You’re dreaming of mimicking that perfect amount of volume that you received from your hairdresser during a blow dry, but your hair does not cooperate. Instead of having that nice lift at your roots, your natural hair is very “poofy” or frizzy. No matter how much you blow dry, wet or style your hair, it’s just not working out. Help! Managing frizzy hair can be a frustrating task, but following these tips can get your hair in control.
Taming and preventing the frizz
Frizzy hair, which can be genetic, is caused by lack of moisture. Combine this lack of moisture with dry hair and you’ve got the perfect recipe for poofy hair. Those with frizz usually have raised hair cuticles, allowing the moisture to make its way through and cause swelling to your hair strands.
PRO TIP: Preventing frizzy hair starts from the shower. Sustaining from hot showers and washing your hair less frequently can ensure there is a right balance of natural oils on your scalp. Here are some other tips to get that frizz under control:
#1 Use a sulphate-free shampoo
Ordinary shampoos often have sulphate to create a lathering and clean effect when washing your hair. The massive downside is that sulphates strip your natural oils, causing your hair to be coarse and dry. Did you know that using a sulphate shampoo is equivalent to using dishwasher detergent on your hair?
Swapping for a sulphate-free shampoo, especially with glycerine, can help balance your hair’s natural oil, while sufficiently cleaning dirt and debris from your scalp. Sulphate-free shampoos are also recommended if you have had your hair bleached or coloured, to maintain the brightness of your new hair dye.
#2 Don’t skip the conditioner
You now know that dry hair is a main ingredient for frizzy hair. That means that you cannot skip conditioner. Choosing the right conditioner will allow the product to seep deep into your hair strands and keep those cuticles hydrated.
After using a sulphate-free shampoo, part your hair down the middle. Squeeze the conditioner into your palms and work from the mid-section of your mane, down to the ends. Use your fingers to work the product into your hair strands. Try to avoid conditioner on your roots as this can cause an excessive oily scalp.
#3 Hair masks are your friends
When you pamper your skin with hydrating and detoxifying masks, combine this time with a hair mask for the ultimate pamper session. Whether you have straight or curly hair will determine which hair masks are best for you.
Curly hair girls (or boys) should opt for hydrating hair masks and products specifically designed to tighten curls and locks and detangle your hair. If you have other hair types, you can be less careful when picking your hair mask. Find a hair mask with argan oil and is targeted for damaged hair or deep conditioning.
No matter what hair type you have, treating yourself to an overnight hair mask is the ultimate way of showing love to your hair. To avoid spreading your hair mask all over your bed, cover your pillow with a towel and use a hair wrap. Using a hair wrap will trap the heat and push the moisture deeper into your hair.
If you’re lucky to have a salon hair treatment steam machine at home, don’t skip sitting under the steamer! Using a professional hair steamer allows your cuticles to be lifted and create a path for your hair products. Using a steamer can also circulate your blood flow and promote hair growth. Just remember, to avoid using the steamer for no longer than 20 to 30 minutes.
#4 Hello coconut oil
If you’re a natural product lover, you’ll know that coconut has many benefits for the body, skin and hair. With essential fatty acids, coconut oil has powerful effects on your metabolism.
Studies suggest that this specific oil not only helps promote hair growth and thickness, but also removes sebum-build up from your hair follicles that are caused by daily activities or other hair products. Coconut oil can be used as an express hair mask or an overnight deep treatment.
Applying coconut oil to your hair requires less product than a typical hair mask. Start with clean hair, parting your hair down the middle evenly. Grab a teaspoon amount of coconut oil in your palm and work the oil into your palm into it melts. Once the oil has melted, just like conditioner, start from the mid-section of your hair down.
PRO TIP: If your scalp is feeling dry, you can gently massage in a small amount of coconut oil around your roots. After leaving your mask on for your desired time, wash it off to reveal shiny and hydrated hair.
#5 Skip the hair dryer (or add hair serums)
Not all hair dryers are designed with the optimal heat that your hair can handle. If you’re not using a heat protectant for your hair type, avoid the hair dryer. Not using the right heat protectant serum for your hair can cause more damage than you may realise. If you’re not investing in a hair serum, skip the hair dryer and let your hair air-dry. Use your heat styling tools on a lower setting if you can’t avoid it.
RELATED: THE TOP HAIR SERUMS FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
So your hair isn’t dripping down your back, opt for a towel wrap. We’re used to seeing body-sized towels wrapped on our heads in the movies, but the weight of the towel and absorbed water can actually tug on your roots and make your hair weaker. Using a towel wrap soaks excess water without pulling down the weight and has the added bonus of giving you, the right amount of volume.
Getting Rid of Your Poofy Hair, forever?
Frizzy hair is also very dependent on your hair texture. You can’t change your hair thickness or shape of your hair strands, but can you get rid of frizzy hair, permanently? Hot oil treatments are known to improve brittle and frizzy hair but may not be the perfect fix for everyone.
Humidity and rain can be enemies to frizzy hair but are often hard to avoid. Though you may not be able to get rid of your frizzy hair forever, to avoid being in one of these situations, following the above tips or embrace your poofy mane!
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