The science behind hair

Solving real hair problems with innovative engineering.

Female model with type 4 hair looking in front

The hair lifecycle

  • 7 The Lifespan of a hair in years
  • 100 Strands which may fall out each day
  • 150,000 The number of hairs on a human head

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Science, not guesswork

At Dyson, we want to know everything there is to know about hair - down to its chemistry. We're obsessed with hair science and use our research to engineer our haircare technology. No guesswork, no gimmicks, just tried and tested science.

Male model with type 1 hair looking infront

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What your hair type means for you

To know your hair’s needs and look after it properly, it can help to understand your hair structure and type. Hair shape is categorised into four broad groups, with each then being split into three subtypes – A, B, C – to describe the intensity of the curl pattern.

  • Line drawing of type 1 hair

    Type 1 A, B, C

    Straight to wavy hair. Straighter hair shapes have a round cross-sectional area. This hair type can require more regular washing than other types of hair, in to avoid a build-up of oils.

  • Line drawing of type 2 hair

    Type 2 A, B, C

    Wavy to curly hair. Type 2 hair has a wavy ’S’ shape with a round cross-sectional area and is flatter than type 1 hair. This hair structure also requires regular washing as oil can progress down the hair strand more easily.

  • Line drawing of type 3 hair

    Type 3 A, B, C

    Curly hair with tighter ringlets. Curly hair can experience dryness due to a lack of sebum (our natural oil) across the hair shaft. It’s important not to use excessive heat when styling, to try and retain as much natural oil as possible.

  • Line drawing of type 4 hair

    Type 4 A, B, C

    Curly to coily hair. Type 4 hair structure has a flatter, more ellipsoid shape to form tight coils. These can tangle more easily and be fragile when exposed to excessive heat. Type 4 hair can also be washed less regularly.

Hair density vs hair thickness

Hair science doesn’t only come down to shape. Thickness and density also impact the hair chemistry of a strand and the way that hair should be styled. Density is the number of strands you have, while thickness refers to the width of the strand.

If you're not sure what strand width your hair is, take a piece and rub between two fingers. If it feels like cotton, your hair is coarse. If you can barely feel it, your hair is fine.

Close up of hair strands growing from the scalp barrier

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Avoiding exposure to excessive heat

  • Close up of a scalp

    Maintaining scalp health

    Dyson's Intelligent heat control helps protect scalp health by reducing exposure to excessive heat. Helping to maintain your scalp's moisture levels when styling.

  • Close up of a hair cortex coated in water

    Retaining moisture

    Excessive heat can make hair more porous – meaning it can gain or lose water easily. The imbalance can weaken hair and reduce style retention.

  • Close up of hair cortex breaking

    Preventing breakage

    Overexposure to excessive temperatures can weaken the chemistry of hair - no matter the hair type. Losing strength and elasticity over time can make it more prone to breakage.

  • Close up of a healthy hair cortex coated which looks smooth and shiny

    Maintaining shine

    Hair can look dull, if damaged, as a result of cuticles lifting and scattering light. But when hair is healthy and aligned, it reflects light evenly – appearing shiny.

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What is a healthy scalp?

A close animation of the scalp barrier

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The Dyson Solution

At Dyson we strive to create machines which avoid excessive heat. By precisely engineering technology for your hair type, we can create the great styles while avoiding damage.

Models using the Dyson hair care range to dry or style their hair
  • The Dyson Airwrap multi-styler in Nickel Copper

    Dyson Airwrap™ multi-styler

    Combining powerful airflow with Intelligent heat control, the Dyson Airwrap™ multi-styler can create multiple styles using the Coanda effect. Hair tools backed by hair science, not excessive heat.

  • The Dyson Supersonic hair dryer in Nickel Copper

    Dyson Supersonic™ hair dryer

    The Dyson Supersonic™ hair dryer protects scalp health by quickly drying with no excessive heat. Precision styling with controlled airflow, to support the chemistry of hair and embrace its natural shape.

  • The Dyson Corrale hair straightener in Nickel Copper

    Dyson Corrale™ straightener

    The cord-free Dyson Corrale™ straightener features flexing manganese copper alloy plates, for enhanced styling. Designed for more control and reduced reliance on heat, for healthy strands that hold shape for longer.

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Avoiding mechanical damage

Using abrasive, physical tools on your hair can roughen cuticles and cause strand friction, affecting hair structure at a deep level. Dyson has invested £100m into global hair laboratories to create devices which are specifically designed to avoid breakage.

Model with type 1 hair brushing wet hair with the Dyson Paddle brush while drying with the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer
  • The Dyson Vented Barrel brush being used when drying the hair with the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer

    Specifically engineered accessories

    Improve your hair styling routine and support hair structure with our range of accessories. Thoroughly researched, each accessory has been prototyped numerous times until we’re completely satisfied with the performance and endurance.

  • Model showing Dyson Supersonic Flyaway attachment

    Research-led attachments

    Engineered to upgrade and enhance your styling routine, create versatile styles and finish your look while avoiding excessive heat. Created with your hair health in mind, they have been designed to be comfortable to use on your hair and scalp.

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Choose your model

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    Give the gift of multiple hair styles using Coanda airflow. Style with confidence from wet to dry with no heat damage.

    Dry. Curl. Shape. Smooth and hide flyaways.

    Engineered for different hair types.

    Versatility. 6 attachments engineered to suit all hair types, harnessing Coanda airflow to create any styles with increased control.

    Receive a bonus gift valued at $99, plus get a Supersonic Origin for $399 when you add this product to cart.

    Price matched

$599.00
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    Give the gift of fast drying and styling.

    5 styling attachments, including the Flyaway attachment for a smooth, shiny finish*

    Intelligent heat control for fast drying, with no heat damage. Powered by the Dyson digital motor V9.

    Receive a special edition gift set valued at $89, plus get a Supersonic Origin for $399 when you add this product to cart.

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    Usual price: $649

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    Enhanced styling with less hair damage*.

    Cordless versatility, corded thermal performance. Up to 30 minutes cord-free styling, style corded for longer run time.

    Intelligent heat control. Regulates the temperature of the flexing copper plates 100 times a second, to never exceed the set temperature.

    Engineered to create a range of styles.

    2020 Prix de Marie Claire Beauty Awards Australia Winner.

    Receive a special edition gift set valued at $89, plus get a Supersonic Origin for $399 when you add this product to cart.

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    Usual price: $699

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    Use Dyson's exclusive hair diagnostic tool to find the best Dyson Airwrap™ multi-styler and accessories to suit your hair type, length and styling preferences.

    Add a personal touch to the included Dyson-designed presentation case, debossing up to three initials, with your choice of foil.

    Gifting for a loved one? Have the multi-styler wrapped with Dyson-designed paper and sealed with a wax stamp.

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    Includes re-engineered attachments.

    For hair that's chest-length or longer.

    Engineered for multiple hair types.

    With new barrels to curl and wave in both directions, brushes to control and shape, and the multi-functional Coanda smoothing dryer to dry, smooth and hide flyaways.1

    Get a Supersonic Origin for $399 when you add this product to cart.

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Bright Nickel / Rich Copper - Selected colour Fuchsia / Bright Nickel
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    Includes re-engineered attachments.

    For hair that's chest-length or longer.

    Engineered for multiple hair types.

    With new barrels to curl and wave in both directions, brushes to control and shape, and the multi-functional Coanda smoothing dryer to dry, smooth and hide flyaways.1

    Get a Supersonic Origin for $399 when you add this product to cart.

    Price matched

Rich Copper / Bright Nickel - Selected colour Prussian Blue / Rich Copper
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    Includes re-engineered attachments.

    For hair that's shorter than chest-length.

    Engineered for multiple hair types.

    With new barrels to curl and wave in both directions, brushes to control and shape, and the multi-functional Coanda smoothing dryer to dry, smooth and hide flyaways.1

    Get a Supersonic Origin for $399 when you add this product to cart.

    Price matched

Prussian Blue / Rich Copper - Selected colour Rich Copper / Bright Nickel
$599.00
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Price matched

    Includes re-engineered attachments.

    For hair that's shorter than chest-length.

    Engineered for multiple hair types.

    With new barrels to curl and wave in both directions, brushes to control and shape, and the multi-functional Coanda smoothing dryer to dry, smooth and hide flyaways.1

    Get a Supersonic Origin for $399 when you add this product to cart.

    Price matched

Fuchsia / Bright Nickel - Selected colour Bright Nickel / Rich Copper
$599.00
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    5 styling attachments, including the Flyaway attachment for a smooth, shiny finish.*

    Intelligent heat control for fast drying, with no heat damage.

    Powered by the Dyson digital motor V9.

    Engineered for different hair types.

    Get a Supersonic Origin for $399 when you add this product to cart.

    Price matched.

    Usual price: $649

Iron / Fuchsia - Selected colour Black / Nickel Rich Copper / Bright Nickel
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    Fast drying with no heat damage.

    Powered by Dyson digital motor V9.

    Includes styling concentrator.

    Save $150 on this product when you add to cart with another eligible machine.

$549.00
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    Enhanced styling with less hair damage*.

    Cordless versatility, corded thermal performance. Up to 30 minutes cord-free styling, style corded for longer run time.

    Intelligent heat control. Regulates the temperature of the flexing copper plates 100 times a second, to never exceed the set temperature.

    Engineered to create a range of styles.

    2020 Prix de Marie Claire Beauty Awards Australia Winner.

    Get a Supersonic Origin for $399 when you add this product to cart.

    Price matched

    Usual price: $699

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Price matched

    Enhanced styling with less hair damage*.

    Cordless versatility, corded thermal performance. Up to 30 minutes cord-free styling, style corded for longer run time.

    Intelligent heat control. Regulates the temperature of the flexing copper plates 100 times a second, to never exceed the set temperature.

    Engineered to create a range of styles.

    2020 Prix de Marie Claire Beauty Awards Australia Winner.

    Get a Supersonic Origin for $399 when you add this product to cart.

    Price matched.

    Usual price: $699

Black Nickel / Fuchsia - Selected colour Rich Copper / Bright Nickel
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Latest colour

    Style with confidence from wet to dry with no heat damage.

    Dry. Curl. Shape. Smooth and hide flyaways.

    Versatility. 6 attachments engineered to suit all hair types, harnessing Coanda airflow to create any styles with increased control.

    Engineered for all hair types.

    Receive a special edition Ceramic Pop presentation case worth $99.

    Get a Supersonic Origin for $399 when you add this product to cart.

$949.00
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Latest colour

    5 styling attachments, including the Flyaway attachment for a smooth, shiny finish.*

    Intelligent heat control for fast drying, with no heat damage.

    Powered by the Dyson digital motor V9.

    Engineered for different hair types.

    Receive a special edition Ceramic Pop presentation case worth $99, plus get a Supersonic Origin for $399 when you add this product to cart.

$649.00
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Only at Dyson

    Two types of styling clips, both ergonomically designed for a secure grip whilst being gentle on hair and scalp.

    Sectioning hair clip creates precise sections engineered to hold hair without causing discomfort.

    Wide hair clip gathers and holds large amounts of hair securely and comfortably with convention-defying features.

    Engineered for all hair types

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