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Quick answer: To wrap hair in a microfibre towel: flip hair forward over the towel laid flat, scrunch gently from the ends toward the scalp, fold the towel sides in and twist the back section to secure at the nape of the neck. Leave for 10 to 20 minutes. This method, called plopping, reduces frizz and speeds up drying compared to rubbing. Microfibre causes significantly less friction damage than cotton. |
Most people wrap hair in a towel by rubbing it vigorously, twisting it into a turban and hoping for the best. The friction from this method roughs up the hair cuticle, increases frizz and causes breakage over time, particularly in wet hair which is at its most fragile.
The right way to wrap hair takes about thirty seconds to learn. Here it is.
How to Wrap Hair in a Towel: Step by Step
Step 1. Lay your towel flat on a surface or over the edge of a bath, with the long side running horizontally.
Step 2. Flip your head forward so your hair falls down in front of you over the towel.
Step 3. Place the centre of the towel at the nape of your neck, with the towel draped over your head and hanging down in front.
Step 4. Scrunch the towel gently against the hair from the ends toward the roots. Do not rub. The scrunching motion compresses the hair and encourages moisture into the towel without disrupting the cuticle.
Step 5. Fold the sides of the towel in around your hair.
Step 6. Twist the back section of the towel and tuck or twist it to secure at the back of your head.
Leave for 10 to 20 minutes. Microfibre works faster than cotton so you do not need to leave it on for an extended period. Most people find ten minutes is enough to remove the initial moisture dump and leave hair in a condition where air drying is quick and frizz is manageable.
Why Microfibre Is Better Than Cotton for Wrapping Hair
Cotton towels have a looped surface texture. When you wrap hair in a cotton towel, the loops create friction against the hair shaft. Wet hair is particularly vulnerable because the cuticle is raised and more susceptible to mechanical damage. Cotton towel friction is a significant contributor to frizz in curl types and to split ends over time in any hair type.
Microfibre has a smooth split-fibre surface. When you wrap hair in a microfibre towel, the contact between the towel and the hair shaft is smooth rather than abrasive. Moisture is drawn into the fibre by capillary action rather than rubbed out. The result is less frizz, less breakage and faster drying.
Will and Wind microfibre towels use a 200 GSM suede microfibre that is particularly well suited to hair drying because the smooth surface does not snag even fine hair. The same material that absorbs four times its weight in water at the beach pulls moisture from hair efficiently without the rough treatment that cotton delivers.
Wrap Hair Method for Different Hair Types
Straight hair. The scrunching method works well. Leave the wrap on for 10 minutes. The hair will be significantly dryer and can be styled or air dried from that point without the frizz that cotton towel rubbing creates.
Wavy hair. Scrunching encourages the wave pattern to form while the towel absorbs moisture. The key is not disturbing the wave formation during the wrap. Microfibre is particularly good for wavy hair because the low friction does not disrupt the curl as it sets.
Curly and coily hair. The plopping method described above was originally developed specifically for curly hair types. Microfibre is strongly preferred over cotton for this hair type because the curl pattern sets in the wrapped position and cotton friction disrupts it significantly. Leave the wrap on for 15 to 20 minutes.
How Often to Wash a Hair Microfibre Towel
After every two to three uses. Hair towels accumulate product residue, conditioner and natural oils faster than body towels. Cold machine wash, no fabric softener. The towel care guide covers the key care rules that apply to any microfibre product, including the fabric softener warning that most people miss.
Using the Will and Wind Hair Wrap Specifically
The Will and Wind head wraps are purpose-designed for post-swim and post-shower hair drying. They are made from the same 200 GSM rPET microfibre as the travel towel range and sized for comfortable all-day wear rather than the short session the technique above describes. For the full guide on head wraps specifically, the head wraps blog covers sizing, how to secure them and how they compare to a standard towel used for wrapping.
The travel towels also work perfectly well as hair drying towels using the technique above. The 160cm x 80cm dimensions give plenty of towel to wrap even thick, long hair comfortably.
FAQs
What is the correct way to wrap hair in a towel?
Lay the towel flat, flip hair forward onto it, scrunch from ends to roots without rubbing, fold the sides in and secure at the back. Leave for 10 to 20 minutes. Do not rub. This method is called plopping and it reduces frizz significantly compared to conventional towel drying.
Is it better to wrap hair in microfibre or cotton?
Microfibre. The smooth surface causes significantly less friction on the hair shaft, particularly when hair is wet and the cuticle is raised. Less friction means less frizz and less breakage over time. Cotton loops snag and roughen the cuticle regardless of how gently you handle the towel.
How long should you leave hair wrapped in a towel?
Ten to twenty minutes is sufficient with microfibre. Cotton takes longer because it absorbs less efficiently and holds moisture against the hair rather than drawing it in. With microfibre you do not need to leave it on long enough to start drying the hair completely.
Does wrapping hair in a towel cause damage?
Rubbing hair with a cotton towel causes damage. Gently wrapping with a microfibre towel using the scrunching method does not. The friction is the problem, not the wrapping.