Frizzy hair 101: what causes frizzy hair
Tired of trying to tame your frizzy hair? You’re not alone. Plenty of women are forced to manage frizzy hair on a daily basis, and it’s an exhausting (and seemingly never-ending) battle to say the least. But before you can arm yourself to fight the good fight against your hair’s arch nemesis (aka unwanted frizz), you should be aware of what may be causing it to occur in the first place. That’s where we come in. Ahead, we’re uncovering five potential causes for your frizzy hair—plus, helpful hair care tips for achieving smooth, defined hair once and for all.
WHAT CAUSES FRIZZY HAIR?
Before we get into what can make your hair appear frizzy, it’s important to know what the underlying cause is. Frizz occurs due to a lack of moisture in the hair. This causes hair to seek moisture from the air around it, which is why humidity often makes matters worse. In addition to the weather and hair’s lack of moisture, there are a number of factors that can leave your hair more vulnerable to frizz. We went ahead and listed some, below.
1. THE WATER TEMPERATURE IN YOUR SHOWER IS CRANKED UP
Extra hot water may feel relaxing during your shower, but it’s not doing your hair (or your skin, for that matter) any favors. Scalding hot water can strip your hair of the natural oils that keep it moisturized and shiny. Since you already know that a lack of moisture in your hair can cause frizz, it’s wise to avoid anything that can remove the precious oils your hair so desperately needs.
What You Should Do: Turn down the water temperature to lukewarm, and save some water for the fishes. Stick to a shorter shower with mild-temperature water. Your hair will thank you later.
2. YOU STYLE YOUR HAIR WITH HOT HAIR STYLING TOOLS DAILY
We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but daily heat to your hair can strip it of natural moisture and lead to frizz. Not to mention, these hair styling tools can cause damaged hair. Yikes!
What You Should Do: Whether it’s a hair dryer, curling iron, or flat iron, you’re best served to banish these hair tools from your hair styling arsenal, or—at the very least—keep their use to a minimum. If heat is imperative, be sure to apply a heat protectant hair product first and use them at their lowest temperature setting.
3. YOU’RE WASHING HAIR EVERYDAY
It’s no secret that harsh foaming shampoos can mess with your hair’s natural equilibrium, resulting in dry, dull hair that looks frizzy. Also, keep in mind that all shampoos are not created equal. It’s very possible that your formula of choice is further drying your hair.
What You Should Do: Instead of shampooing hair every day, stick to a schedule of two to three times per week, depending on your hair type. Also, incorporate a hydrating shampoo or conditioner to help further combat frizzy hair. The extra moisture can help seal each hair strand’s cuticle so it’s less susceptible to frizzing.
4. YOUR HAIR ENDS ARE DAMAGED
Got brittle, split ends? Damaged hair is a surefire way to experience frizz. Plus, the longer those split ends stick around, the higher the chance of hair damage climbing up your hair strands and wreaking further havoc.
What You Should Do: Get regular haircuts every six to eight weeks to keep your hair looking and feeling its best. Coat hair oil or hair serum—like Garnier Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum—onto your ends, too.
5. YOU DRY YOUR HAIR WITH A ROUGH HAIR TOWEL
Wrapping your hair up into an abrasive bath towel can draw moisture out of your hair quickly and lead to frizz. If your hair is curly, this friction can also cause clumps and deformed coils.
What You Should Do: Switch to a micro-fiber towel to dry your hair. This can help with frizz control and reduce hair damage caused by improper drying.
While adopting these methods may help control your frizz, nobody is immune to bad hair days. On days where humidity levels are higher than high, throw your hair into a playful hair twist or braid to help reduce wind and weather-related frizz before heading outdoors. Lightweight styling onto damp hair can also help your hair create a seal that can keep humidity from causing frizzy hair.
