How to Get Rid of Frizzy Hair in Humid Weather?

Warm air and frizzy hair are not a match made in heaven, but unfortunately they tend to go hand-in-hand. A balmy, tropical getaway does wonders for the body and soul, yet for most of us, it also does all sorts of wild things to our hair.

If you’re prone to the dreaded frizz, you’ve likely tried all sorts of makeshift remedies to get rid of it. Ever found yourself brushing your hair like crazy to force those strands down? Have you resorted to keeping your hair permanently wet to avoid the issue altogether?

We’ve all been there.

If your frizz has you frazzled, this one’s for you. We unpack what causes the frizz, and explain how to get rid of frizzy hair in humid weather. We also share our top styling tips to keep your hair smooth for good. 

What is Frizzy Hair?

Frizzy hair occurs when your hair fibres are splaying off in different directions.

This happens because the cuticle layer of the hair has become damaged. The cuticle layer is the outermost layer of the hair strand that protects the innermost layers. The hair cuticle is made up of tiny shingles that protect the hair strand from the elements. When examined under a microscope, a healthy cuticle layer lays down smooth, kind of like scales on a fish.

A damaged hair cuticle, on the other hand, looks more like a pine cone — the shingles are raised. This is why your hair feels rough and dry when it’s frizzy.

When the cuticle layer is raised, more moisture passes through to the inner layer of the hair. This causes the hair strands to swell, which creates that wild, frizzy look. 

When the cuticle layer is properly sealed, it can retain moisture within the hair shaft for longer, meaning your hair won’t frizz out.

And for our thick-haired friends, you’re not imagining it — thick hair can be particularly frizz-prone. 

What Causes Frizzy Hair?

There are a few main things that determine a person’s frizz factor. Let’s take a look at them below.

Humidity – Ah yes, that sweet balmy air is one of the culprits sending our hair into meltdown. Remember, when the hair cuticle is damaged, it becomes raised and more moisture passes through. This problem is exacerbated by environments where there’s a lot of moisture in the air. Humid environments cause frizzy hair because the hair strands soak up all that moisture in the air, and the hair swells. 

The diameter of the hair fibre – Frizz is essentially a misaligned hair fibre; the outer layer and inner layer are not lining up properly. The thicker the hair fibre, the more difficult it is to realign the fibres together.  

Curls – Hair dryness causes the hair to absorb more moisture, which causes frizz. Curly and wavy hair is more prone to dryness, meaning it’s also more prone to frizz. So, curly hair = dryness, dryness = moisture, and moisture = frizz. 

Damaged hair – Split ends, cuticle loss, and breakage lead to frizzy hair because the hair fibres become misaligned, brittle, and broken. Hair is often damaged due to over-styling with high-heat products. 

Hair products – Certain hair products, such as chemicals, dyes, and bleaches, strip the hair of natural oils. These oils work to keep your hair smooth, so without them, your hair will frizz. 

Hot water – Washing your hair with hot water essentially has the same effect on humidity. It also puts stress on the hair and scalp, which can cause breakage. This leads to frizziness. 

How to Get Rid of Frizzy Hair 

Fortunately for you and your mane, there’s a whole host of ways to keep the frizz at bay.

Be prepared for the trial-and-error process; every head of hair is different, so give yourself some time to find what works for you.

Below are our top tips for how to get rid of frizzy hair.  

Choose Your Products Carefully

Not all hair products are made equal.

Some shampoos can be excessively drying and can cause the hair cuticles to become damaged. A moisture-based shampoo and conditioner are ideal to lock in all that goodness and keep those cuticles sealed.

Our Prebiotic Conditioning Treatment is designed to do exactly that. It cleanses and moisturizes your scalp, restores your scalp biome, and leaves your hair soft and hydrated.

Apply it after shampoo or apply it to dry hair weekly as a treatment. The magic ingredient in our Conditioning Treatment is hydrolyzed whey protein — this little beauty eliminates frizz and detangles the hair while strengthening your strands. This means your hair becomes shinier, healthier, and easier to style. 

Wash Less, Wash Cold

We know a scolding hot shower feels amazing, but if you listen closely, you’ll hear your strands crying.

As we mentioned, hot water causes the hair to absorb more moisture and puts stress on the scalp. Both of these factors lead to breakage and frizz.

Use lukewarm water or, if you’re really committed to the cause, cold water to wash your hair. Showering at a lower temperature prevents overdrying and therefore reduces frizz.

If you’re not into the icy shower idea, even a quick cold rinse at the end of your shower can actually help to seal your hair cuticles. Once you’ve washed your hair, turn down the temp and round out your shower with a cold rinse.

Alternatively, pop your hair up in a shower cap to protect it from the hot water altogether. 

It’s also important to ensure you’re only washing your hair two to three times a week.  Washing your hair every day can deplete the moisture in the hair and raise the hair cuticles, which means frizz is on the way. So, while it may seem like a daily wash is helping to smooth out your hair, it’s actually counterproductive.

How to Get Rid of Frizzy Hair After a Shower 

Your haircare routine post-shower is key to keeping the frizz away.

Once you’ve hopped out of the shower, avoid using a terry cloth towel to dry your hair. Terry cloth towels tend to add friction to the hair, which can cause drying and breakage.

Instead, opt for a microfiber towel or let your hair air dry. 

How to Get Rid of Frizzy Hair in Humid Weather

If you find yourself in a particularly humid climate, we recommend following the above steps and adding some hydrating products and frizz protectants to your routine.

Hydrating serums and conditioning masks will help to rehydrate the hair and restore the hair’s cuticle layer. Serums are particularly effective in restoring natural moisture to the scalp, meaning your hair won’t dry out and frizz.

The Straand Prebiotic Scalp Serum contains no nasties — only the good stuff. The formula includes lactic acid, which works to restore the pH balance on your scalp and improve hair hydration. It also contains Vitamin B5, which strengthens the hair against breakages (which we know is important to eliminate frizz).

Of course, our serum also includes the wondrous hydrolyzed whey protein we mentioned earlier that specifically targets frizz and tangles. 

How to Style Frizzy Hair 

When it comes to styling frizz-prone hair, there are two things to avoid: bristle brushes and hot blow dryers.

Bristle brushes can tousle the hair’s cuticles and make frizzy hair go wild and poofy. the hair cuticles. Swap yours out for a wide-tooth comb instead. A wide-tooth comb will effectively detangle your strands without fluffing them up.

This one will come as no surprise, but we also recommend avoiding hot blow dryers when styling frizz-prone hair. Hot hair can quickly dry out the hair, and excess heat can damage the hair cuticle.

Opt for an ionic hair dryer instead. Ionic hair dryers use magnets to draw water from the hair and seal the cuticle down securely. Ionic dryers also allow you to turn the high-heat function off, which we love!

If you have curls, be sure to style your hair when it’s wet. Applying hair products to slightly dry hair means the product won’t evenly saturate, and your curls will become frizzy.

Instead, apply your product to very wet hair. Once you jump out of the shower, apply some curl cream with your fingers and scrunch the hair upwards. This will enhance your curl definition and provide hydration to the hair.

To tame frizz and flyaways, spritz some hairspray onto your comb and brush it through your hair. This will help to set it in place and keep your frizz under control. 

How to Deal With Men’s Frizzy Hair 

For guys looking to tame that mane, the tips above still apply, but there are some extra things you can do to avoid the frizz.

We know some of you may not be big on conditioning, but if you have especially dry or frizzy hair, a weekly deep condition is the best thing you can do to keep the frizz at bay. If that’s not feasible, we recommend using a leave-in conditioner every day to smooth out the hair cuticles and create an anti-frizz barrier.

Additionally, pay close attention to your styling products. Go for an alcohol-free styling gel, as alcohol tends to dry out the hair. To manage flyaways, use a hydrating touch-up creme.

If you’ve got short hair, give it a quick comb post-shower then let it dry naturally. Avoid ruffling it up with a towel — this can cause breakage and dryness. Simply dab your hair a few times to stop your hair from dripping, then let it air dry. 

Tame the Mane

Frizzy hair can be a source of real frustration, but with the right hair care routine, you can keep your strands under control.

To avoid the dreaded frizz, rinse under cold water, use a hydrating conditioner, and limit hair washing to two to three times a week.

After you shower, avoid applying heat to the hair and let your hair air dry instead, or use a microfiber towel.

When it comes to how to get rid of frizzing hair in humid weather, remember to add a hydrating serum to your routine.

Discover our range of frizz-taming serums and conditioners.