Hate it or love it, frizz is a fact of life for those of us with curly and kinky hair types.
Embracing frizz is one thing, but promoting it is another thing entirely.
Try as we might, it is next to impossible to completely eliminate frizz all day, every day. Nevertheless, there are things that can be done to keep it at a minimum. Your best bet in combatting frizz is to understand what causes it and controlling these factors as simply using products alone won’t do. As with every problem, you always want to get to the root cause.
Frizz occurs when hair is dry and lacks moisture.
The first rule of keeping hair hydrated is to keep your body hydrated from within. Once that happens, you need to maintain it by applying moisturizers and deep conditioning regularly. Protecting your curls by sleeping on satin or wearing a bonnet is also important for combatting frizz. Satin reduces friction on the strands which keeps the cuticles from rubbing on each other so that they remain closed and frizz is minimized.
Note also that chemical processes such as coloring the hair may result in frizz
Note also that chemical processes such as coloring the hair may result in frizz, as the cuticle layer of the hair has to be opened in order for the color to be deposited within the hair shaft. Unless the cuticle is returned to a closed position by the use of products that restores the hair’s pH balance, dryness and frizz will occur. Any process that alters the compromises the hair’s protein structure, such as the addition of heat, may also result in fizz.
Certain ingredients can tame frizz due to their ability to:
- restore the hair’s pH and close the cuticles
- add weight to the hair and so keep the cuticle layer flat
- smooth the cuticle layer down, creating a frizz-free surface on the hair strand.
Below are some natural ingredients to look for in your natural hair products.
Honey
Honey has many amazing benefits for the hair. Its smooth, thick consistency coats the hair to smooth the cuticles of the hair and keep them closed. Honey is also an emollient (softens hair”> and a humectant (pulls moisture into hair”> which makes it a powerful tool in keeping hair hydrated and moisturized and making hair manageable.
Honey also imparts shine to the hair. Look for honey in your products or click here for a DIY frizz buster you can try at home and here for more honey hair treatments.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera has the ability to seal the cuticle by restoring the pH of the hair. Once your cuticles are closed, frizz is history and shine is amplified. Aloe vera also has humectant properties, is great for the scalp and makes detangling the hair a lot easier. Here are 6 ways to use aloe vera in your hair regimen.
Argan oil
Argan oil is a great frizz fighter and does so without weighing down the hair. Click here to find out more about argan oil.
Herbs
Marshmallow root, slippery elm, and flaxseed are herbs that form gelatinous substances when infused or boiled in water. The gel formed from these herbs provide amazing slip, smooths and coats the strands of hair taming frizz and keeping cuticles closed. These herbs also make detangling easier.
If you live in humid climates, you can find frizz taming tips just for you by clicking here. Share with us your proven frizz fighting methods.
