Hairstylist and Educator Sam Villa Shares His Dos and Don’ts for Blowdrying Hair

01/27/2025

While the blow-dry is certainly a staple service offering during my salon appointments, it’s also one that can take a serious toll on a hairstylist’s body if proper posture or techniques are not utilized. Whether it be muscle strains or just general discomfort, prolonged blowdrying sessions can lead to a number of injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis. 

That’s why ergonomics are so important and why industry figures such as Sam Villa, co-founder and chief creative officer of Sam Villa and Global Artistic Ambassador for Redken, are making a case to educate stylists more on the topic. “I’m on a mission this year to expand awareness of ergonomics to help stylists use tools that create seasonally relevant looks without sacrificing the health of their bodies,” he says.

The Tease was lucky enough to hear from Villa about the ways in which stylists can maintain their well-being while carrying out the perfect blow-dry. Keep scrolling for his expert tips.

Dos:

  • Do use round brushes for stretching, smoothing, heat control, and polish. “A thermal brush like the Sam Villa Artist Series Spiral Thermal Brush grabs hair with more tension to stretch and smooth creating beautiful polish,” says Villa. “A thermal brush with a metal core such as the Sam Villa Signature Series Thermal Round Brush conducts more heat for added control and should be used on the mid shaft and ends.”
Image courtesy of Sam Villa Hair
  • Do use the length of the dryer and the pinky that is holding the dryer to help control sections when repositioning the brush.
  • Do let sections cool to lock in hairstyles.
  • Do use a flat brush for straighter hair that needs a bend. “The Sam Villa Signature Series Paddle Brush does not provide as much tension/stretch so it can be used when the goal is just a nice flow to the style,” says Villa. “After using a paddle brush, switch to a Sam Villa Signature Series 9 Row Finishing Brush. Midway down the hair strand, flip the brush to twist the section, let cool and continue wrapping until the ends, let cool and there will be a subtle bend.”
  • Do learn to be ambidextrous when working with hair because switching from side-to-side forces body position to change. “Being able to swap hands that are holding the brush and dryer along with adjusting the nozzle angle, allows the body to continue to work in a natural position while maintaining control of tools,” says Villa. He suggests practicing switching hands with tools while at home every evening as eventually it will become a habit.
Image courtesy of Sam Villa Hair

Don’ts:

  • Do not put the blow dryer nozzle directly on the bristles of a brush. No matter who makes the brush, it will melt sooner or later.
Image courtesy of Sam Villa Hair
  • Don’t hold your brush at a horizontal angle when blowdrying as it tends to be for geometric shapes. Since hairstyles have more movement this season, you’ll want to use a vertical or diagonal brush angle instead.
  • Don’t be afraid to redirect the nozzle whenever your body position changes. “Blow dryers are designed to heat and direct air, yet you still have to concentrate that air flow to work for you and that’s where the nozzle comes in,” says Villa. “As you style each side of the head, your body angle will change so the nozzle direction should change too in order to prevent working in awkward positions.”

    To learn more ergonomic tips and tricks from Sam Villa and his team, be sure to head over to their Youtube channel or book customized education here. And for all things Sam Villa, make sure to follow @samvillahair on Instagram.

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    Camille Nzengung

    Camille Nzengung is a Features Editor at The Tease, where she covers all things hair. You can find her writing about the best hair products, the coolest hair trends, and all the exciting new hair launches. Send her a pitch: cnzengung@thetease.com.

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