"Harsh products can strip the hair of natural oils and make the cuticle open and flare, causing it to be more prone to frizz," Papanikolas says. A few common products that may dry out your strands include shampoos with sulfates, hair spray, dry shampoo, and some purple shampoos.
Regular shampoo dries out your hair and the friction that comes from washing your hair can contribute to frizz as well. Try using a dry shampoo in between washes to help eliminate oil near your scalp.
There are four primary factors that cause frizz: the environment, diameter of the hair fiber itself, level of curl, and the amount of damage. Avoid long and hot showers, excess exfoliation, and hot tools like traditional hairdryers and flat irons to prevent frizz.
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.
shampooing too often. using a shampoo with harsh ingredients, such as sulfates, that are drying for your type of hair. not using a conditioner often enough or one that's designed for your type of hair. not including a moisturizing hair mask in your hair care routine.
If you introduce sulfate shampoo into the curly-picture, you may be making the situation worse, since sulfate lifts the hair cuticle, making it more likely to frizz. In this scenario, a shampoo without sulfate is best since it won't strip hair of as much moisture as a regular shampoo would.
Sulfate free shampoo will get you feeling clean, but not stripped of moisture. The results? A healthier scalp with balanced oil production. Dry scalp types will find that their scalp is more moisturized (not oily), and oilier scalp types will find that their excessive oil production will be reduced over time.
For those of you trying to retain your natural wave or curl, sulphate-free is a MUST. Deeply nourished hair is also less likely to frizz.
No More Frizz: Completely frizz free hair might seem an impossible feat however, sulphate free shampoos can help to reduce and even prevent chances of hair becoming frizzy.
The hair will feel mushy, limp and excessively soft. Your curls will struggle to hold their shape, they will have little definition and tend to fall flatter than normal. You will have more frizz than normal, a fluffy, soft type of frizzy hair. Your hair will feel weighed down, as if you applied too much product.
Typically dry hair appears flat and dull, think no shine. Dry hair is also usually more difficult to manage and when you touch it, it has a noticeably brittle texture i.e. knots and tangles, etc. If your hair isn't maintaining a blow-dry this can also be a sign that your hair is lacking hydration levels.
Tangling, knotting, frizz, dullness, breakage: these are all signs of very dehydrated hair. The good news? There are easy ways to treat and prevent not just the annoying symptoms of dryness, but the dry, dehydrated hair itself.
Vitamin deficiencies: Each cellular process in your body requires specific raw materials and vitamins to function. If your scalp and hair follicles can't draw from crucial hair-building micronutrients, you could wind up with weak and frizzy hair.
Overprocessed hair will look different depending on your hair's natural texture. Typically, overprocessed hair looks and feels dry to the touch. It will lay in several directions and be prone to cowlicks and flyaways. Overprocessed hair may also take on a different texture, or not have the same texture throughout.
Take an inch-wide section of hair between two fingers and gently pull them down the hair, right to the ends. Concentrate on the texture: does it feel smooth all the way down? If you feel an uneven surface, with kinks and sections that snap off under tension, these are damaged hair warning signs.
Take a strand of your hair and try stretching it. If it stretches quite far, feels a tad mushy and then snaps, it is indicative of the hair being over-moisturised. You may need more protein to reinforce your hair cuticle. If it feels dry and brittle and snaps almost immediately, it is indicative of a protein overload.
Take an inch of your hair and stretch it, if it doesn't stretch or breaks, feels dry and rough, it is brittle/damaged and needs moisture treatment. If the hair stretches far and does not return and/or breaks, feels mushy, gummy or cotton candy-like, your hair needs protein.
Your hair may look and feel dry, brittle, dull, and stiff. If you take a closer look at your hair, protein overload may also cause split ends and breakage. It may also shed more. If you're noticing more strands on your comb or brush than usual, that could be a telltale sign of high protein hair.
The AAD also says you should avoid sulfates if you have eczema, contact dermatitis, or sensitive skin. Any potential lathering effects from sulfate shampoos could irritate these types of skin conditions. An allergic reaction is also possible if you're sensitive to sulfates.
Sulfates may strip away too much moisture, leaving the hair dry and unhealthy. They may also make the scalp dry and prone to irritation. Aside from the possible drying effects, there is little risk to a person's health from using sulfates correctly.