There’s nothing that can get your day started off on the wrong foot like frizzy hair. It’s infamous for rearing its rebellious head on days when you’re short on time, stressed, or otherwise just not in the mood for a hair-taming routine. And humid rainy days? Well, that’s when your hair often throws the biggest tantrum ever.
We know how frustrating frizz can be, so we’ve made a quick list of tips that can help the next time you wake up with a hair crisis.
WHAT CAUSES FRIZZ?
Knowing what causes hair to frizz is half the battle of successfully keeping it under control.
If you could zoom in and view your hair under a microscope, you’d see that the outer cuticle layer of every strand of your hair is covered with tiny cells that overlap like shingles on a roof. When those shingles lie flat and smooth, your hair looks sleek and defined. When those shingles are raised, damaged and rough, they become a magnet for moisture in the surrounding air, and this causes your hair to swell and poof into a frizzy mushroom cloud.
Eliminating frizz is all about keeping that cuticle layer smooth and damage free so that those tiny shingles have less opportunity to raise and swell.
TIP #1 HYDRATE YOUR LOCKS
Frizzy hair is almost always dry, damaged, and dehydrated hair. This is why we experience the craziest hair days when it is rainy or humid outside----our dry, thirsty hair is desperately trying to absorb moisture from the air, and it kinks and swells into a miserable mess in the process.
Hydrating your hair is essential to destroying frizz. One of the best ways to do this is to switch to a gentle, hydrating shampoo (preferably one that is sulfate free) which will clean your hair without removing the natural oils that keep your strands soft, smooth, and protected against moisture loss. Too often, shampoo has a stripping effect on hair, hurting it instead of benefiting it. This is especially true of cheap drugstore shampoos which are laden with sulfates and harsh chemicals. Instead, opt for a mild, salon quality shampoo that will nourish, hydrate and protect.
TIP #2 DEEP CONDITIONConditioning is a must. The more quenched your hair is, the longer your styles last and stay frizz-free. For best results, look for conditioners that contain natural oils because they are absorbed more easily by your hair’s outer cuticle layer. Also look for conditioners that contain protein. A protein conditioner will manage frizz and create shine.
Liss Unlimited Keratin Oil Complex Conditioner is one of our salon products that we recommend specifically for unruly hair. It contains a pro-keratin complex of amino acids and wheat protein that mimic your hair’s natural keratin structure. It also has Kukui Oil and Evening Primrose Oil to control frizz and keep your hair smooth.
Aside from normal conditioning, a once-a-week deep conditioning treatment or hair mask can also help your hair stay smooth. Anything that is oil-infused works wonders. A great option is L’Oreal’s Keratin Oil Complex Masque (also available at the salon). It’s a smoothing mask that bathes your hair in hydration, polishes its surface and provides humidity protection. It’s also a great shine enhancer. Just like other Liss Unlimited products, it uses a pro-keratin blend of amino acids and wheat protein, along with Kukui Oil and Evening Primrose Oil. To treat your hair to a little at-home spa time, apply the masque to wet hair, wrap in a towel and leave on for 30 minutes. Then rinse, air dry, and savor your amazingly smooth and shiny strands.
TIP #3 DON’T OVERWASHShampooing on a daily basis is another habit that can contribute to frizz, particularly if you have hair that is chemically altered, fine, damaged, color-treated, highlighted, naturally curly, or coarse. Frequent shampooing can dehydrate your hair and remove natural oils which keep your hair’s cuticle smooth and protected against moisture loss.
Start washing your hair every other day (or less often if you have very dry, curly or coarse hair). If your hair gets oily at the scalp between shampoos, apply a dry shampoo like L’Oreal Fresh Dust at the roots. Fresh Dust is an invisible, talc-free product with micronized minerals that will absorb excess oil and odor, and leave your hair with a nice refreshing fragrance.
TIP #4 TOSS YOUR OLD TOWEL FOR A NEW MICRO FIBER ONE
One thing that you never want to do is to scrub your head relentlessly with a towel right after you step out of the shower. Your hair is delicate, and all of that vigorous rubbing just roughs up the surface and causes friction.
Instead of using a normal bath towel, try a super soft microfiber towel, and gently blot your hair to remove the excess water. Then air dry or use a diffuser with cool air.
TIP #5 BANISH THE HEAT TOOLS
Since heat is one of the worst offenders when it comes to frizz and cuticle damage, it’s important to limit the use of irons, dryers, and other hot tools when you’re styling. As often as you can, skip blow drying altogether and let your hair air dry.
When you must use the dryer, try one of these strategies to keep frizz down to a minimum:
• Air-dry your hair almost completely and use the blow-dryer just to finish the look, when it’s already 90% dry.
• OR use the cool air setting on the dryer along with a diffuser.
• OR apply a thermal protectant cream or serum like L’Oreal Blow Dry Cream. Then dry your hair partially with warm (not hot) air, and roll it onto Velcro rollers. Let it cool, set, and finish air drying on the rollers. When you remove the rollers, you’ll have frizz free hair with lots of volume.
For best results, choose an ionic ceramic blow dryer. Ionic dryers reduce frizz by compressing the cuticle, which locks out external moisture.
TIP #6 SLEEP ON SILK AND SATIN
Not only is it just incredibly luxurious to sleep on a satin or silk pillow case, it’s also a great way to protect your hair from becoming frizzy overnight, particularly if it’s really curly. Cotton pillow cases can be rough and can create friction as your hair rubs against them while you sleep. Silk and satin give your hair a friction-free surface instead.
TIP #7 GO ALCOHOL FREE
Look for alcohol-free styling products. Alcohol can dry hair out, and dry hair is the precursor to frizz and unruly tresses. Read labels carefully, and avoid anything alcohol related.
TIP #8 USE A LEAVE IN PRODUCTStyling creams and smoothing serums are great frizz-fighters because they are specifically designed to create a barrier between your hair and external elements. (This is especially important for girls with curly or coarse hair. The curlier your hair, the more product you’ll need.) If you don’t already have a favorite, try Liss Unlimited Smoothing Dual Serum. It is a great leave in product that protects your hair from frizz and humidity while smoothing every strand for a perfect finish. Work it through damp strands from roots to ends using your fingers, and then let your hair dry. If your hair gets a little unruly during the day, you can rub a small amount of the serum between your palms and then smooth over any trouble spots.
TIP #9 DON’T BRUSH WHEN DRY
The best time to brush and detangle is in the shower while conditioner is still on your hair. (Use a wide-tooth comb or a brush with flexible, widely spaced, rounded-tip bristles to comb out all the tangles.) Try to avoid brushing your hair after it has dried. Brushing dry hair causes friction that can damage the cuticle layer, and it creates a fuzzy, puffy style. Dry hair is also less flexible than wet hair, so brushing it when it’s dry can cause breakage and stress.
TIP # 10 AVOID OVER PROCESSING
Relaxers, straighteners, high lift lightening, perms, and other chemical services can damage the outer layer of your hair and leave it rough, dry, frizzy and ragged. Try to limit chemical services that can add stress to your hair, and pamper your locks as often as possible with products that will nourish, strengthen, repair and hydrate.
There is no one, perfect, frizz control product or solution, but a combining the habits above along with a few changes to your styling routine can make a true, recognizable difference over time. The stylists at our hair salon in Vero Beach FL are also happy to help with additional tips for your specific hair situation. Stop by the salon and visit us soon!
