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Blog - How to Tame Frizz on Natural Hair
June 15, 2018 by Swirly Curly
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.
What Kind of Products Control Frizz on Natural Hair?
Every head of natural hair is different, and all hair reacts differently to products and methods. What works for you may not work for the next natural.
Aim to experiment with ingredients and methods. You might find that the LOC method or the LCO methods work great to keep frizz at bay. There could also be certain oils or butters that work well for your specific hair.
Some naturalistas even prefer using gels over creams, claiming that it defines their curl pattern more. Gels tend to be anti-humidity, and this can be helpful for anyone with excessive frizz.
Be sure and steer clear of chemical gels or products that cause your hair to be too hard. Hard hair is easier to break. Instead, look for botanical gels or make your own flaxseed gel at home.
Search for styling products that fight frizz when you shop for your beauty products. Not all products are created for this purpose, so it’s best to read the front label to see if you can spot the “frizz” word. It may say something like “anti-frizz” or “frizz-free” or “frizz-control”.
Always use an anti-frizz product when you’re styling your hair. If you’re sticking to leave-in conditioners only, you may be missing the essentials that will give you the frizz-free look.
Go for anti-frizz curl cream. Most curl and twisting creams focus on fighting frizz, so aim to use one of these on your wash and refresher days. You can still use other products like leave-in conditioners, but just don’t expect them to control frizz.
Also, avoid the recommended dime-sized amounts. You’ll want an ample amount to coat every strand when you have curly hair.
Techniques and Tools to Tame Frizz on Curly Hair
Here are some ways to control frizz on curly hair:
Denman brush or Tangle Teaser. It’s a good idea to gently finger-detangle your hair on the regular basis. However, if you’re focusing on eliminating frizz, the Denman Brush and the Tangle Teaser do a great job of clumping curls together to reduce frizzy hair.
Cool Water. Always rinse your hair with the cool water showerhead. It’s okay to use warm water throughout your shower, but using cool water as the final rinse will help to prevent frizz.
Satin Bonnet. A nightly satin bonnet will help to reduce friction and frizz. You can also use a silk or satin scarf. Covering your head each night will preserve your style better for the next day.
Blow Dry Diffuser. Using a diffuser contradicts the no-heat advice, but many naturals find it to be more curl-friendly than air-drying. The diffuser helps clump curls and keeps them grouped.
Style Hair When Wet. Aim to do your styles beginning with wet or damp hair. Hydration should be your most important component and your go-to for making your hair softer and more manageable. Use water-based products, plain water, or aloe vera before using any oils. Also, doing your braid-outs and twist-outs from wet hair will yield the best results.
Oiled Fingers. Are you doing a twist-out with a manipulated curl pattern? Pull apart your clumped curls with care. You’ll be able to reduce frizz if you separate the clumps very gently using oiled fingers.
Frizz is nearly impossible to eliminate when you have curly hair, but using prevention and taming techniques will help to dramatically reduce it. Plus, many methods mentioned above will lead your hair to health if you practice them regularly.
What about you? Do you have any ways to deal with frizz on natural hair?
