Rule #1 in fighting the frizz - you can tame it, but you can't cure it.
Your hair is a lot stronger than you may think, but most hair is not strong enough to keep frizz at bay without some extra care and attention. This is particularly true in extremely dry or humid climates.
Frizzy hair is essentially the result of damage to both the cuticle (outer layer) and cortex (inner layer of the hair). The extent and frequency of frizz is largely genetic, although there are many factors that cause frizz, including humidity, extreme cold or dryness, wind, sun, perms, hair dyes/coloring, over-brushing and over-processing.
Here's what you can do about it:
Use pH-balanced, professional hair-care products that restore moisture content to the hair and protein-based conditioners that will flatten and help fill, coat and repair cuticle cells.
Use anti-frizz serums that contain silicone (dimethicone and cyclomethicone) to help fight frizz. At the same time, avoid gels, mousses and hairsprays with high alcohol content.
Ceramic flat irons will help control frizz temporarily. Humidity, wind and washing will bring you back to square one.
Use a deep conditioner (also called a masque) once a week to help smooth and soften frizzy hair. Pomades and hair creams can also be used to combat frizz.
Dr. Samuels Biography
About Dr. Samuels:
Dr. Lawrence Samuels, a board-certified dermatologist, is Chief of Dermatology at St. Luke's Hospital and an Instructor of Medicine at Washington University Medical School in St. Louis, Missouri.
