If you’ve ever pondered the questions of “Why is my curly hair frizzy?” or “How can I better manage my curls?”, you’re not alone. For those with curly frizzy hair, managing frizz feels like a lifelong quest.
Despite our efforts to tame and banish it, frizz is inherently part of our life as curly-haired individuals. Our hair is prone to frizz, a fact we must sometimes embrace rather than attempt to banish.
Whether seeking hair treatment to minimize frizz or exploring expertly created products and techniques, the battle against frizz can be frustrating.
The reality is, that a certain amount of frizz is normal for naturally curly hair. It can even add a functional frizz that provides a volume boost. However, when we yearn for defined, tamed curls, the answer lies in the proper products and techniques.
We curlies often have a love-hate relationship with our hair’s volume and texture. The key is knowing when to stop letting frizz control your hair narrative and start taking luck into your own hands by consistently applying what works best for your unique curls.
Why is Curly Hair Frizzy? The Answer
Why Curly Hair Become Frizzy?
The hair cuticle, covered in overlapping scales, usually protects the hair cortex and medulla. When these scales point downward, away toward the roots, your hair looks smoother and shinier. However, when the cuticle is raised, it allows moisture from the air to enter the hair shaft. This makes the hair swell, leaving you with curly frizzy hair.
So What are the Causes of Hair Frizzness?
Weather Really Matters
The weather truly plays a huge role in how our curly hair behaves. Humidity, rain, and hot, humid weather can turn the best hair day into a frizzy, poofy mess. When you step outside, excess moisture in the air makes your hair cuticles swell, and water molecules penetrate the hair’s surface, causing your curls to frizz up and fall flat.
Even a breezy day can cause frizz as the wind runs your hair ragged in the gusts. If you live in an environment that’s often humid, be it summer or year-round, expect your hair to become unruly and lose its shine and softness.
Dry Hair=Frizzy Hair
Dry hair often leads to frizzy hair, especially for those with curly to coily patterns where moisture is crucial but hard to maintain. Curly hair tends to be naturally dry because the scalp’s natural oil, sebum, has trouble traveling down the strands, leaving the lengths of the hair to lose moisture quickly.
To combat this, it’s essential to maintain a hair care routine focused on moisturizing, which includes using sulfate-free shampoos, deep conditioners, and leave-in treatments while avoiding excessive heat styling and ensuring regular trims. These steps can reduce frizz and turn those frizzy curls into soft waves.
Layering too Many Products
Layering too many products to style your curls can cause an overload and buildup that leaves the roots greasy and the ends frizzy. Products that contain heavy butters and oils are particularly prone to causing this issue, especially on fine hair which is more susceptible to product build-up.
While using natural ingredients seems beneficial, they too can contribute to build-up along with dirt and pollution from the air. To combat product and hard water build-up, consider a clarifying wash occasionally.
It’s a myth that we’ve been brainwashed to believe—that we need several different products to achieve the results we desire; often, that’s not true.
Protein Deficient Strands
When hair is over-moisturized, your curls might reach optimal hydration and even go beyond that point, causing them to feel very soft and lack definition. This can lead to wet frizz that turns into soft, mushy frizz once your hair is dry.
Sometimes, this frizz is actually due to a lack of protein, so it’s important to ensure your hair is properly hydrated before deciding if it needs more protein. The signs of hair needing protein or moisture can be similar, so being certain is key to avoiding overloading your hair with too much protein.
Excessive Protein
Protein overload can happen when you apply a heavy protein treatment that isn’t needed or by regularly using styling products that contain lots of protein. This will result in frizzy hair rather than smooth and sleek output.
Some hair types are more sensitive to protein than others, so it’s important to listen to and understand your own hair’s unique needs. Knowing when to adjust your routine can prevent unnecessary frizz and keep your curls healthy.
Damage from Heat and Color Treatments
Damaged hair from heat styling and color treatments can cause your cuticle to become rough and dull, lifting the scales and even totally stripping them away. This leaves the hair more porous, exposing the fragile inner cortex and making it more likely to attract moisture, leading to frizz.
Curly hair is particularly vulnerable to this kind of damage, especially with the double whammy of heat and dye. When this happens, your twisty pattern can go wild, and you may lose that natural “spring” in your strands.
If you’re thinking about lightening your locks, it’s best to consult a trained professional to do it safely and gradually.
Lack of Curl-Friendly Products
A major reason you might be experiencing frizz is the use of products that contain harmful ingredients for curly hair. Silicone is one of the worst offenders; it feels luxurious and adds shine at first, but over time, it leaves a buildup of synthetic residue that dehydrates your curls, making them dull, lifeless, and frizzy.
Another culprit is sulfates, which are harsh detergents in shampoos that remove too much of your natural oils, leaving your scalp and hair dry and your curls depleted of the moisture they need.
If you’re transitioning from silicone or sulfate-based products, be patient and give your curls time to recover; soon you’ll be amazed at how healthy your curls will look.
The Dangers of Careless Detangling
We’ve all been taught to brush our hair every day to keep it smooth and free of tangles, but this rule works better for straight hair. For curls, it’s best to avoid brushing and detangling when dry to prevent serious breakage.
Instead, try detangling your curls in the shower with your fingers when your hair is fully saturated with water and conditioner. The slip from the conditioner will help melt the knots and tangles without causing pain.
For extra help, use a Wide-Tooth Comb or a Detangle & Style Brush that’s gentle on wet or dry curls.
A Treatment Strategy for Frizzy Hair
If you’re seeking a game plan to manage frizzy hair, we’ve got a prescriptive checklist with 7 steps that include product recommendations specifically formulated to hydrate, strengthen, and define your curls, coils, and waves.
- To hydrate your frizzy, dry curls, choose products designed for curly hair. Since curly hair is naturally drier than straight hair, it needs more moisture. Regularly use special shampoos and conditioners when you wash and style your hair. Employ techniques like ‘squish to condish’ to infuse curls with moisture and reduce frizz. Make a proper night-time frizz-free hair care routine.
- If you’re experiencing frizz due to dryness, using products with moisturizing ingredients can help smooth the hair’s cuticle and prevent frizz as the hair dries. For those with dry hair, applying a deep conditioner regularly, like once a week or every two weeks, is crucial to maintain moisture. If your hair is not very dry, a deep condition once a month or less might suffice.
- To reduce frizz, apply your products evenly to damp or wet hair and add water as needed while styling. Ensure your hair is fully detangled before applying any products, and use a brush or your fingers to smooth the hair during styling.
- Using styling products like gel can tame frizz and keep it at bay. Gels create a protective cast on the hair when dried to prevent frizz from forming. If you don’t like crunchy hair, simply scrunch out the gel cast after the hair is fully dry. For a non-crunchy look, various techniques can achieve a gel cast without the crunch.
- Avoid rubbing your hair with a cotton towel as it can rough up the cuticle and cause frizz, tangles, and breakage. Instead, advise air drying or squeezing the hair dry using a microfiber towel or a cotton t-shirt to prevent too much moisture loss which leads to dry, frizzy curls.
- Using oils can help seal moisture in your hair and protect it from humidity. While oils may not tame frizz entirely, they help smooth the hair’s cuticle and prevent moisture loss.
Final Thoughts
While you’re now armed with advice on the causes of frizz and ways to manage it, it’s important to remember that curly hair is unique and never perfect; frizz is simply part of the journey. Embrace your curls and the frizz that comes with them. Though it’s unrealistic to get rid of frizz entirely, you can apply techniques and products discussed here to help tame it as part of your daily routine.
FAQs
How do I make my curly hair less frizzy?
To make your curly hair less frizzy, focus on moisture—it’s the one thing your hair needs most. Avoid brushing, detangle carefully, and cover your hair at night. Utilize oils and use a silk or satin pillowcase. When drying, dry your hair with a microfiber towel to help lock in moisture and reduce frizz.
Why Do My Curls Turn Into Frizz?
Curls need moisture because they tend to be naturally dry. Their spiraled shape makes it harder for natural oils from the scalp to travel down and coat the strands, which can leave them frizzy even when you take care of them.
Why Does My Curly Hair Get Frizzy When It Dries?
Curly hair is best managed when wet because once it’s dried, electrostatic charges between hairs can contribute to friction and frizz.
How Do You Restore Frizzy Curly Hair?
Gently cleanse with a co-wash and treat deeply damaged curls using a reparative shampoo. Hydrate curls with deep conditioners and wrap hair in a microfiber towel after washing. Apply a leave-in treatment to rebuild hair strands, and use styling products with added nourishment. Always ensure heat protection is used.
Dive into the world of curls with Farah, a celebrated curly hair expert whose passion and expertise have transformed her into a beacon for those seeking to embrace their natural hair texture. With a vibrant career spanning over a decade, Farah has dedicated herself to the science and art of curly hair, making her an authoritative voice in this niche. Her deep understanding of curly hair’s unique needs and challenges allows her to craft personalized care routines and styles that not only enhance the natural beauty of curls but also promote hair health.