6 Tips for Taming Frizzy Hair

First things first, let’s figure out why curly hair gets frizzy. Each hair fiber consists of three layers, starting from the inside: the medula, the cortex, and the cuticle. The cuticle is the outermost layer of the hair strand, consisting of several layers of flat cells that overlap one another like roof shingles. When your hair is hydrated, those cells lie flat, making it smooth.

However, curly or wavy hair is prone to dryness and tends to absorb moisture from the air. When the air is humid, the cells making up the cuticle lift to facilitate absorption. As a result, the hair starts looking frizzy. So, basically, to tame the frizz, you need to a) make sure that your hair is hydrated at all times, and b) smooth down the cuticle and make sure it stays that way. How exactly can you do that?

1. Cut back on brushing your hair. Stylists recommend that you avoid brushing curly hair when it’s dehydrated. Brushing disrupts the hair’s cuticle and may even lead to breakage. To prevent frizz, you should gently finger-comb your hair after shower, while it’s still slightly wet. If you absolutely need to de-tangle your hair but have no time to wash it, apply a hair mist or wet your hands, then finger-comb your curls to de-tangle and tame them. When your hair isn’t dehydrated, brush it with a round brush to prevent frizz.

2. Switch to a sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfates – such as sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate – and other harsh surfactants dry the hair out and do nothing to smooth down the cuticle. Sulfate-free shampoos are much gentler. They don’t strip the hair of its natural oils and keep the cuticle smooth. You can also skip shampoo altogether and try co-washing (washing your hair with conditioner).

3. Don’t skip conditioning. Conditioning is essential for wavy and curly hair that tends to get dry and frizzy. You should condition your hair every time you wash it to prevent the frizz. Before choosing a conditioner, check out its ingredient list. Silicone-based conditioners are quite effective, but the effect doesn’t last long. If you need a long-lasting effect, look for protein-infused hair conditioners that repair damaged hair from the inside, helping both manage frizz and restore healthy shine.

4. Make sure your hair is always hydrated. If your hair is prone to dryness and brittleness, using a conditioner may not be enough to keep it hydrated. Luckily, there are a lot of hair care products that provide the hair with nutrients and lock in moisture, such as hair masks and carrier oils. Give your hair a special treatment at least once a week.

5. Protect your hair from high temperatures. Heat damages your hair’s structure and makes it even frizzier than usual. To protect your hair from high temperatures, try to use flat irons and curling irons as little as possible. When you absolutely cannot avoid heat styling, be sure to protect your hair with special products.

As for blow drying, it isn’t good for your hair either. Most stylists agree that it is best to let curly hair dry naturally. Again, when you absolutely need to blow-dry your hair, make sure that the air isn’t too hot, use a blow-dryer with a diffuser, and apply heat-protectant products.

6. Avoid alcohol-containing products. Alcohol is one of the most popular ingredients in mass market cosmetics. Many hair sprays that are supposed to manage frizzy hair actually make it even frizzier because they contain alcohol that strips the hair of moisture.