Why the Revlon Round Brush Blow Dryer May Be Damaging Your Hair
The Revlon Round Brush Blow Dryer and similar tools can cause frizz, dryness, and breakage when used incorrectly. The biggest mistake is using it on wet hair - these tools are designed for styling, not drying. You need to rough dry your hair 75-80% first, use heat protectant, keep the heat on medium, and limit use to a couple times per week to avoid damage.
I'm Bri, a stylist at The Warehouse Salon in Chatham, NJ. Over the past two years, I've had client after client come in with damaged hair, and when I ask about their routine, the Revlon brush comes up constantly. The tool itself isn't terrible, but the way people are using it is destroying their hair.
Is Your Styling Tool Actually Ruining Your Hair?
A client named Kelsey came in last fall with hair that was fried. Dry, frizzy, breaking off at the ends. She'd been dealing with it for months and couldn't figure out why.
"Bri, I don't understand what's happening," she said. "I use heat protectant every time. I don't flat iron that often. But my hair looks worse than it ever has."
"What do you use to dry your hair?" I asked.
"The Revlon brush. I use it every morning. It's so fast and easy."
"How wet is your hair when you start?"
She thought about it. "Pretty wet. I towel dry it and then use the brush. That's what it's for, right? It dries and styles at the same time."
"That's what the marketing says, but that's not how you should use it. Those tools get extremely hot, and when you use them on wet hair, you're basically boiling the water inside your hair shaft. That causes serious damage. Plus, wet hair is more fragile, so all that pulling and tension is causing breakage."
Her eyes went wide. "I've been using it wrong this whole time?"
"Every single day for how long?"
"Like a year and a half."
That explained the damage. We talked through how to actually use the tool, and I gave her the option of switching to something better or changing her technique.
She decided to try the correct method first. Rough dry with a regular dryer until 75-80% dry, then use the brush on medium heat just to style and smooth.
Six weeks later, she came back for a trim. "Bri. My hair feels completely different. I'm not seeing nearly as much breakage. And it actually looks smoother than when I was using the brush on soaking wet hair."
Three months later: "I can't believe how much damage I was doing without realizing it. I wish someone had explained this when I bought the thing."
That's the problem. These tools have been marketed as a way to dry and style at the same time, but that's not how they should be used. Here's what you need to know.
The Real Problem with These Tools
Revlon and similar brands have not explained to their audience how to use these tools correctly. They've been promoted as all-in-one drying and styling tools, but using them on wet hair causes major problems.
The heat is intense and makes direct contact with your hair. When your hair is wet, it's at its most fragile. Combining high heat with wet, fragile hair leads to frizz, dryness, and breakage. The tension from the brush pulling through wet tangles makes it even worse.
I've seen this pattern over and over. Clients use the tool every day, even with heat protection, and wonder why their hair is damaged. The heat protectant helps, but it can't fully protect against the combination of high heat, direct contact, and wet hair.
Better Alternatives
If you're ready to switch to something higher quality, here are my recommendations:
- Parlux Blow Dryer - This is what I use behind the chair. It's lightweight, durable, and powerful. A traditional blow dryer gives you more control and is generally gentler on your hair when used correctly. Read my full review in my blog: Why You Need to Invest in a Good Hair Dryer
- Hot Tools Blow Dryer Brush - If you want to stick with a brush-style tool, this is a better option than Revlon. Higher quality, better heat distribution. Find more of my favorite tools in my blog: Best Hot Tools | Recommended by The Top NJ Hair Stylists
How to Use the Revlon Brush Correctly
If you want to keep using your Revlon brush or a similar tool, here's how to do it without destroying your hair:
Dry your hair first. I know this seems counterintuitive since it's called a blow dryer brush, but you need to rough dry your hair at least 75-80% before using this tool. Use a regular blow dryer or let it air dry most of the way. The brush is for styling and adding volume, not for drying wet hair.
Don't use it every day. These tools pull and snag the hair, which causes breakage over time. Even with perfect technique, daily use is too much. Aim for a couple times per week at most. Give your hair days off.
Always use heat protectant. These tools make direct contact with your hair, so protection is essential. Apply heat protectant to damp hair before rough drying, and make sure it's distributed throughout.
Here are heat protectants I recommend:
- Milk Shake Incredible Milk 12 Effect Leave-In Treatment - This does everything: heat protection, UV protection, frizz control, detangling, and shine. Apply to clean damp hair before styling.
- Moroccanoil All in One Leave-in Conditioner - Lightweight formula with argan oil that hydrates, detangles, and protects against heat damage. Works on all hair types including color-treated.
- SUDZZFX ColourFix Spray Leave-in Conditioner - Ultra-light formula that protects against heat and environmental stress. Great for color-treated hair.
Use medium heat. These tools have very high heat settings, but you don't need maximum heat if you're starting with mostly dry hair. Higher heat just causes more dryness and frizz. Medium is enough to style and smooth.
Your Revlon Brush Questions Answered
Is the Revlon brush bad for your hair?
Not necessarily, but using it incorrectly is. If you use it on wet hair, every day, on high heat, you're going to see damage. If you rough dry first, use medium heat, and limit it to a couple times per week, it can work fine.
Why does my hair look frizzy after using it?
Probably because you're using it on hair that's too wet, or using heat that's too high. Both lift the cuticle and cause frizz. Try rough drying more before using the brush, and turn the heat down.
Should I just throw it away?
Not unless you want to. The tool can work if you use it correctly. But if you're seeing a lot of damage even with proper technique, it might be worth upgrading to something higher quality with better heat distribution.
Can heat protectant prevent all the damage?
It helps, but it can't prevent everything. Heat protectant reduces damage, but it doesn't make your hair invincible. You still need to use the right technique - rough dry first, medium heat, limited frequency.
How do I know if I've already damaged my hair with this tool?
Signs include excessive dryness, frizz that won't go away, breakage and split ends, and hair that feels rough or straw-like. If you're seeing these, come in for a trim to remove the damage, then adjust your technique going forward.
More Hair Care Resources
For more tips on keeping your hair healthy, check out these blogs:
- How Do You Achieve Healthy Hair?
- What Is The Best Shampoo For My Hair Type?
- Beauty Sleep: Magics of Night Hair Treatments
- Ways Hair Damage Occur & Tips on Prevention
- How To Protect Your Hair from the Sun
- Dandruff Vs. Dry Scalp, What is the Difference?
- Hair Metal Buildup, What It Is & How to Remove It
- How to Deal with Hard Water Buildup
- Tips On Achieving Ultimate Hair Growth
- The Importance of Scalp Health & How to Achieve It
The Bottom Line
The Revlon brush isn't the worst tool on the market, and it can get the job done if you use it correctly. But there are better options available, and proper technique matters more than most people realize.
If you want recommendations or have questions about your specific hair, come see me at The Warehouse Salon in Chatham. We're at 127 Main Street, Chatham, NJ. Call us at 973-507-8227, or book your next appointment online.
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About the Author
Brianna Thompson
Brianna is a highly skilled and licensed cosmetologist, stylist, and color expert at Studio 360 Salon in Chatham, NJ. She possesses a thorough understanding of hair products and the science behind hair and hairstyling.
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