Guide to Managing Frizzy Hair

Does your morning reflection have you wondering, “Why is my hair so frizzy?” You’re not alone. Frizzy hair is a common hassle for many because it causes brittle ends, roughness, irregular curl patterns, dryness, and more. Frizzy hair is also the result of environmental factors, improper hair care habits, the aftermath of chemical treatments, or just the unruly nature of certain hair types.

You may ask what you can do to prevent frizz and understand its root cause. But don’t worry; we can narrow down the cause of your frizz and go over proper hair care in this all-in-one guide about frizzy hair. This all-in-one guide will go over:

• Different causes of frizzy hair
• How to prevent frizzy hair
• How to style frizzy hair

Photo Credit - Image alt-text: Long, orange, frizzy hair

Different Causes of Frizzy Hair

First things first, it’s crucial to understand the different causes of frizzy hair to help you determine the best solution for a frizz-free style. We've narrowed the causes down into four categories:

1. Environmental Causes

Humidity is a common culprit of frizzy hair. When your hair is dryer than the surrounding air, it draws in moisture, allowing humidity to enter your strands and wreak havoc. This, compiled with the moisture-zapping heat of the sun, can make warmer days a frizz-fighting nightmare. It’s not just heat from the problematic sun, though. It's important to remember that heat tools are also to blame for heat-induced frizz. On the other hand, cold temperatures may not carry the moisture in the air like hot, humid days, but this can dry out your hair follicle, making it brittle and frizzy. Windy days, or even riding around with the windows down, can also cause excessive strain on your strands, resulting in a tangled, damaged frizz-fest.

2. Hair Care Habits

By now, you have probably learned the importance of keeping hair hydrated. Showers are common places for this to occur, whether overwashing, water that is too hot, or rough towel drying. Hot water and overwashing can strip your hair of vital oils that help keep it hydrated and protected from environmental stressors. Rough towel drying after a shower can damage your hair’s cuticle, resulting in unwanted frizzy hair.

3. Chemical Causes

It’s not a secret that chemicals, like bleach or dye, can negatively impact your hair health. These treatments remove your hair’s natural oils, which can leave it damaged and frizzy. These are the same for treatments such as perming or straightening, as they can make your hair more porous and thus draw in moisture from the surrounding air. And let’s not forget about chlorine. While hanging by the pool or ocean, maybe a favorite pastime, chlorine and salt water can be hard on your locks, drying them out and causing damage.

4. Natural Causes

We’ve gone over factors that are in your control, but some natural causes can work against you. If your hair is wavy, curly, or coarse, you are more likely to have to fend off frizz than other hair types and textures. Genetics and hormonal changes, like pregnancy, can impact hair as well.

Now that you have a solid grasp on what causes frizzy hair, it is important to know there are a lot of effective frizzy hair solutions out there! So, whether you need some tips on adjusting your hair care routine or combat natural causes, we have you covered.

Hair Care Tips to Prevent Frizz

Frizz can impact anyone, but whether you’re a woman or man with frizz, the same steps can be taken to achieve smooth hair. Since frizzy hair is typically the result of parched or damaged strands, frizzy hair care centers around protecting them while restoring moisture. Some steps to take to prevent frizz are:

• Use products meant for frizzy hair: Upgrading your hair products is a great place to start. For example, choose a gentle shampoo and conditioner free from known drying ingredients, such as sulfates. John Frieda frizzy hair care products are infused with a blend of pure coconut oil and conditioning agents to fight frizz, giving you control over your mane.
• Use a microfiber towel: After washing your hair, dry it with a microfiber towel. Microfiber towels are less likely to strip your hair of moisture because they allow you to dry your hair with less friction. For heatless hairstyles, make sure to also reduce the usage of heat styling tools.
• Additional protection: Protection is key for frizz prevention, so utilize a hat or scarf if heading into sunny, windy, or chilly weather. For additional moisture and layers of protection, apply a hair mask or hair cream regularly.

Styling Tips for Frizzy Hair

Although frizzy hair may feel untamable, you may need a few styling adjustments to make things go smoothly. Here are some styling tips:

• Use a diffuser: A diffuser is a must-have for anyone who likes to blow dry their hair, especially with waves or curls. It can cut down on frizz while adding structure to curls and ringlets. Before you use a diffuser or any heat tool, make sure to apply a heat protectant. This extra level of protection is designed to shield your hair from damage that will likely come with styling tools.
• Use a good brush: An overlooked hair product to help with frizz is a good brush. A natural boar bristle brush works well because it is gentle and distributes natural oils from your scalp down your hair shaft.
• Heatless hairstyles: There are also dos and don’ts when styling frizzy hair. Opt for loose hairstyles, like a fishtail braid, messy bun, or even a good claw clip. This will reduce strain on potentially damaged locks while also working to conceal frizz.

Conclusion

Environmental factors, hair care habits, and chemical or natural causes can cause frizz. Whether this is humidity, a love for heat tools or coloring, or even genetically induced, there are many things you can do to tame frizzy hair. This can be as simple as turning down the shower temp, opting for heat-free hairstyles, or grabbing a few frizzy hair products by John Frieda.