Professional Salon Blow Dryers: What Every Licensed Stylist Should Know

One of the most important tools in a licensed hairstylist’s arsenal is a professional quality hair dryer. Choosing the right professional blow dryer can make a huge difference in a stylist’s entire day: faster drying speed, better styling control, and reduced fatigue can ensure faster services, more predictable results, and increased profits for your hair or beauty salon. Therefore, it’s essential for every pro stylist to make this choice wisely and pick the best professional blow dryer for their needs. Professional-grade hair dryers can't really be compared to the ones you find in a typical retail store - along with the advanced technology needed to improve its power, effectiveness, and longevity, a salon hair dryer often comes with a heftier price tag. To help you make your choice, the experts here at Marlo Beauty Supply have gathered some important points to consider when purchasing a new hair dryer for your salon.
 

Choosing Professional Hair Dryers for Your Salon

HAIR DRYER MOTORS: AC vs DC
There are two motor types commonly found in blow dryers: AC and DC. AC dryers are typically used in salons because their powerful airflow dries hair quickly. They tend to be heavier than DC hairdryers because of the larger, more powerful motor, but they also have a longer lifespan.

HAIR DRYER MOTORS: BRUSHLESS MOTORS (BLDC)
Brushless motors (BLDC motors) are a key feature in modern hair dryers, using magnets instead of carbon brushes to deliver a longer lifespan, quieter performance and even faster drying.
 

AC Motor Hair Dryers

• Larger/heavier motor
• Slower RPMs (~1500-2000)
• More durable motor (~700-1200 drying hours)
• Less noisy
• Powerful airflow
• More expensive

DC Motor Hair Dryers

• Smaller/lighter motor
• Faster RPMs - about 5000/6000
• Typical lifespan of 400-700 hours
• Noisier than the AC motor
• Air flow is not as powerful as AC

BLDC Motor Hair Dryers

• Smaller, lighter motor
• Higher RPMs (~10,000-100,000)
• Longer lifespan of ~10,000+ drying hours
• Quieter 
• Efficient, fast-drying airflow
• More expensive
• Modern, sleek design
   

HAIR DRYER WATTAGE
Wattage equals power consumption, plain and simple. The greater the wattage, the greater the power consumption and the more power it draws to run the dryer’s motor. Due to the need for strong airflow and high heat capability, professional hair dryers are typically 1875w or more. Wattage for retail dryers tends to run lower, with these appliances often pulling only 1600w, because they do not need the same power as a salon hair dryer. Higher wattage typically correlates to better quality, but if you plan to run multiple high-wattage professional dryers, make sure that the electrical system in your salon can handle the extra power pull! 

 

HAIR DRYER TECHNOLOGY
Aside from power, there are a number of technologies on the market that can help your professional blow dryer produce faster results and create any style you desire.

Tourmaline: 

Tourmaline is considered the world’s best ionic and infrared generator. By breaking down larger molecules of water so that they evaporate more quickly, tourmaline helps dry hair faster while also retaining moisture so that hair remains healthy and shiny.

Ionic:

Ionic hair dryers break down water molecules for faster drying, but also retains moisture in the hair for healthier, long-term outcomes. By helping to neutralize positively charged ions in the hair, ionic dryers also condition hair and reduce frizz.

Noise reduction:

Technology that reduces noise so hair can be dried quietly at any time. Reduced noise levels in the salon help create a more peaceful, relaxing environment.

Infrared:

Infrared features on professional salon hair dryers provide consistent heat that dries hair evenly throughout, while also preventing the scalp from overheating or drying out.

Temperature Control Chip:

This high end technology monitors the temperature output for the safety of clients’ hair.

Ceramic:

Ceramic hair dryers provide even heat distribution and the heat is very mild so that it doesn’t damage hair.

Cool Touch: 

This technology ensures that the surface of the hair dryer attachments stays cool, keeping hands and heads safe.
 

HAIR DRYER FEATURES AND ACCESSORIES
There are a variety of different features, settings, attachments and accessories available for both professional and retail hair dryers.

Cord Length: 

Professional blow dryers have longer cord lengths to allow for wider range of movement - typically 8’-9’

ALCI safety plug:

"Appliance Leakage Current Interrupter" plugs act as a safety measure to prevent electrical shocks

Dryer Pik/Pic Attachment:

Adds volume at the roots in fine hair or can be used to straighten extremely curly hair by using low heat while gently detangling and stretching out the curl

Barrel Length:

This one’s all about personal preference! Some stylists love to hold a dryer by the barrel, but certain salon dryer models have stubby barrels for concentrated airflow

Cool Shot Button: 

Provides a blast of cooler air to help set styles

Concentrator Nozzle:

Focuses airflow/heat for more precise styling

Removable Filter:

An essential feature of a beauty salon dryer - preventing clogged filters will  optimize airflow, speed drying time, and maximize motor life span
 

Diffuser:

Helps lift and separate hair to boost its natural texture. Dries hair quickly without ruining its style. Helps reduce frizz and improve curl definition

ADDITIONAL HAIR DRYER CONSIDERATIONS

Ergonomics:

A well-built dryer should have a comfortable handle with well placed settings and good overall balance to help prevent hand fatigue. Even a lightweight dryer that’s built without ergonomics in mind can cause undo stress on a pro stylist’s hands and wrists.
 

Warranty: 

Read warranty coverage carefully. Some manufacturer’s warranties don't cover shipping fees, and shipping the hair dryer to the manufacturer and back might cost nearly as much as replacing it outright. By purchasing your professional salon hair dryer from a pro beauty supplier, you are often granted additional coverage by their return policy. Also keep in mind that there are other less-than-obvious ways to void your warranty, such as buying from an unauthorized dealer, failing to unplug the dryer or wrapping the cord around the dryer when storing it.

 

Hair Dryers for Salon Retail

Just as your clients rely on your professional opinion for advice on the best care and hair styling products to maintain their color and keep hair healthy, they also should depend on your salon to provide better-than-standard retail appliances. By offering hair dryers that are better quality than what your clients can typically purchase at big chain retailers, you’re simply providing an additional pro service they’ll appreciate.
 

When purchasing professional blow dryers to retail in your salon, look to a pro-only beauty supplier to offer quality salon appliances at wholesale prices. This way, you can mark them up the average 40% margin and still offer your clients a great deal. This can be a fantastic way to boost retail profits in your salon and build on trusted relationships with your clients.
 

Here is a quick list of key points you can discuss with clients when they are questioning to buy a professional hair dryer or a retail one:

KEY POINTS OF RETAIL DRYERS:

• Less expensive than professional dryers
• DC Motors: Less powerful, but lighter in weight
• Easier to handle: lighter, less "powerful"
• Approximately 500 hours working life

Shop Marlo Beauty Supply’s Selection of Professional Hair Dryers

Here at Marlo Beauty Supply, we pride ourselves on providing salon professionals with not only great options for top quality hair dryers, but with wholesale pricing and educational resources tailored specifically for professionals. 
 

If you have any additional questions about what professional hair dryers to purchase for your beauty or hair salon, contact our expert customer care team for assistance! Additionally, shop our wide variety of hair stylist tools such as professional flat irons, curling irons, trimmers, shears and other salon necessities all at wholesale prices.