How to Keep Curly Hair from Frizzing: 12 Tips
Stopping frizz can seem nearly impossible. It may seem like your hair is permanently frizzy and hopeless, but that isn’t the case. Usually, it just means that you aren’t treating your hair like you should.
Thankfully, this article is here to cover why exactly hair gets frizzy, and 12 tips on how to keep your curly hair from frizzing so you can go out feeling happy with your look, instead of like you’ve recently been struck by lightning.
Is It Normal for Curly Hair to Frizz?
It is normal for curly hair to frizz, and often more so than for those with straight hair. Those with wavy hair may also find that their hair frizzes up more than normal.
This is because the hair is dry. It is easier for the natural oils produced by your scalp to travel down hair that is straight than hair that is curly or wavy.
Damaged or hot hair can also frizz, but the most common reason is dryness when it comes to hair that is curly.
While it is normal for curly hair to frizz, that doesn’t mean you have to live with it. There are steps you can take to make sure your hair is always luxurious and smooth, with little to no frizz.
Dryness can be easy to fix once you know what you are looking for, as you can look at oils and hair masks. However, other things in your environment may also add to the dryness such as the sheets you use, the shampoo, brushes, towels, heated products, and more.
12 Tips to Keep Curly Hair from Frizzing
1. Look at Frizz Protectant
You may think that if you live in a humid environment, your hair would not get so frizzy. After all, humidity means moisture, which means your hair shouldn’t be dry, right? Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
When hair is referred to as dry, it means it is lacking oil – similar to skin. Using water on your face doesn’t hydrate it, but lotion does. Your hair works the same way.
Humidity can make the cuticles more open and rough. The hair will start to absorb the water and become frizzier than in some drier environments.
Thankfully, there are methods to combat frizzy hair in humid environments. There are products out there specifically designed to fight against frizz caused by humidity. Hair serum is a common one. You just put it into your hair while it is still wet, focusing on the ends where your hair will be drier.
This will help keep your hair sealed so it doesn’t allow in water, while also keeping oils where they should be.
2. Let Your Hair Air Dry
Many people towel dry their hair. I mean, no one wants to go around with hair dripping wet for hours, so it makes sense. However, traditional bath towels can be bad for your hair as they create friction and mess with the cuticle, which causes frizz.
If you can, let your hair air dry. If that doesn’t work for you, focus on blotting your hair dry when you can, or get a microfiber towel that won’t cause as much friction. If you don’t want to go buy another towel just for your hair, look at using a soft cotton t-shirt instead.
3. Find Gentle Hair Products
There are many products out there that aren’t produced with good quality. If you constantly use these, your natural oils will be stripped, which will make your hair more frizzy than normal.
Some products and chemicals that are known for stripping hair pretty badly are:
• Hair dyes
• Perms
• Sulfates
• Ammonia
• Bleach
• Lightening agents
• Alcohols
When looking for any hair products, including shampoo, conditioner, creams, and hairspray, check the ingredients to make sure that none of these chemicals are present in your product.
Many products claim to be beneficial for your hair but are damaging. If you want something that works, ask your hairstylist what they recommend. You can purchase some directly from them, but you can also ask which ones you can find in your local store. They are often a little more pricey, but well worth the cost.
4. Don’t Style Your Hair Without Protection
Tools that use heat for styling can severely damage hair. Not only do they dry out your hair, but it causes damage that prevents your hair from soaking in oils.
It is a bad idea to use heated tools every day, so you should avoid them as much as you can. Additionally, whenever you do use them, you want to look for products that protect you from heat damage. There are a variety of different products like conditioners, oils, and sprays.
5. Let Your Hair Go a Few Days Between Washings
Once you get into the habit of washing your hair every day, it can be hard to stop. The next day, your hair feels greasy and gross, even if it is normally frizzy. However, if you can go a few days between washing your hair, that’s better for you.
At most, people don’t need to wash their hair more than two or three times a week, or every other day. However, if you can, go longer without washing your hair. Some hair types allow them to go as far out as two weeks.
This can help make sure that your hair gets the natural oils it needs, as washing it every day strips the natural oils, even if you use good products.
Additionally, when you wash your hair, you want to use good products. You can ask your stylist for specific ones, but try to find good brands that have products designed specifically for curly hair, or find ones that say they are moisturizing.
If you need a little boost between washes, look at getting a curl resetting spray as well. It can help make your hair a little fresher while you are trying to spread out your hair washes.
6. Trim Your Ends
Trimming your hair regularly helps to eliminate any damaged hair. Split ends and breakage can also cause frizzy hair, even if you are doing everything well, so make sure you are trimming off the ends regularly.
7. Try Out Hairspray or Smoothing Cream
Hairspray and smoothing creams can help to hide frizz on days it is bad. There are specific creams and sprays meant to fight off frizz and allow your hair to look good, even on days it is highly humid or just a bad hair day.
8. Look for Good Conditioner and Hair Masks
Hair masks and conditioners are meant to help your hair absorb and retain moisture. Finding good products that you use every few washes can dramatically reduce the amount of frizz your hair produces. Plus, it will feel and look nicer. Find ones with good moisturizers like avocado oil.
9. Use a Better Brush or Just Don’t Brush
Most people recommend not brushing your hair, or brushing it as little as possible, as the friction from the bristles can lead to damaged hair and breakage. If you do want to use a brush, look at ones like boar bristles, as these help to move the oil from your scalp along your hair, and aren’t as damaging.
Combs are also good options, especially ones with big spaces between the teeth.
10. LOC Method
In addition to oils, many people find that a method known as the LOC method works well for them. This is a method that involves using a product like a leave-in conditioner, then an oil, and then a cream. It helps to keep your moisture in place, and also increases moisture where you may already have dry hair.
This style is designed specifically for those with curls. While others can still benefit from it, those with curly hair will find it works well for them.
It sometimes takes a while to get the hang of it though. Certain products work better for people than others, and you may have to experiment until you find a mixture of products that suits your hair well.
You don’t have to do this method daily. It’s better to do it on the day you wash your hair, to allow your hair to absorb the products without it weighing down your hair. The less you wash your hair, the less you will have to use these products.
11. Cover Your Hair at Night
Like towels, if your sheets aren’t made from the right material, they can be easily damaged by your sheets. This can lead to excessive damage as well as frizzy hair. If you can’t afford better sheets like silk, try to put your hair in a cap or have some sort of cover on it to prevent damage when you are tossing and turning.
12. Use Cooler Water to Wash Your Hair
Washing hair in hot water works similarly to living in humidity. It can stress your scalp, which makes it more difficult for your hair to produce beneficial oils. Instead, look at using cooler water. While it doesn’t have to be perfectly cold, even lukewarm water can be useful.