The science behind hair

Solving real hair problems with innovative engineering.

A row of hair samples in a science lab

We're obsessed with researching hair damage

Our mission is to solve problems others ignore – maintaining healthy hair by helping to protect against excessive heat damage. To truly understand hair, Dyson engineers have carried out a microscopic investigation into every hair type.

Two women demonstrating Dyson hair care range

What's your hair type?

There are three different types of bond that give hair its shape. Some of these bonds allow temporary stretching, tensing and reforming to create new styles. Understanding your hair type can help select the best styling approach and treatment for your perfect style.

What's your curl pattern?

There are four main hair types: straight, wavy, curly and coily. Understanding your hair shape allows you to understand how to manage and care for your hair, including how to achieve desired styles.

Type 1

Straight hair

The shape of straight hair strands usually has a rounder cross-sectional area and can be silky and beautiful. Occasionally you may want to add a little shape to your style, so resisting excessive heat can support healthier hair.

Woman with type 1 hair with a blow out hair style

Type 2

Wavy hair

Wavy hair strands still have a round cross-sectional area but are flatter than straight hair. Whether you choose to smooth or to maintain natural waves, keep your hair looking healthy and embrace your waves by styling it with airflow.

Woman with type 2 hair using the Dyson Airwrap multi-styler

Type 3

Curly hair

Curly hair needs to be treated with care to help protect against breakage and keep it hydrated. The cross-sectional area of a curly hair strand has a flatter and more ellipsoid shape. Step away from heavy formulas to let the curls bounce freely.

Woman with type 3 hair

Type 4

Coily hair

It's easy to damage tightly-coiled curls because the hair may tangle easily. We know that damp hair is stretchy and delicate, so the aim is to be as gentle as possible when smoothing out your hair. Type 4 hair has a flatter more ellipsoid shape to form tight coils.

Woman with type 4 hair using Dyson Supersonic hair dryer

How to manage damage

Dyson technology not only helps to style hair, but is designed to retain colour, moisture, shine and smoothness. We've explored three key areas surrounding hair health.

Protect hair from breakage

  • A demonstration of how heat affects hair

    Weakening your hair

    Exposure to temperatures over 150°C can cause the shape of the keratin in hair strands to change. The α-keratin slowly converts to β-keratin which makes hair weaker and less elastic over time.

  • The technology behind a Dyson Supersonic hair dryer

    Prevention not repair

    Once hair has been damaged, it can't be reversed. Hair can become dry and frizzy and lose hydration. If hair is exposed to temperatures over 230°C it will begin to burn or melt.

  • Maintain natural strength

    The Dyson Corrale™ hair straightener offers enhanced styling with less reliance on heat¹ with a precise heating system and Intelligent heat control. Flexing plate technology is engineered to gather hair, helping to create an equivalent style in fewer passes and with less reliance on heat.

Understand moisture retention

  • Two hair pieces being tested for hydration and water retention

    The perfect balance

    If too much water is lost from the hair, it can sometimes feel dry and dehydrated. If too much water is absorbed in the bonds, your style can be disrupted, causing it to drop out. Better moisture balance means better retention.

  • The Dyson Supersonic hair dryer with the Flyaway attachment being used on hair

    Weaker when wet

    Water causes hair to swell and become weaker by up to 42%2, breaking the bonds holding the structure together. This is why the Dyson Supersonic™ hair dryer has been designed with fast drying technology.

  • Achieve style retention

    Our machines have been engineered by hair care experts to prevent excessive heat damage and safeguard your hair’s moisture balance. This not only supports style retention but helps to protect your hair’s wellbeing.

Maintain natural shine

  • Woman straightening hair with the Dyson Corrale hair straightener

    Loss in colour pigmentation

    Whether your hair’s chemically dyed or natural, high heat can change its proteins. This can cause the colour to be stripped and appear faded – or even a different colour altogether.

  • Woman using Dyson Airwrap multi-styler with Coanda smoothing dryer

    The Coanda effect

    The Dyson Airwrap™ multi-styler harnesses an aerodynamic phenomenon called the Coanda effect, which is powered by the Dyson digital V9 motor. It uses air to wrap and create curls, rather than extreme heat. Helping to protect your natural shine.

  • Align for shine

    New attachments for the Dyson Supersonic™ hair dryer and Dyson Airwrap™ multi-styler help reduce flyaways.3 By bringing longer strands to the front and pushing shorter ones underneath, flyaways are reduced for better alignment and shine.

The Dyson solution

Researched. Tested. Resolved.

Years of research and testing at Dyson’s specialist hair science laboratories have confirmed there are two key factors when styling; temperature and control. Our engineers have established technology that styles without excessive heat.

Three female models using Dyson hair care range
  • Coanda airflow technology used on hair

    Dyson Airwrap™ multi-styler

    Combining powerful airflow with controlled heat, the Dyson™ Airwrap multi-styler can dry and style at the same time – using the Coanda effect, not extreme heat.

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  • Dyson Corrale hair straightener used on hair with copper flexing plates

    Dyson Corrale™ hair straightener

    With flexing manganese copper alloy plates for styling with less reliance on heat.1 The Dyson Corrale™ hair straightener gathers hair to create shiny, straight styles with less frizz and flyaways.4

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  • Dyson Supersonic hair dryer with Flyaway attachment used on hair

    Dyson Supersonic™ hair dryer

    Engineered with Intelligent heat control and the Dyson digital motor V9, the iconic Dyson Supersonic™ hair dryer is fast drying with no extreme heat.

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Attachments and accessories

Dyson-designed hair care attachments and accessories are researched and tested as thoroughly as Dyson machines.

Explore attachments and accessories
Woman dries and styles hair with the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer

  • Gentle air attachment

    Engineered to be kinder to fine hair and sensitive scalps, the Gentle air attachment diffuses the air, creating a gentler, cooler airflow - while still drying hair fast.

  • The Flyaway attachment as a prototype

    Flyaway attachment

    This finishing tool attaches to the Dyson Supersonic™ hair dryer for sleek, straight styles. Engineered to hide flyaways under longer hair for a smoother finish, with just air.3

  • The Dyson Airwrap multi-styler barrels as a prototype

    Barrels to curl and wave

    The new Dyson Airwrap™ multi-styler barrels have been re-engineered to curl in both directions while drying simultaneously. Combining the Coanda effect and controlled heat, to create styles quickly and easily.

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Owner support

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¹Thermal damage measured by breakage using internal laboratory testing after approximately 6 months use and a usage rate of three times a week. Damage assessed after creating an equivalent style with Corrale vs. Corrale with solid plates.
2Can vary by hair type.
3For use on dry and straight[ened] hair.
4Direct image analysis vs untreated hair.

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