If you have been shopping for a new hair dryer lately, you were no doubt confronted with a wide range of choices. From inexpensive conventional hair dryers that cost about $10 to professional hair dryers that can cost ten times that much, there really is a large and confusing array of hair dryer options to choose from.

So, how can you sort through the many to find the perfect hair dryer for your particular needs and hair type? The answer lies in becoming familiar with the different types of hair dryers so that you can purchase the one that you really need and avoid the ones that are unnecessarily tricked out.

As mentioned earlier, the purchase of a new hair dryer can be quite inexpensive or very expensive depending on the hair dryer that you choose. While, choosing a hair dryer because it is dirt cheap is never a good option, you can cut your costs by choosing a hair dryer that has only the options that you will really use. In order to aid you in your quest, I have separated, according to cost, the different types of hair dryers that you will likely see on your next shopping trip.

"Inexpensive hair dryers ($5 - $20) can be found in almost any store. While inexpensive hair dryers may not cost a lot when you first purchase them, they can cost you a great deal when it comes to hair damage. Since most inexpensive hair dryers only come equipped with one temperature setting, you can literally blast your tresses to death with the unchecked heat from one of these babies. The only time an inexpensive hair dryer is a good idea is if you hardly ever use one, if your hair is extremely short or if you only use a hair dryer briefly to set your gel.

"Moderately expensive hair dryers ($20 - $50) come equipped with most of the settings that you will need for daily use of the hair dryer. Most feature multiple temperature settings and a cool blast button for drying brittle hair or for setting in curl. Most often this is the hair dryer that is perfect for everyone.

"Professional hair dryers ($50 - $100+) can only be purchased at a beauty supply store or through a professional catalogue. While these hair dryers are geared toward repeated use by professionals, they can be beneficial to use at home if you are willing to pay the price. Many of these hair dryers are ultra quiet and feature new drying technologies such as ionic energy to cut your hair drying time in half. They infuse moisture and only cause very minimal damage.

As with all thermal styling tools, hair dryers cause damage to the hair shaft. Incorrect or repeated, high-temperature use of a hair dryer can leave your hair looking dull and frizzy. To make sure that this does not happen to you, always keep the hair dryer 10" from your hair and point the stream of air down the hair shaft. Failure to do so can result in heat bubbles forming on the hair shaft or a blown cuticle, which causes dullness and frizz.

While the type of hair dryer that you purchase may have an impact on how much damage you get from using a hair dryer on your hair everyday, the main culprit of damage is misuse of the hair dryer. So, make sure that you have a good quality hair dryer and that you are using it properly. Your hair will thank you for it by remaining shiny and healthy for years to come.