As we travel through our ever-changing hair journeys, it’s hard to keep up with the unpredictability that comes with our hair’s life cycle.
As we experiment with colour, style, and testing products to achieve our hair desires, we often experience an unintentional change in the general condition of our hair. Two unfortunate consequences of this are frizz and the appearance of damage.
While these terms are often used interchangeably and have similar symptoms, there is a common misconception that frizzy hair means damaged hair and this is simply untrue.
Frizz occurs when hair is lacking moisture and becomes, resulting in the hair being dry as a result, whereas damage occurs due to an overuse of hair processes that disrupt the hair cuticle (the hair’s protective layer).
Whether your hair is dry or damaged, it is important to understand your specific hair type and the steps that need to be taken to improve the condition and appearance of your hair. This will promote the longevity of your healthy hair and minimise future hair concerns.
What does frizzy hair look like?
Frizzy hair is easily identifiable, and tends to affect the manageability, texture, and overall appearance of the hair.
The most common symptoms of frizz include:
- Fluffy and irregular hair texture
- Sporadic curling that doesn’t blend with your natural hair pattern
- Brittle ends
- Rough and dry to the touch
It’s safe to say that frizzy hair can not only ruin the appearance of your hair but can also ruin your overall mood! If you are seeing parallels between your current hair condition and these signs of frizz, it'stime to consider taking action to prevent the risk of frizz and potential damage over time.
What causes frizzy hair?
There are many factors that can contribute to frizzy hair:
External environment. Without a sufficient amount of moisture, your hair tries to draw hydration from the air around it. As a result, your hair becomes overdried and shifts from your regular hair pattern. Thus, while warm temperatures and sunshine bring good summer vibes, they also bring frizz.
The natural hair cycle. As we age, our hair pattern inevitably shifts too, with frizz being a common result of such change. It is important to understand that this is a normal process of life and can be managed with the right products and consistency. Look for these key buzzwordsthat promote hair hydration:
Hydrate!
- Glycerin - Retains moisture and hydrates hair.
- Panthenol - Helps strengthen hair and retains moisture, while improving the texture of dry hair. This is often the main ingredient used in hair masks.
- Honey – Honey has emollient and humectant properties. In other words, it locks in shine, restores moisture, smoothes hair follicles, and is therefore a great natural hair moisturiser!
- Oil – Oil keeps your scalp hydrated, therefore improving healthy hair growth and minimising frizz.
Harsh chemicals. Your hair relies on its natural oils, which function to keep it hair moisturised and healthy. Harsh chemicals strip these essential oils from your hair, therefore excessive use can lead to excessive frizz! Avoid products that contain sulphates, parabens, silicones and bad alcohols in order to minimise frizz and benefit your overall hair health.
Solutions for frizzy hair?
The condition of your hair is not only crucial for your hair health, but also your mental health. It can be very disheartening when managing your hair becomes a severe uphill climb, making it almost impossible to embrace your beautiful hair. However, there are many solutions you can incorporate into your haircare routine to elevate your health and wellbeing while minimising frizz and damage.
Wash your hair with cold water. Hot water is prone to stripping your hair of the natural oils that are essential to maintain its moisture and shine.
Avoid washing your hair every day. Washing your hair two to three times per week, depending on your hair, will help reduce dryness. Excessive washing is a key factor that can contribute to further damage.
Incorporate a hydrating shampoo or conditioner. Providing your hair with extra moisture is paramount in helping seal each hair strand’s cuticle, leaving it less susceptible to frizzing. The natural ingredients in our Nereus London hydrating conditioner restores moisture into your beautiful hair, reducing frizz and leaving your hair nourished and healthy.
- Use a microfibre towel or air dry. Regular towels draw moisture out of your hair and are harsh on your hair strands, promoting frizz. Wrapping your hair in a microfibre towel or allowing it to air dry helps to control frizz and reduce damage caused by improper drying.
- Get regular haircuts. Getting a haircut every six to eight weeks aids your hair’s manageability, preventing split ends from travellingup the hair strands and causing frizz.
Are you ready to make a change?
It is important to remember that frizz is not permanent if you take the proper precautions to prevent it. Our hair is a key part of our identity and must not be neglected or given up on. Thus, understanding your unique hair type, and identifying your specific hair needs will bring you one step closer to reviving your beautiful hair’s health and desired appearance.
Written byTamia Mullaney forNereus London
FAQs
When these cuticles are damaged or weakened, the core is exposed and vulnerable to snapping. When hair snaps off or breaks into split ends, the hair looks frizzy and dull. They may have similar symptoms (dullness, frizz, coarse texture) but dry and damaged hair are not the same.
Does frizzy hair mean it's unhealthy? ›
Frizz isn't all that bad, and in some cases, it can look good. It is, however, a strong indicator that the ends of your hair are unhealthy, albeit frizz can be easily fixed following a trim at the salon and getting a trim.
Is frizzy hair healthy hair? ›
According to hair scientists, frizz occurs when neighboring hairs are not in sync (laying in the same direction), resulting in a disordered appearance. This happens when hair is damaged, and there is a lack of the hydrophobic outer layer of the cuticle, known as the F-layer.
Why is my hair frizzy but not damaged? ›
It's a mixture of two things - humidity due to hot weather, and how hydrated your hair is to start with. The main cause of frizz is a lack of moisture in your hair.
What is considered damaged hair? ›
Damage is an issue, because it means the hair cuticle isn't functioning as it should and isn't offering the protection the hair shaft needs. Damaged, unhealthy hair can't retain moisture, is more difficult to manage, and appears frizzy, dry, and dull.
What is the difference between dry damaged and frizzy hair? ›
Dry hair comes from a lack of moisture in your strands. Frizzy hair, on the other hand, is the result of dryness or a number of different things like genetics, damage, environment, and routine.
Can frizzy hair heal? ›
However, you can't repair the damage. This means you can't undo split ends or mend broken hair. What you can do is reduce the appearance of the damage and follow a good haircare routine to make your hair feel healthier. Alternatively, you can cut the damaged hair off.
Does frizzy hair mean lack of moisture? ›
Frizz occurs due to a lack of moisture in the hair. This causes hair to seek moisture from the air around it, which is why humidity often makes matters worse. In addition to the weather and hair's lack of moisture, there are a number of factors that can leave your hair more vulnerable to frizz.
Does frizzy hair mean thinning? ›
Hair breakage can leave us with frizzy, unhealthy-looking hair. If we continue to damage our hair, we may eventually see thinning hair or even bald spots. The good news is that simple changes can prevent further hair damage.
What actually helps frizzy hair? ›
It's all about moisturizing: Using the right conditioner can be a game changer for fighting frizz. While classic conditioners are always beneficial, you can even implement an extra dose of moisturization after you get out of the shower as well. Apply a leave-in conditioner on damp hair before styling.
Protein treatments can help strengthen the hair shaft and restore its structural integrity. On the other hand, if your hair feels dry, frizzy, and lacks elasticity, it's likely in need of moisture. Hydration is essential to keep your strands soft, manageable, and resilient.
What illness causes frizzy hair? ›
Uncombable hair syndrome is a rare condition that typically causes dry, frizzy hair that you can't comb flat. It usually happens before age 3 but may show up as late as age 12. The condition usually goes away in childhood.
How to fix super frizzy hair? ›
Read on for the frizzy-hair tips and tricks they swear by.
- Invest in a top-of-the-line hair dryer. ...
- Style your hair when it's wet. ...
- Try a silk pillowcase. ...
- Keep your hands off. ...
- Hairspray can be your friend. ...
- In a pinch, use hand lotion. ...
- Start in the shower. ...
- Swap out your towel.
Fine or thin hair is also more prone to frizz. Because these hair types have less weight, the frizz isn't “weighed down” and can really go crazy.
Is frizzy hair the same as broken hair? ›
All hair goes through a shedding and regrowth process, so it's completely normal to have some shorter hairs around your roots as newer hairs grow in. But when you have a noticeable amount of short frizzy hairs that are a different texture to the rest of your hair, this is likely due to hair breakage.
Can damaged frizzy hair be repaired? ›
Mechanical damage is caused by rough handling of the hair (i.e., excessive brushing and tension caused by braids and other tight hairstyles). Generally, with all of these types of damage, you can improve the quality of the hair in terms of how it looks and feels. However, you can't repair the damage.
Is it OK to cut off frizz? ›
Will It Help With Frizz & Flyaways? Once hair starts splitting, the only true way to stop it is by cutting it—this applies to flyaways along the hair length. A surface cut can help with shine too. It can also lessen frizziness if the cause of the frizz is damage or stress, but not the texture.
Should I get a haircut if my hair is frizzy? ›
"Regular trims are essential because they keep your ends healthy and your curls bouncy," Dave Stanwell says. He also notes that this is a great cut if you have long, frizzy hair that's dry and damaged, because the sizable chop will instantly bring your limp ends back to life.
