Nevada State Board of Cosmetology Practice Exam

What is the purpose of a blow-dryer?

1. To straighten the hair

2. To style hair using heat and airflow

3. To curl the hair

4. To add shine to hair

The correct answer is: To style hair using heat and airflow

The purpose of a blow-dryer is to style hair using heat and airflow. This tool allows cosmetologists to manipulate the hair's shape by applying both warm air and a stream of air to dry and style it simultaneously. The heat from the blow-dryer helps in evaporating moisture from the hair while also allowing styling techniques, such as adding volume or creating waves, which can be achieved by directing airflow in particular ways and using various styling brushes. In contrast, while a blow-dryer can aid in straightening or curling hair, those are specific styling results rather than the primary function of the device. Adding shine to hair is also not a primary purpose. Instead, the blow-dryer primarily functions to dry the hair quickly and facilitate desired styles through the combination of heat and airflow. Thus, its integral capability lies in how it enables a range of styling techniques while drying hair effectively.