Frizzy Hair

What causes frizzy hair, and how do you fight it? Frizz is when some hairs curl or stand up on their own instead of lying with the hair around them. It can be genetic or come from damage or humidity, which swells and twists the hair shaft, and it is most common in curly hair because curly strands are drier. Everyday causes include dehydration, sleeping on rough fabrics, rough handling, heat, harsh chemicals and the wrong products. The number one fix is hydration: drink plenty of water and use hydrating, sulfate-free hair care suited to your hair type.

Amidst day-to-day temperature swings and humidity fluctuations, it is no surprise that many who are faced with frizzy hair naturally wonder where this nuisance comes from and, more important, how they can get rid of it! Let’s break down what exactly frizzy hair is, what its root cause is, and how you can fight it.

What Is Frizzy Hair?

Frizzy hair is a condition in which certain hairs in your head, which we call the frizz, refuse to align with their surrounding hairs but instead curl or stand up independently. These are the rebels or heroes depending on how you see frizz. This can create an irregular or frizzy texture, and it can be a nuisance to fight off.

What Causes Frizzy Hair?

Frizzy hair can be genetic, from hair damage or from environmental factors. Humidity is one such factor. In a humid environment, the hair allows moisture to penetrate the hair shaft which is absorbed into the cortex causing the hair to swell, twist and bend in an irregular manner. Frizzy hair occurs in all hair types, but occurs way more often in curly haired women than in any other type of hair due to the strands being more dehydrated, hence leaving it more prone to frizzing.

Why Do I Have Frizzy Hair?

Now that we’ve covered the technical cause of frizzy hair, the point to dwell on is, what exactly are you doing that’s causing the frizz in your hair? There are many reasons for hair, especially curly hair, getting frizzy. Dehydration is one such cause. If you don’t drink enough water throughout the day and aren’t keeping yourself fully hydrated, or are just following an imbalanced diet, you’re more prone to developing frizzy hair.

Another common cause of frizzy hair is the fabric you sleep on. If you happen to sleep on materials that are not something like silk or satin, your hair is probably going to go dry as it rubs on that material all night, hence resulting in frizzy hair.

Damage-related causes of frizz include roughly handling the hair, excessive heating of the hair, alkali relaxers and other harsh chemicals that are used in haircare.

Another lesser known cause of frizzy hair is one’s protein to moisture ratio. This is the case when one might be consuming too much protein without taking in enough moisture, hence causing frizzy hair.

The hair products you are using can also play a major role in causing frizzy hair. If your haircare products or shampoo contains any toxic materials or is incompatible with your hair type, you might end up with frizzy hair.

How Do You Fight Frizzy Hair?

The number one way to fight off frizzy hair is to simply keep your hair hydrated. First and foremost, drink lots of water. You need more water when you’re active and even more water to offset high protein intake.

Secondly, you need to turn to your hair care routine. Are the products you’re using hydrating? Are they appropriate for your hair type?

Shinkafa offers an entire line of hair care products without drying chemicals. Our hair care products are tailored for your hair and will help keep it moisturized and smooth, without harmful chemicals. Shinkafa’s frizz fighting products include Shinkafa Anti-Frizz Detangling Keratin Shampoo with Biotin, Anti-Frizz Detangling Keratin Charcoal Shampoo with Biotin, Shinkafa Anti-Frizz Conditioner, Shinkafa Protein Keratin Leave-In Conditioner and Shinkafa Hair Polish Finishing Serum which has both heat protection and moisture sealing properties.

There are those with very frizzy hair, whose option must include a smoothing treatment that is done every few months. The best of these must be a keratin smoothing treatment. Some of these can be done in salons, but their costs can be prohibitive. If you use such a treatment, it is imperative that you maintain your hair with shampoos and conditioners that do not have sulfates.

For frizz caused by the weather, from humid summers to dry winters, see our article Ahh, Frizzy Hair!

Frizzy Hair: Common Questions

Why is my hair so frizzy?

Most frizz comes down to dryness. Not drinking enough water, an imbalanced diet, too much protein without enough moisture, rough handling, heat, alkali relaxers and products that dry the hair or don’t suit your hair type all leave strands thirsty and prone to frizz.

Does humidity make hair frizzy?

Yes. In humid air, moisture gets into the hair shaft and is absorbed into the cortex, so the hair swells, twists and bends unevenly. Curly hair is affected most because its strands are drier to begin with.

Can a silk or satin pillowcase help with frizz?

It can. Rougher fabrics rub against your hair all night and dry it out, which leads to frizz. Sleeping on silk or satin reduces that friction.

What helps very frizzy hair?

Keep it hydrated with water and moisturizing, sulfate-free products. For very frizzy hair, a keratin smoothing treatment every few months helps, as long as you maintain it with shampoos and conditioners that do not have sulfates.

Salons, stores and distributors can order any Shinkafa hair care product in bulk, made to order. Request a wholesale quote.