Once you learn exactly why your hair is frizzy, you can change your haircare routine to effectively fight the frizz.
Frizzy hair can be hard to manage, tough to love, and incredibly frustrating at times. However, with the help of some products and a few clever styling tips, you can turn your frizzy hair into luscious locks. Once you learn exactly why your hair is frizzy, you can change your haircare routine to effectively fight the frizz.
What is frizzy hair?
Each hair strand is made up of multiple layers, the outermost being the cuticle. You can think of the cuticle's overlapping scales as louvres.
Frizz is the result of a raised cuticle. Imagine open louvres as opposed to closed ones, and you'll be able to visualise how your hair looks under magnification.
A smooth cuticle is closed, causing the hair to hang in its natural shape. A raised cuticle is open, allowing moisture to enter and swell the strand. As a result, the hair appears frizzy and unruly.
If you suffer from frizzy hair, you may notice that it gets a lot worse in humidity or rainy weather. This is because there's more moisture in the air for the hair to absorb.
What causes frizzy hair?
The main cause of frizz is dehydration of the hair strands. If your hair is dried out, it absorbs more moisture from the atmosphere, which causes more frizz. Your hair loses moisture as the day goes on, so whilst your hair looks fab in the morning, you may notice deterioration as the day goes on and your cuticle opens up.
What have I done to have frizzy hair?
Whilst most frizz is caused by dehydration, some hair types are just generally a lot more prone to the condition. A few other factors might be drying your hair out.
Curly hair: If you have curly hair, then frizz may be an all too familiar story for you. Curly hair is much more susceptible to frizz because generally it is drier than straight hair. Each kink makes it more difficult for sebum to travel all the way down the hair. Therefore, curly hair needs extra hydration.
Using regular hot tools: Hot tools weaken the hair, making it not only more susceptible to damage but also more porous and frizz-prone over time. Always use a heat protectant, and consider an ionic hairdryer to fight frizz. Read our recommendations on flat irons and straighteners for curly, frizzy hair.
Chemical exposure: If you perm, bleach, or regularly dye your hair, you may notice that your hair has become extra-frizzy. Again, this is due to cuticle damage. You may want to consider using anti-frizz serums to help rehydrate and smooth hair.
Too much shampoo: If you have frizzy hair, you may want to cut back on the shampoo. Shampoo is a detergent and can be quite harsh on the hair cuticles—especially if you use a clarifying formula. Reduce your washes to just once or twice a week, and up the conditioner instead.
These are just a few of the reasons why your hair may be prone to frizz, but really, it all comes down to hydration or a lack thereof. Start using more nourishing hair masks to rehydrate the hair. Use smoothing serums to help locks lie flat for more manageable styling.
At Adore Beauty, we have a whole range dedicated to curly, frizzy hair, so you can find the best products for fighting your own frizz.
