Common Causes Of Frizzy Hair & How To Tame It

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By Elizabeth Franklin APR 1, 2022
  • Everyone has had frizzy hair at some point - read this article to find out why it happens and what you can do to put the poof to an end.
  • Not sure what your frizzy hair needs? Get matched to your perfect hair solution in 90 seconds with SpoiledChild’s™ SpoiledBrain™ quiz

We all know what frizzy hair looks like (poofy, static-y and messy), but what is frizz, really? What does it do to our hair, and how can we stop it from completely ruining our mood?

WHAT IS FRIZZ?

In short, frizz occurs due to a lack of moisture in the hair.

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In normal, healthy conditions, the outer layer of each hair strand - known as the hair cuticle - lays down flat and smooth. On damaged or dehydrated hair, the cuticles open up and run in different directions.

Damaged & open hair cuticles let essential moisture from the hair shaft escape, allowing moisture from the air to enter and cause the shaft to swell - hence the frizz.

While some hair types are more prone to frizz than others, there are many common causes to frizz that can plague almost anyone.

Have you noticed frizzier hair than usual? Take this short quiz to learn what you can do about it.

WHAT CAUSES FRIZZ?

1. Overwashing & Towel-Drying

Yes - there is such a thing as washing your hair too often. Daily washing can strip your hair of the natural oils it needs to stay healthy. Most hair types only need 2-3 shampoo days a week to ensure the hair stays clean and nourished.

Combine overwashing with frequent, rough towel-drying and you get the perfect recipe for frizz. Traditional towels made of cotton fibers can easily ruffle your cuticles, giving your hair that static-y look. To avoid this, we recommend using an old T-shirt or microfiber towel to gently tap the hair dry.

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2. Heat-Styling & Harsh Chemicals

Hot tools are notorious for drying out and damaging healthy locks, hence the post-blowout frizzy appearance. Additionally, applying hair products with harsh chemicals like sulfates or alcohols strips the hair of beneficial, natural oils it needs to remain smooth. Be sure to avoid heat-styling when possible and switch to healthy, paraben and sulfate-free hair products to give your hair a fighting chance against other frizz aggressors.

3. Humidity

For everybody in warmer climates - you know all too well that humidity can wreak havoc on your head. In the most simple scientific terms, humid air causes hydrogen bonds to form between hair proteins, triggering frizz. Overdried hair in particular will suffer from humidity the most; the hair’s outer layers eagerly soak up the air’s moisture and swell immensely. Hello poofiness!

The solution? A moisturizing hair mask

No matter your hair type, color or damage-level,

you can always benefit from a nourishing hair treatment.

Not only do hair masks penetrate deeply into the hair cuticle to nourish at the cellular level, but they also create a seal around each strand to keep hair smooth and frizz-free.

If you struggle with frizz on a consistent basis, hair masks with natural ingredients like shea butter or coconut oil can do wonders. These two ingredients contain high concentrations of fatty acids which work as natural emollients to moisturize the scalp and hair and reduce frizz.

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To maintain smooth, healthy hair, it’s typically advised to use a deep conditioning hair mask about 1-2 times a week for a dose of more intense hydration and to keep frizz at bay.

Ready to try out a new hair mask or find your perfect hair sequence? Take this quiz to see what products are right for you.

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