We are always looking for a well-defined, tidy and silky hair: it could be said that it is the most desired goal for many people, men and women, with curly, wavy or straight hair, long or short. However, frizzy hair often ruins dreams and ambitions: stubby and unruly tufts, with the typical "straw effect", can make daily hair management a really challenging task and a brush stroke cannot always solve the problem. Indeed, the problem is often not only aesthetic in nature, and understanding the main causes of this situation is the first step to successfully solving it. In this article, therefore, we will try to go into detail about the most common factors underlying frizzy and puffy hair, with a view to providing practical and targeted advice on how to best take care of it.
In most cases, frizzy hair is also a health issue: when hair is well-groomed and disciplined, the benefits are also reflected in its internal well-being. For this reason, in addition to providing some of the most common immediate solutions for managing frizzy hair, we will list some tips and recommendations to adopt in the prevention phase: it is in fact essential to understand that hair care is a continuous process that requires commitment and constant attention. Continue reading to find out what causes frizzy hair and how to treat it.
Causes of frizzy hair
Frizzy hair can be a frustrating problem to deal with, because often we try to solve it without shedding light on the actual causes, with very unsatisfactory results. Understanding the root causes of this situation is essential to finding an effective way to manage unruly hair. So, let's start by listing the most common causes that create this unpleasant "frizz effect".
- Lack of moisture. One of the main reasons for frizzy hair is lack of moisture [1]. Hair is mainly made up of proteins and water, and when it lacks moisture, it becomes dry and prone to frizz. This is especially evident in places with a dry climate or during the winter, when the air tends to be drier.
- Incorrect habits in beauty treatments [2]. Healthy hair is protected by a layer of overlapping cuticles that keep the hair structure smooth [3]. However, excessive use of thermal hair styling tools, such as straighteners, curling irons and hair dryers, as well as chemical treatments such as coloring, bleaching or perming, can damage this structure: when the cuticles rise, the hair becomes more porous and tends to absorb humidity from the surrounding environment, causing frizz.
- Environmental and climatic conditions [2]. Particular climatic conditions are often the cause of the frizzy effect: when the humidity in the air is high, in fact, the hair absorbs water from the environment and swells. This is particularly evident during the summer or in environments with more than 65% humidity. Even prolonged exposure to the sun, air conditioning, atmospheric agents or excessive cold can recreate the straw effect typical of frizzy hair.
- Improper care [2]. An inadequate hair care routine can contribute to the development of frizzy hair: the use of overly aggressive substances or products, for example, or an inappropriate shampoo and conditioner, as well as the failure to use natural hydrating treatments, can make hair more prone to frizz.
- Bad habits. Other causes of frizzy hair may include constant rubbing of the hair against rough surfaces (e.g., cotton pillows), and the failure to use heat protection products when styling with heat [2]; an unbalanced diet [1] and a lifestyle particularly prone to stress and irregularity [1] can be the cause of frizzy hair.
In the following paragraphs, we will explore remedies and treatments to manage and improve the health of your hair, based on the causes that generated the problem, as well as providing advice on how to prevent frizz.
Remedies and Treatments for Frizzy Hair
There are several strategies and treatments that can help improve the condition of frizzy hair, restoring its silkiness, shine and brilliance. We have listed the most suitable ones to deal with the situation in an emergency moment, when the hair already appears damaged and frayed.
- Deep Moisturizing. If the cause of frizz is a lack of moisture, it is recommended to use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner, formulated specifically for dry and frizzy hair. Hydration is the key to treating frizzy hair. However, hydration must start from the inside, by drinking enough water every day [1]; in addition, a deep treatment with masks, gels or a pack on a weekly basis, or a hydrating cream to be applied every day [1], can help to keep the hair well hydrated. You can also apply coconut oil or apple cider vinegar [1] to the ends of the hair for additional hydration.
- Protein Treatments. Occasional protein treatments can help repair damaged hair, deeply moisturize, and ultimately reduce frizz. Look for products that contain proteins like keratin or sericin, a silk protein [2], to create an elastic film around the hair structure and strengthen the hair shaft.
- Combing. Combing is also a gesture to pay attention to when managing frizzy hair [2]: it is therefore advisable to use a wide-toothed or soft-bristle comb to comb the hair delicately, starting from the ends and working upwards.
- Natural oils. Natural oils, such as the aforementioned coconut oil, but also argan oil, linseed oil and jojoba oil, are very effective against frizz if applied to the ends and lengths of the hair: in fact, they help to increase hydration. On the other hand, you need to make sure not to overdo the quantity, as oils can weigh down the hair if used in excess: a few drops distributed in the palm of the hand will be more than enough.
- Drying at low temperature. Drying your hair is another delicate moment in the styling process and the final appearance of your hair naturally depends on it. To reduce frizz, it is advisable to reduce the temperature of the hair dryer and maintain a distance of at least 15-20 centimeters from the skin, in order to prevent any damage caused by excessive heat.
- Wash at low temperatures. Washing your hair and rinsing it with cold water also helps reduce the unpleasant frizz effect [4]. In fact, hot water tends to raise the cuticles that cover the shaft, while cold water closes the cuticles and facilitates the absorption of nourishing or hydrating products such as masks, mousses and specific creams.
- Nourishing Masks. Using nourishing hair masks once or twice a week can provide your hair with an extra dose of hydration and nourishment [1].
- Trimming the ends. If none of the above strategies work, you may want to consider trimming the ends and any damaged areas. Regularly trimming your hair to remove split ends will help keep it healthy.
How to dry frizzy hair
As mentioned, drying is a crucial step to consider to prevent frizz: a correct drying technique can make the difference between unruly hair and one with a defined and well-groomed appearance. Usually, the best process for drying frizzy hair begins after rinsing by gently patting the hair with a microfiber towel, avoiding friction or rubbing on fabrics such as cotton or linen, in order to remove excess water. Before moving on to the actual drying, it is advisable to apply a serum or an anti-frizz product on damp hair, or to use another type of heat protector.
If you use a hair dryer, it is best to set the hair dryer to a low or medium level, both in terms of power and temperature regulation: excessive heat, in fact, can damage the hair and increase the frizz effect. Furthermore, it is advisable to use a diffuser on the hair dryer to distribute the heat evenly and protect the hair, especially if the hair tends to be curly. Alternatively, drying in the open air is the best choice when conditions allow it: the surrounding environment must be warm and dry, and you must avoid touching the hair too frequently or moving it excessively. You can also use particular techniques such as plopping [6], which consists of letting the hair dry directly wrapped in a microfiber towel or a t-shirt.
During the drying process, the hair should be combed as little as possible: it is recommended to use a wide-toothed comb to gently untangle it, only when it is almost completely dry, starting from the tip and proceeding upwards to avoid pulling or breaking the lengths.
How to prevent frizzy hair
Prevention is often the key to reducing frizz. It is important to drink enough water and use moisturizing hair products regularly, not just when the problem is particularly evident. It is also recommended to follow an appropriate hair care routine, which is adapted to the type of hair (dry hair or oily hair, fragile or damaged hair, straight or curly styling, etc.) and use specific products for the needs of your hair.
Even the use of specific supplements can be a valid long-term strategy for the care of frizzy hair: recent studies have demonstrated the usefulness of active ingredients such as biotin and zinc, while the effectiveness of iron in the growth and increase of hair health has been refuted [6]. With the right care and good prevention, it is possible to reduce the impact of frizz in the management of your hair and show off a hair that is always tidy and well-defined.
Sources
[1] Veronica Cristino (Vogue Italia), Frizzy Hair , https://www.vogue.it/bellezza/article/capelli-crespi-cause-rimedi-naturali-trattamenti-anti-crespo-da-provare
[2] Istituto Elvetico Sanders, Stuffy hair, what are the causes and how to fix it , https://www.sanders.it/capelli-stopposi-cause-e-rimedi/
[3] Treccani Encyclopedia, Capello entry
[4] Humanitas Salute, “With cold water, shinier and healthier hair”, true or false?, https://www.humanitasalute.it/vero-falso/68620-lacqua-fredda-capelli-piu-lucidi-vero-falso/
[5] EFSA, Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to iron and maintenance of normal hair growth pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 , https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/2602
[6] Azzurra Digiovanni (La Repubblica), Curly hair: the Curly Girl Method in 5 steps , https://www.repubblica.it/moda-e-beauty/dossier/shopping-youniverse/2021/11/08/news/curly_girl_method_capelli_ricci-325214245/