Here’s How To Put A Fight Up With Your Frizzy Hair And Win

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Nothing feels better than a freshly washed and styled head of hair and nothing can interfere with that buzz quite like humidity. Whether your hair immediately falls flat when you step outside or it frizzes up out of your control, you know the feeling. In the moment it feels like no amount of hairspray or miracle beauty product can save the day. So what forces are fueling this indescribable frizz and how can you get ahead of this problem? I’m sure we’d all like to know, so keep reading to find out from the experts!

Intern, Rajeshwari Rawal, Dr. Shamila Rawal | Hair Restoration | Wisconsin

When the cuticle layer of the hair becomes damaged, natural moisture can escape, leaving hydrogen bonds in the hair to form and create frizzy, unruly hair. These hydrogen bonds, being weaker but more prevalent in the hair, have a large impact on the shape of your hair. In humid environments, ambient moisture can become trapped in the hair as a substitute for the moisture the cuticle layer has lost, which is why people often struggle with ‘crazy hair’ during humid weather. Adding heat to your hair when styling, whether using a curling iron or a simple hair dryer, breaks the hydrogen bonds in the hair and reshapes them in a different way; this can be a leading cause of consistent frizziness. Static charges and a rough cuticle layer can also cause flyaways and frizzy hair, and both can be affected by choice of hair products. While certain types of hair products can reduce static charges introduced to the hair, low-quality shampoos and a lack of conditioner can further destroy a rough cuticle.

One of the easiest ways to prevent frizz is not to overwhelm your hair with heat or product. By decreasing the amount of hydrogen bonds that break and reform in a different shape, your hair will return to the shape it was before washing. Additionally, using too much product unsuitable for the situation (or too little conditioner) can destroy the cuticle layer and cause more natural moisture to escape. Since brushing wet hair can disturb the cuticle and break the hair, finger-combing it or even just towel-drying wet hair is optimal.

Retention of natural moisture is key in reducing frizz, so use conditioners, specifically those that are protein restorative, to avoid frizz and keep the cuticle moisturized, intact and healthy. Dr. Rawal carries Baobab Protein Strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner, by Antidote 1848, both specifically purposed to hydrate the hair and repair the cuticle, reducing frizz and creating a healthy luster. She also offers their Ginseng Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner for increased moisture and stimulation of hair growth. The Goldenseal Hair Protector coats hair strands to reinforce the moisture seal and protect the cuticle from damage by heat styling. Finally, Dr. Rawal offers Antidote 1848’s Avocado Frizz Fixing Styler–moisturizing with a gentle hold.

While avoiding excessive exposure to humidity and the overuse of hair products can help one manage their “crazy hair," frizz can also be prevented from a health and wellness standpoint. As in all aspects of hair health, maintaining a clean, nutritious diet is essential, especially one that is rich in protein. Ample overall hydration is also key. Brushing dry hair prior to shampooing is recommended to protect delicate wet strands from breakage, and use of silk bonnets or pillowcases can aid in reduction of static charges.

For more information, visit Dr. Rawal's website, Instagram, or Facebook!

Dr. Melissa Toyos | Hair Restoration | New York

It’s summertime and the living WOULD be easy if we weren’t all fighting a full-on frontal assault with hair frizz. Summertime heat and humidity can combine to make hair go “poof faster than a popsicle melting in the sun. What’s the best way to deal with summertime frizz?  It’s all about the hair cuticle. Here’s everything you need to know this summer to show your hair who is boss.

Frizz happens, but why? The hair cuticle is the part of the hair shaft that you can see and feel. Overlapping layers of protein and keratin, make up the cuticle like roofing shingles on a ta house. Hair gets frizzy when the cuticle is open. Curly hair naturally has a more open cuticle but the cuticle can also be opened from rough treatment, processing or damage. And when the cuticle is opened, it is more open to absorbing moisture – like humidity from the surrounding air.

Frizz prevention starts at home, mostly in your shower. Start by lowering the temperature of the shower to avoid cuticle raising hot water and hit your strands with a cold rinse at the end to smooth. Reduce shampooing to prevent unnecessary roughness. Anti-frizz shampoos should be sulfate-free and if you can get away with it, a dry shampoo will allow your hair’s oils to naturally smooth frizz. Remember, the more you moisturize at home, the less your hair will need to draw moisture from the air, so moisturize deeply and often with natural coconut and argan oils to soothe that savage cuticle. Once out of the shower, use the TikTok trick of “plopping” – flipping your hair directly only a microfiber or cotton t-shirt and gently wrapping it to let the excess water soak in instead of rubbing. For styling, less is more. Finger style (avoid hair products with alcohol) and air dry if you can but if you need to heat style be sure to prep with high quality heat protectors.

In the salon, staying ahead of split ends will prevent them from expanding up the hair shaft. Blunt cuts add weight to your hair so that gravity can help you fight the frizz. Olaplex hair repair treatments strengthen hair and repair cuticle damage making hair resist the frizz. Keratin treatments can fill in missing cuticle keratin temporarily. Straightening treatments like Japanese water treatments and Brazilian blowouts are the nuclear option against frizz using high temperatures to seal keratin to the hair strand making it literally impervious to humidity.

If you’re on the street dealing with frizz, spray a hairspray on hands or a toothbrush to smooth hai. A spot of hand cream rubbed together between palms can help in a pinch to smooth flyaways. And when push comes to shove, a sleek bun can seal the deal.

No one said dealing with frizz would be easy, but armed with these tricks, who’s ready to make frizzy summertime hair go “poof”?

For more information, visit Dr. Toyos's website, Instagram, or Facebook!