9 ways to stop dry and frizzy hair

The sun's out, your outfit's on point and your hair's looking... triangular. Hot weather and humidity can play a big part in frizzy hair – but why? When hair is damaged or dry, its protective outer layer (the cuticle) begins to lift, allowing moisture to pass through and swell up hair strands.¹

You've heard it all before, but styling and colouring really can damage your hair without proper care. The more damaged your hair is, the more likely you are to notice extra frizz. This is because damage to the hair can strip away the cuticle, making hair porous and letting in moisture. Damage from hair dye, bleach or heated hair tools can also cause split ends and uneven breakage, creating flyaways that increase the appearance of frizz.

Any hair type can be frizzy, but some are more susceptible to frizz than others. Curly and wavy hair tends to be more porous than straighter hair and needs more hydration to saturate it (important for a well-defined curl).² These hair types might also need more moisture – think hydrating masks and oils – to keep frizz at bay. If you have a coily or Black hair type, it can help to apply these products while wet and leave them in your hair, so consider products like leave-in conditioners, hair oils, mousse or leave-in curl creams.

Straight hair can also be frizzy, especially if it's damaged or naturally coarse. Coarse hair is more prone to dryness, since it's harder for the scalp's natural oils to travel down the hair shaft. Tailoring your haircare to your hair type can help keep it hydrated and sleek, no matter if it's curly, straight, wavy or somewhere in between.

You might notice frizz during stages like pregnancy or menopause as your hormones shift. For example, declining oestrogen during menopause reduces the scalp's natural oil production.³ Sometimes this change in your hair is temporary and other times it lasts longer.

Giving dry and dead ends the snip is one of the best ways to tackle frizz. This is because split ends can travel up the hair follicle and cause even more damage. If you live somewhere with high humidity, consider a haircut with blunt ends to help keep hair weighed down.

Some shampoos contain ingredients that can dry out the hair over time, potentially leading to frizz. Choose shampoos with hydrating ingredients like glycerin and argan oil.^4,5

Conditioning your hair is important for keeping it smooth – using a good conditioner helps your hair retain its natural moisture and protection after shampoos strip it (even the gentlest ones may strip away at least some moisture, unfortunately). Consider a hair oil for added nourishment too. Some people find the ‘squish to condish’ method useful, where you scrunch your hair as you rinse out your conditioner to create defined curl clumps instead of frizz.

Microfibre towels are thought to be gentler on hair than a traditional bath towel. They're densely woven with fine fibres, helping reduce the friction that contributes to frizz while towel drying.

Brushing your hair during this time can cause it to fray and ultimately frizz. Use your fingers to gently manoeuvre the hair while your dry it instead. If you must brush, use a wide-toothed comb as they're less likely to cause disruption to your natural hair follicle shape.

Reducing the amount of direct heat and forceful air on your hair limits it from moving, which helps create less friction and frizz. This is especially great for those with naturally wavy or curly hair to allow your hair to dry looking bouncy, rather than frizzy.

Doing this can make a heap of difference to your hair as it helps the strands dry without disruption. Keep the dryer at least six inches away from your head and move it around to avoid overheating certain sections.

Been ignoring the 'cool' switch on your hairdryer? Consider a lower setting for less heat-related damage and always use a heat protection spray before drying.

Swapping your cotton pillowcase for silk or wearing a silk bonnet allows your hair to beautifully flow over the fabric while you sleep, rather than get snagged by it. It feels pretty luxurious too...