Frizzy Hair Doesn't Have to Be the Curse Many Think It Is

Frizzy hair is not just the consequence of unruly genes; it is due to the hair's structure. The outer layer (cuticle) of curly hair comprises overlapping scales that point outward, like roof tiles. Straight hair, in contrast, has a smooth surface. It is caused by a single mutation resulting in the protein that makes hair stiffer, making it take on a more frizzy appearance.

Layers and layers of frizzy hair can look soft, fuzzy, and touchable, but there is immense strength. The weight of the hair presses down on the follicle (the root), which causes a buildup of fluid under pressure within the core. This fluid secretion pushes upward through the cortex, creating swelling in the cuticle and cortex layers.

Causes of Frizzy Hair

Sulfates are found in many shampoo products. They are used to clean the hair and remove its natural oils. Using these products regularly will strip the hair of its natural oils, causing it to become dry and brittle, resulting in frizzy hair.

Frizzy hair is caused by over-washing the hair. This makes the hair feel dry and brittle, which causes it to become unruly and frizzy. If looking for a way to deal with this problem, one may want to try washing the hair in lukewarm water instead of hot water once in a while. The hot water washes away all of the oils from the scalp, vital for keeping the hair smooth and healthy.

Touching hair too much is a common cause of frizzy hair and dry, brittle hair. Sebum helps to protect the hair from damage and keeps it shiny. However, when one touches their hair excessively in a day, this can promote the overproduction of sebum on the scalp, which can lead to a greasy feel or appearance in the hair as well as causing frizziness.

Ways of Preventing Frizzy Hair

There are several ways to protect hair from humidity like using a lower-humidity shampoo, drying the hair with a towel instead of letting it air-dry, and staying out of the humidity. In case one has curly or wavy hair and uses a higher-humidity shampoo, the hair will attract and hold more moisture than if one had used a low-humidity shampoo.

An individual should limit the amount of time spent in direct sunlight or under harsh indoor lights such as fluorescent lights. Frizzy hair is more likely to become a problem when the hair is exposed to direct sunlight or harsh indoor lights for long periods.

The best way to prevent frizzy hair and reduce heat damage is to stop using many hot styling tools. If one must use a blow-dryer, choose one with a lower temperature setting. While using a curling iron or flatiron, choose one that has temperature control.

Products to Stop Frizzy Hair

Hair serum will help the hair look shiny and healthy. It can be used if someone blow-dries the hair. The product can be used to smooth out the ends of the hair. In general, it helps reduce fly-away strands so that the hair looks tidy. The product helps with dryness and softens the texture of dry hair. It also helps reduce split ends and protects the scalp from sun damage.

Using a leave-in conditioner on wet hair protects the hair from drying out and prevents frizz when styling it later. The hair tends to also feel smoother and softer, so an individual won't need to use as many styling products to keep one’s hair looking good after one blow-dry or straightens it. Most people try to avoid frizzy hair by using heavy, thick conditioners on their hair which can make things worse, though, as heavy conditioners tend to build up and weigh down the hair.

A hair mask is a type of hair care product that helps to nourish and strengthen the hair. It is applied to wet hair, left on for 5-15 minutes, then rinsed off. The most common ingredients are proteins, moisturizers, and fragrances. It also protects the scalp from the sun, wind, and cold weather conditions, which are harmful to one’s scalp.