How to Get Rid of Frizzy Hair
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About My Hair
My hair is medium length, medium thickness. It's always been a bit on the fine side and has some natural wave but isn't actually curly. Unfortunately, it's also a bit dry and tends to get frizzy if I'm not careful with it. It gets crispy and fly away if it get's too much attention from moisturizers, styling tools, or chemicals. A simple razor cut from the salon can result in a frightful, fly away, splintered look. As for humidity or a good rainfall, these can produce a large halo of angel fuzz hovering about my otherwise straight hair.
The Culprits
At one point in my life I used to wash and blow dry my hair every day. It gave my hair added fullness. Of course, when I wanted curls, I used hot rollers, and occasionally a curling iron. Over the years, I've highlighted and colored my hair, permed it, had it layered, and when the shine seemed to dull, I piled on more and more conditioner. Of course, stylists weren't always easy on my hair either, using all kinds of implements of destruction to coax it into a particular look. Razors for instance, are a favorite in some circles, although certainly not mine. Then there were the variety of products from volumizers to mousse which conspired to further transform my strands into fuzzy, frayed wisps.
Many products and styling tools can be blamed for frizzy hair, the top 10 scoundrels would include, but not be limited to:
Chemicals from perms and hair colors which damage hair
Razors used by stylist to achieve a certain look
Hot rollers
Curling irons
Blow dryers
Crimping irons
Flat irons
Bristle Brushes
Mousse
Hair Spray
Of course, some hair is more prone to frizz. Fine hair is often a victim, but so is dry hair and even coarser, curly hair. Certainly, damaged hair with split ends is often a victim as well.
The Steps for Getting Smooth Hair
If you're aware of the culprits that contribute to frizzy hair, then you're well on the road to curing the problem. A few changes in your daily routine and some different products can make a significant difference. Here are my suggestions on how to get rid of frizzy hair:
If you wash your hair daily, stop it. Wash less frequently. Give your hair a chance to benefit from it's natural oils and to take a break from some of the drying chemicals in shampoos.
If you use heavy conditioners with every wash, experiment with less frequent deep treatments or masks and lighter, leave in conditioners or smoothing serums. Personally, I got better results when deep conditioning before washing, then using no conditioner immediately after washing. There are a number of great deep conditioning treatments and masks on the market. However, even when money is tight, I buy a heavy creme conditioner, apply it to my dry hair, and then wrap a hot, wet towel around my head for at least 10 minutes for a decent treatment. This gets washed out of course. Then as my hair is drying, I apply a small amount of a light leave in conditioner or smoothing serum.
If you blow dry or use other heated appliances on your hair, stop it! At least, discontinue doing it except for special occasions. I still blow dry my hair periodcially but have seen positive results by allowing my hair to air dry 75% of the way and then blow drying using warm air versus hot, and ending with a blast of cool air. I keep the dryer at least 6-8 inches away from my hair and I always blow in a downward motion to assure I get a smoother look that fights frizziness. I also avoid brushing my hair while drying, I just run my fingers through it and then, using a large round or flat brush just before I finish (no bristle brushes), I can style it into place quickly. I always dry my hair completely before going outside into any humid or damp weather. Making sure it's completely dry and sealed with a leave-in conditioner before exposing it to humidity helps avoid frizziness.
Stylists use the hot irons on hair to straighten it and it works well, however, I avoid them at home as I'm sure that using the heat directly on my hair on a routine basis would cause significant damage.
Diligently keeping your hair trimmed helps also by shedding any split ends that add to the problem of frizziness. In particular however, I avoid razor cuts. I tell my stylist simply that I don't want a razor used on my hair. If your hair is particularly frizzy on the ends, you may well benefit from a shorter cut.
Another important step to get rid of frizzy hair is to find a product that works to maintain that smooth look. There are a number of anti-frizz products that can do a reasonably good job for people with a moderate problem. It's important to start with a very small amount and work it through your hair to be sure you don't weigh your hair down or get a greasy look.
Cutting back on other styling products sometimes helps as well. Too many products can damage your hair. Many of them are drying as well. Sometimes more is not what's needed.
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Comments
I'm hoping to "embrace" my gray hair one day. I certainly have some now, but I color it. As I get more, I hope to go natural! This is the plan anyway.
I hate frizzy hair, but I hate oily hair even more. How can I forgo washing my hair everyday without turning into a walking grease-ball? My hair is very fine and very prone to getting greasy, especially first thing in the morning. I nearly never blowdry and rarely, if ever, use curlers or irons. Shampoo and conditioner and a leave-in are my only products.
Dissie,
My suggestion would be that if your hair is very fine you might want to:
1. Skip the conditioner much of the time. These products will weigh your hair down and cause it to get greasy sooner. The anti-frizz products that you DO apply should then be applied after you are done washing and you apply it ONLY to the areas that are proned to frizzing. Use them in moderation.
2. I know I've read that frequent washing can actually make your hair get oily faster...they suggest you gradually begin washing your hair less often and over time it will adjust. I know when I started washing my hair less frequently I had problems with it being oily too...it's less of a problem now. I was lucky though, I worked at home and simply put my hair in a ponytail every other day until it seemed to get better!
3. I do know that when you wash, you should rinse with cool/cold water to help reduce frizziness also.
4. IF your frizziness is mostly on the ends, then you also might consider a trim.
Oh I hate when it is humid and my bangs curl up - my hair can tell me the weather - lol
Dear Mulberry1,
I younger and have the same condittion. How should I wash my hair? You said that wash it less frequently, what do you mean? Do you want me to take a quick shower no shampoo, and no conditioner? Pardon me, but, do you mind if I ask you to explain a bit more throughly? Would this be a bit more difficult if I have thick, strait hair?
Please and Thank you,
Abigail Iglesias
Dear Mulberry1,
my side of my bangs also curl up ,by the way.
Please and thank you,
Abigail Iglesias
Abigailigloo:
Basically, I mean if you wash your hair with shampoo each day, it is more likely to become dry, especially on the ends, and to become frizzy. Therefore, if you avoid shampooing it daily it will frizz less. So yes, if you can shower but avoid washing your hair, that helps. The natural oils on your hair will help to keep it healthy, shiny and frizz free. Shampooing no more often than every other day is best.
Using an anti-frizz or smoothing serum on the areas that tend to get frizzy is important too. Most stylists will also use an ionic heat flat iron on hair that tends to curl up. It straightens the hair and keeps it that way. I don't use them because I don't like to apply heat of any kind to my hair. However, you could try that since your hair is thicker (and probably not as fine as mine)
dear everyone .
I hate frizzy hair . :)
I'm just glad to have lots of hair; most of my male friends don't.
My hair is very long,and frizzy.I do not curl or straighten my hair hardly at all,or put much gell in my hair i just shampoo and condision.My hair is great without the frizz. It always looks like I NEVER brush my hair because of the frizz. My hair is damaged wich makes it even worse. Best hopes her advise works!
Heyo, like the tips, shall tell them to my friend. Thanku, check me out, K? Sophia, 12 :)
I have frizzy hair too. Now I just keep it really short to keep it under control, but my daughter has the same hair. Curly, wavy, frizzy. Of course, she won't even brush hers. She's 12.
irenemaria says:
6 months ago
My hair is like this! Now I know what to do! Can I get rid of the gray ones too?