A Trichologist Shares the Benefits of Using Microfiber Towels for Hair

By now, we all are probably aware of the most common causes of damage to our hair: coloring , bleaching and using heat. All of these can lead to breakage, hair loss, dryness and a plethora of other issues when not treated or taken care of properly. But while these all are potential stressors to our locks, there are others that you may not be aware of—one of those being the type of towel you use to dry your hair. Yep, that’s right, that good ol’ trusty bath towel you’ve used your whole life without a second thought could be causing more harm to your hair than you think. Enter: microfiber towels for hair. This material is much gentler on strands than the standard bath towel, and can even make a difference in how your hair turns out once it dries—and experts agree. Keep reading for insights from a trichologist on the benefits of a microfiber towel for hair, the best microfiber towels to try and more.

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What is a microfiber towel for hair?

If you haven’t heard of a microfiber towel, Anabel Kingsley , Lead Consultant Trichologist and Brand President at Philip Kingsley , is here to break it down for you. “Microfiber towels are towels made of finely woven fibers. As they are lighter, they tend to be gentler on the hair than traditional cotton towels—i.e. they don’t pull on your hair when you wrap your strands in them.” She continues, “Because the surface of a microfiber towel is soft and smooth, they are not as rough or abrasive on the outer hair cuticle as textured towels.”

What is the difference between microfiber towels and bath towels?

Standard bath towels made from cotton are a bit “rougher” and more dense than microfiber towels. They do absorb water well, but not typically as well as microfiber towels. The fabric also can be harsh on our delicate hair, leading to damage.

“Regular towels can be bulky, which can pull on strands if you wrap your hair in them, leading to breakage. Traditional towels often have a textured finish, which can roughen your hair’s protective outer layer, the cuticle,” explains Kingsley. “A damaged cuticle increases hair porosity, reduces shine, causes tangles and weakens strands.”

Microfiber towels, on the other hand, feel soft and sometimes “fuzzy,” almost like a fluffy rug or carpet. They have an incredible ability to absorb water and the fibers are much finer than cotton. There are some microfiber towels that are more on the thinner side, aka they don’t have this fluffy, thick material and are rather just soft and smooth, and then there are others that do have this thicker, fuzzy fabric. Both work similarly to absorb water and dry hair safely.

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Benefits of using a microfiber towel for hair

Now that you know how damaging regular towels can be to hair, let’s go over just how great microfiber towels can be for your locks.

Microfiber towels reduce frizz and friction

Struggle with frizzy, unruly hair? The cause could be the towel you’re using. Thankfully, microfiber towels actually help to reduce friction on your strands, which in turn can reduce frizz.

“Due to their soft and smooth surface, microfiber towels reduce friction and are much less abrasive on your hair cuticle. This minimizes the chances of breakage and frizz formation,” affirms Kingsley.

Microfiber towels reduce breakage

The weight of your towel can take a toll on your strands which can lead to breakage and split ends. However, microfiber towels don’t have this unnecessary bulk that other towels do. Therefore, “as microfiber towels are lightweight, they will not pull on your hair when you wrap them around your head—wet hair is weaker, so it’s really important to be gentle with it,” says Kingsley.

Microfiber towels cut down on drying time

We know using heat can damage our hair, so the less you need to pull out your blow dryer, the better. As mentioned, microfiber towels are much more absorbent than traditional towels, meaning it will dry your hair quicker. This means it can also cut down on how often you need to use heat tools, like a blow dryer.

Microfiber towels can help maintain your curls

Microfiber towels can be beneficial to all hair types, but especially those with curls or coils. “If you have curly or coiled hair and scrunch your hair to dry, microfiber towels can help maintain the shape of your natural curl pattern,” Kingsley tells us.

The best microfiber towels for hair

Ready to try out a microfiber towel for hair? Keep scrolling for our top picks.

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Aquis Hair Wrap

This is Kingsley’s pick, Aquis Hair Wrap . She says, “I really like Aquis towels and have a couple of these in rotation at home. They come in two designs to suit different hair lengths and are lightweight and soft.”

Voesh Hair Towel and Scrunchie Set

Microfiber towel and scrunchie duo in one? Sign us up! Voesh Absorbent Hair Towel and Scrunchie Set is one of the softest fabrics I’ve ever felt, and feels like a blanket for your hair. It’s super lightweight and gentle on hair, and the scrunchie is also protective on your strands.

Curlsmith Microfiber Towel

If you’re looking for a microfiber towel for curly hair, look no further than Curlsmith Microfiber Towel . A microfiber towel specifically made for wavy and curly hair, it does a great job at absorbing water without ruining your curls and causing frizz.

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