Why is My Curly Hair Frizzy?
I know they say, “The bigger the hair, the closer to God”
… but they definitely weren’t talking about frizz!
Frizzy hair can ruin any style.
Have you ever tried to take down a twist out before it was ready?
Or wear a cute hair style on a hot day?
It’s a no go.
But what exactly is frizz and how do we protect our curls from it?
Read the tips below for some common causes of frizz in curly hair and how to keep it at bay:
Lack of moisture:
Curly hair tends to be drier than other hair textures because the natural oils produced by the scalp have a harder time traveling down the hair shaft due to its coiled structure. When hair lacks moisture, it’s more prone to frizz.
Curly hair craves hydration, so using moisturizing hair products is essential. Look for moisturizing shampoos, conditioners and deep conditioning treatments for long lasting hydration to reduce frizz.
Humidity:
Humid weather can disrupt the hydrogen bonds in curly hair, causing the hair strands to absorb moisture from the air and expand. This leads to frizz as the hair tries to reach out for more moisture.
The L.C.O Method (leave-in conditioner, cream, oil) is perfect for protecting hair from humidity. Start by applying your leave in conditioner and cream based gels on damp hair. Then seal in your moisturizing products with an oil. This will keep your curls from drying out and frizzing out due to humidity.
Rough handling:
Friction causes dryness and frizz. Vigorous brushing, cotton towel-drying, or using other rough materials can disturb the hair cuticle and lead to frizz. It is best to handle curly hair gently to minimize frizz. Think of your hair like silk. You have to treat it delicately.
When you’re detangling, use a wide-tooth seamless comb. Always work your way through knots starting at the bottom of each section and working up to the root.
When drying your hair, use a microfiber towel or a soft cotton T-shirt to gently squeeze out excess water to minimize friction and absorb moisture without roughening the hair.
Not protecting your hair while sleeping:
Lots of damage can occur while you sleep. Rolling around on cotton sheets and pillowcases causes a ton of friction against your curls. This eventually leads to dryness, frizz and breakage.
Before bed, protect your curls by loosely tying your hair up in a pineapple or using a satin or silk pillowcase or hair bonnet. These materials help reduce friction and prevent frizz while you sleep.
Overuse of heat styling tools:
Excessive use of heat styling tools like flat irons, curling irons, or blow dryers can strip moisture from curly hair, leaving it dry, brittle, and prone to frizz. Minimize the use of heat by trying heat-free styling options like air-drying, twist/ braid outs, or rod sets.
