Frizzy hair — we all know the struggle. You think you’re gonna have a great hair day, but when you catch a glimpse of yourself in front of a mirror, you see yourself wearing a lion’s mane. Whether it’s heat damage or “IT’S THE HUMIDITY!” (as Monica Geller once famously said), we’ve all experienced a moment where our hair went all haywire at the worst time possible.
If the frizzy hair dilemma is all too familiar to you, and you’re wondering why it has to happen to you and how you can deal with it, the first step is to understand the cause behind the frizz.
Why Does the Frizz Happen?
Before you ask Google how to tame frizzy hair, it pays to know why it happens in the first place. Different factors contribute to the frizz, which includes the following:
- One common culprit behind frizzy hair is humidity. The excess moisture in the air combined with heat trigger the frizz. Humidity maintains high levels of hydrogen. Our hair is extremely sensitive to this type of hydrogen, which causes the hair to frizz.
- Daily washing with shampoo. Harsh foaming shampoos compromise your hair’s natural equilibrium, which results in dull hair that looks frizzy. Plus, not all shampoo formulas are created equally. Apart from the shampoo issue, washing your hair with hot water can also strip your hair of the natural oils that keep it smooth and moisturized.
- Damaged hair ends. If you have brittle, split ends, they could contribute to your frizz. The longer the split ends stick around, the higher chances of the damaged hair affecting your other hair strands.
- An open cuticle. The curving shape of curly hair means its cuticle layer is naturally raised, which means it has gaps overlapping the cells. These gaps allow nutrients and moisture to escape, and humidity to enter. Humidity means frizzier hair.
Frizzy Hair Remedies
“How do I tame frizzy and dry hair?” is a popular concern among people with natural wavy and curly locks. The reality is our bad hair habits worsen our frizzy problems.
When it comes to frizzy hair, it’s all about hair health.
Consider the following tips:
- Use sulfate-free shampoos. When selecting a shampoo, choose products that are free from sulfate. Sulfate strips your hair from its natural oils, which can cause the frizz. Sulfate-free shampoos maintain your hair’s natural oil levels.
- Always use conditioner. Never underestimate the power of a good conditioner. Use conditioner whenever you shampoo your hair to keep the cuticle hydrated. When searching for a conditioner, look for a product that contains glycerin and other hydrating ingredients (e.g. shea butter).
- Dry your hair 90 percent before blow drying. Let your hair air dry first before you blow dry it. By partially drying first, you enable it to dry without disrupting the hair strand, which keeps it smooth.
- Use a mascara wand with hairspray. For small areas of frizz, a mascara wand with hairspray should do the trick. These tools target small, unruly areas that need to be smoothened out quickly.
- Trade your hair towel for a microfiber towel or a t-shirt. Your hair is at its weakest when it’s wet, so aggressive brushing or drying can damage your locks. For this reason, avoid using rough towels, which can cause frizzing or break your hair. Instead, use softer materials such as a microfiber towel or a cotton t-shirt.
The frizz shouldn’t stop you from having a good hair day. By prioritizing hair health, you can enjoy better hair days ahead of you.