Many people deal with frizzy hair, whether due to humid conditions or hair type. You may have tried applying an anti-frizz product, only to experience disappointing results. The cause of frizzy hair goes back to lack of moisture. Learn why your hair behaves this way and how you can smooth its texture.
What Is Frizzy Hair?
Frizz tends to increase in excessive moisture, such as on humid days and right after you get out of the shower. Your hair attempts to draw in the moisture, which results in cuticle scales swelling and growing in appearance. At the same time, alcohol-based styling products, high-heat styling and other products or methods that dry out hair can accentuate the appearance of frizz.
The solution comes down to applying more moisture to your hair, while reducing sources of heat, drying products and styling methods.
How to Tame Frizzy Hair
You can manage frizzy hair with the following habits.
How You Cut and Manage Your Hair
First, get a haircut that better hides frizz. Styles with sharp edges tend to add more weight and better camouflage swollen cuticles on humid days. Also schedule regular trims to get rid of split ends, which can intensify the appearance of frizz. Book right when your hair starts to look frayed or shaggy, rather than growing it out.
Pay Attention to How You Wash Your Hair
Along with a good haircut, you can prevent drying out your hair in the shower:
- Wash your hair with low to medium-temperature water.
- Don’t always shampoo and condition with every shower. Instead, alternate days to preserve your hair’s natural oils.
- Apply conditioner down the strands of your hair but avoid the scalp to avoid concentrating grease and oil in this area.
- Detangle your hair as you shower with a detangler comb.
Apply Hair Masks
Apply leave-in conditioner or a hair mask once per week using an oil-based solution to replenish any lost moisture. Coat the full length but avoid your scalp.
Limit Styling
Those with frizzy hair don’t have to forego styling. Instead, the goal is to ensure your hair holds onto moisture and is protected from the outside against heat-related damage, which can result in breakage. Whether you blow-dry, straighten or curl your hair:
- Look for an oil or silicone-based leave-in styling product to help your hair retain moisture and add shine in the process.
- Apply a protectant that acts as an anti-humectant before blow-drying and styling. Make sure to coat the product evenly before you use a straightener or curling iron.
- Rather than put your blow-dryer on high heat, use a diffuser and go over each section from the tips to the roots.
- Invest in higher-quality hair tools to limit excessive heat and subsequent damage.
Pay Attention to Hair Products
Any alcohol-based solution immediately dries out your hair and worsens frizz long term. Instead, look for hydrating formulas containing an oil, silicone or glycerin. Spray your brush with hairspray, rather than applying the product directly. This will smooth the appearance and set your hair in place after adding a moisture-supplying solution.
Lessen Friction
Forces rubbing your hair back and forth also cause the cuticle to detach, accentuating frizz and split ends. To reduce friction:
- Avoid rubbing your hair with a towel after getting out of the shower. Instead, put it up and wait for it to dry.
- Also consider using a microfiber towel, which is gentler on your hair than terrycloth.
- Pay attention to your pillowcase. Satin and silk both reduce friction compared to cotton, which can snag the cuticles on a microscopic level.
- To further reduce friction, pull your hair up into one or two buns with a set of scrunchies before you go to bed.
- Consider swapping out your hairbrush for a wide-toothed comb. The space between teeth can reduce risks for breakage.
- Limit how often you touch your hair throughout the day.
Are you concerned about frizz? Make an appointment at Catherine & Company to discuss haircuts, products and styling methods today.