Frizz is the enemy of curly hair, and you may spend a good portion of your natural hair journey trying to get rid of it.
Most naturals will have at least some frizz, and reducing it could be just a matter of making a few tweaks to the regimen. Although some frizz on natural hair is normal, having an excessive amount of frizz is a sign of damage.
In this article you’ll find ways to prevent frizz and how to tame it when you’re styling your natural hair. If you’re looking for ways to get rid of frizz on curly hair, read on.
What Causes Frizz on Natural Hair?
Frizz is a strong indication of dryness and damage. You lose curl definition when a strand strays away from the clump in search of moisture.
Dry frizzy strands can also comingle and tangle onto healthy strands to cause further damage. It’s a good idea to tend to your frizz, although you’ll probably never be able to completely eliminate it if you have curly hair.
Dryness occurs when your hair lacks moisture, and damage can occur from the following:
Bad Haircare Products. Using products with sulfates, harmful alcohols, and other harsh chemicals can strip your hair of moisture. Try either using store-bought products that don’t contain a lot of additives, or make your own DIY concoctions at home. Also avoid overwashing your hair. Wash your mane 1-2 times per week if you have type 3 or 4 hair.
Excessive Heat. Using heat tools can damage hair, especially when they’re too hot or they’re used weekly. Flat irons are worse than blow dryers because you need to heat the hair between two hot plates. But it is possible to straighten your hair without damage if you learn how to control the heat and if you’re careful to use heat protectant sprays.
Color Processing. Hair dyes almost always damage hair, especially when you use them to lighten your mane. Most hair dyes work by stripping your natural pigment away, and this can damage the structure of the shaft. It can be a fun look to color your hair, but be sure and apply protein and deep conditioning treatments to patch up the damage.
Friction. Abrasive fabrics from ponytail holders, shirt collars, and cotton towels can cause damage and breakage. Layer moisturizers onto your hair to prevent harsh fabrics from wearing down your strands. Dry your hair with an old cotton t-shirt instead of the regular heavy cotton. You might also try Snappees. These hair ties are soft, and they don’t damage your strands.