Differences Between Microfiber and Regular Towels

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by Mary Wolff

You have probably heard about the wonder that is the microfiber towel. They are great for curly hair because they cut down on frizz-causing friction. If you are trying to decide if this hot beauty trend is right for your curls, it might help to know the difference between microfiber and regular towels. Are they really that different? Is frizz control the only benefit?

When it comes to the difference between microfiber and regular towels, it really comes down to a few basic things.

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• Material

The material used in regular towels tends to be cotton or a cotton/wool blend. This material is popular because it is absorbent and sturdy meaning the towel will last for years. It is also great for soaking up water from the skin without issue.  The drawback is that it can lead to damage to your hair.
The material used in microfiber towels is usually made of polyester and polyamide. This material is only one part of what makes microfiber towels different. This material is softer than cotton making it ideal for drying without added friction. It isn’t quite as long-lasting or sturdy compared to cotton which is the only big drawback for this material type.

• Manufacturing

The manufacturing process is one of the biggest things setting these two apart. Regular cotton towels are woven with a looser framework and feature larger loops. This causes more frizz and friction when using it to dry your hair. Microfiber towels are made of much finer loops woven into smaller, tighter groups. Because of the finer loops, microfiber towels are smoother and glide across the hair.

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• GSM

The grams per square meter (GSM) is another difference between regular towels and microfiber towels. The quality of a towel in general is determined by this indicator of GSM and the higher, the better. The GSM in microfiber towels tends to be much higher than regular towels because the fibers are closer together.

So, what does it all mean to you? These differences in material, manufacturing, and GSM are the very things that make microfiber towels such as great choice for your hair. Here are a few benefits of using microfiber towels:

1. Control Frizz. Microfiber towels are much softer than cotton towels so they cause less friction when used to dry hair.  Less friction equals less frizz which is always a nice bonus for us curlies. 
2. More Absorbent. The higher GSM means microfiber towels are more absorbent. If you are working with a lot of hair or just want to make sure your hair is dry all the way through with certain protective styles, it is hard to beat a microfiber towel. 
3. Less Drying Time. Thanks to the super absorbency powers of microfiber towels, you can cut down on drying time. Who doesn’t love saving time on their morning routine without sacrificing results?