jersey knit cotton t-shirt material. These towels are gentler on your strands, absorbing moisture without roughing up your hair cuticle. They also keep hair pliable for and can help curls stay defined and combat hair shrinkage.The result? Smoother, healthier-looking hair that holds onto its natural shine and texture.
How to Use a T-Shirt Hair Towel
Choosing the right hair towel is only half the journey to smoother, healthier hair. The real magic happens when you use it the right way—because even the best towel won’t deliver if you’re roughing up your strands like you’re scrubbing dishes. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back (and your hair) with some pro tips to help you make the most of your towel.
Blot, Don’t Rub: When your hair’s soaking wet, it’s at its most fragile. Instead of rubbing your towel back and forth (ouch, hello frizz and breakage!), gently blot or squeeze sections of your hair to soak up excess water.
Flip It and Wrap It: For a quick-dry method, flip your hair forward, drape the towel over it, and twist it into a turban. Bonus points if you let it sit while you do your skincare routine or sip your morning coffee.
Scrunch and Plop: Curly and wavy hair babes, this one’s for you! Use your towel to scrunch your curls from ends to roots. It helps define your natural texture without disturbing your curl pattern. Next, you can use your t-shirt hair towel to plop you hair. This is a method to keep curls and waves secure in their natural pattern to enhance volume, definition, and that beautiful bouncy texture.
Check out this video for how to use the OOF! HALO t-shirt hair towel for wrapping and hair plopping!
More Ways to Fight Frizz Like a Pro
While picking the right hair towel is a major win in your battle against frizz, there are even more tricks you can add to your routine to keep your hair looking flawless. Ready to take your frizz-fighting game to the next level? Here's the scoop.
Add Leave-In Conditioner or Hair Oil
After towel-drying your hair, treat it to a little extra love with leave-in conditioner or hair oil. These goodies lock in moisture and keep the frizz at bay while giving your strands some hydration love. Just work a little through your damp hair, focusing on the ends (where frizz loves to sneak up). But don’t go overboard—no one wants greasy hair, right?
Diffuser, Baby!
If you’re a blow-dry girl, you need a diffuser attachment. This magical tool helps evenly distribute the heat, meaning less direct heat and less frizz. Just gently scrunch your hair as you dry it on low heat, and voilà—your curls will be bouncy and retain more of their natural texture.
Say Yes to Satin Pillowcases
Cotton pillowcases? Not so much. They can create friction and mess with your hair while you sleep. Switch to a silky-smooth satin or silk pillowcase instead. It’ll reduce tangles and keep your hair shiny and hydrated, even while you’re snoozing. Sweet dreams, gorgeous hair.
Keep Heat Styling to a Minimum
We know it’s tempting, but heat styling can dry out your hair and leave you with some serious frizz. If you can, embrace your natural texture and skip the heat tools. If you must use them, always prep your hair with a heat protectant spray or serum to keep things smooth and looking shiny and healthy.
Here's to Healthier, Happier Hair
Alright, girlfriend, now that you’ve got all the insider tips for taming that frizz and treating your hair right, it’s time to put it into action! Remember, healthy hair isn’t about perfection – it’s about finding what works for you and giving your hair some extra love. So, go ahead, treat yourself to that perfect hair towel and let your natural beauty shine through. You’ve got this, and your hair will thank you!
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