Frizzy hair is one of the main problems that women deal with on a daily basis. Reducing frizz can be a difficult task however before you can reduce it you need to understand why your hair is frizzy in the first place, because you may be causing your own hair to frizz.
Frizzy hair is caused when the moisture and natural oils in hair is removed. This leaves hair strands coarse and dry, making it easier for hair to look frizzy. Many things can cause frizzy hair. You can genetically be born with coarse hair, which lacks protein. Although, it is more likely that it is something you are doing to your hair that is causing it to be frizzy.
Living in the South or close to the equator where humidity is higher has an effect on your hair. Humidity, moisture in the air, causes the outer layer of hair strands known as the cuticle to relax, allowing moisture to penetrate to the cortex, the middle layer of a hair strand. Both the cuticle and cortex affect the hairs’ appearance. When moisture reaches the cortex it causes uneven swelling which appears as frizziness.
More often than not many hair products, heating appliances or inappropriate drying methods cause frizzy hair. Hair stands naturally contain a small amount of water. When you shower the warmth of the water opens up the cuticles, which allows water into the hair shaft. However when you get out of the shower your cuticles remain open until the hair cools, to allow excess water out. If you rub a coarse towel over your hair you can cause damage to the exposed cuticle. The texture of a towel is rougher than your hair, making it easy to damage your cuticles. Heating appliances such as blow dryers, curling irons, and flat irons expose the hair to unnatural levels of heat. Using these appliances dries out the small amount of water that hair already has. If you continue to use these tools over and over again hair becomes dry and brittle. The cuticles become raised which creates an appearance of frizzy hair. Brittle hair is also more apt to have breakage. Hair products, such as gels, hairspray, and mousse also dry out hair, making it frizzier. Chemicals in these hair styling products penetrate to the cortex of the hair strand. The more products that you use the more likely your hair will be frizzy.
Because things that we do to our hair mostly cause frizzy hair, taming frizz shouldn’t be that difficult. By reducing your use of hair products and heating appliances you will leave the hairs’ natural moisture and oils, which protect the shaft of your hair. Also, stop being rough with your hair when it’s wet. Instead of roughly rubbing your hair with a towel, gently squeeze the excess water out of your hair. Or wrap your whole head with a towel loosely allowing the towel to soak up any excess water that will run out. Whenever possible allow your hair to dry freely by itself. This allows your hair to decide how much water should stay in the shaft and let the excess evaporate.
Much like your skin, our hair contains natural oils which protect and moisturize hair strands. When you wash your hair every day you strip your hair of these natural oils. Without these natural oils to moisturize your hair, your hair becomes dry and looks frizzy. Instead wash your hair every other day or every couple of days. Use a shampoo that moisturizes while it cleans your hair.
Use a deep conditioning treatment once a week on your hair to restore health, beauty and balance back into your locks. A deep conditioner should be one that sets in your scalp and hair for about a half an hour. This will repair damaged cuticles and restore moisture back into the hair strands. Deep conditioning agents can be found at the store, in salons, or natural hair care remedies can be used.
Apply a leave in conditioner before using any heating appliance. This prepares your hair before applying a lot of heat. Always dry hair downward to smooth out the cuticle rather than going against it, which gives it the frizz appearance.
If you’re stuck without a way to tame your frizz you can use regular moisturizers. Dab a little on your hand and run your fingers over the frizzy hair. Lotion will smooth out your frizzy hair in a snap. Although it can weigh down your hair and if you use too much make it look oily. So only use it on a per-needed case rather than as a backup for frizzy hair.
If your hair frizzes up the minute you step out the door it may be caused by static in the air. Reduce this effect by running a dryer sheet/fabric softener sheet over your hair. Just like it reduces static in your clothes it will decrease the frizz and flyaways from your hair.
Getting regular haircuts is necessary for the health and growth of your hair. It also reduces the look of frizzy hair by cutting off the split ends and breakage. Dry and damaged hair is more noticeable at the ends, which reflect sunlight. By trimming your hair every six months you can reduce the appearance of frizzy breakage.
If changing the way you wash, dry or style your hair is just not an option for you, then invest in frizzy hair products. Avoid any product that contains alcohol or sodium lauryl sulfates because they will dry out your hair as well as destroy the health of your hair. Hair care products that reduce frizz normally come in small packages that cost a pretty penny, however a little bit should go along way when it comes to applying them to your tresses.
Article courtesy of articlesbase.com. You can find the article at: http://www.articlesbase.com/hair-articles/what-causes-frizzy-hair-4827969.html
