What It Really Means When Your Hair Gets Frizzy

If your hair gets frizzy from time to time, you might be wondering why that is. Some people have naturally frizzy hair, but others notice their normally smooth hair frizz up only in certain conditions.That's because frizzy hair is predominantly caused by dryness. "When examined under a microscope, a healthy cuticle lays down smooth, like the scales of a fish," Steve Waldman, the director of technical training at Hair Cuttery Family of Brands, told Healthline. "As hair becomes dry and damaged, its appearance resembles a pine cone: open, rough, and prickly."

There are a number of different factors than can dry out your hair and make it look frizzy. For one, humidity can contribute to frizzy hair. Humid environments have a high level of water vapor in the air. When it's hot and humid outside, your hair can dry out and start to soak up the moisture in the air, causing it to swell and become frizzy. Using hot water and styling tools with high heat can also make your hair dry and frizzy.

Fortunately, your hair doesn't have to stay frizzy if you don't want it to. There are plenty of hair products and styling techniques you can use to help hydrate and smooth out your hair, preventing damage and keeping it healthy. According to experts at Well+Good, the worst thing you can do to your hair is dehydrate it by using harsh products. That's why it's important to boost hydration by using products like leave-in conditioner.

Applying a leave-in conditioner spray to the ends of your hair can help moisturize it. You can also achieve the same result by using regular conditioner without rinsing all of it out. "Conditioner helps to coat and detangle the hair and seal the hair's cuticle, preventing moisture from being absorbed and puffing up strands," hairstylist and salon owner Nunzio Saviano told Well+Good. Combing the conditioner through with a wide-toothed comb in the shower can help smooth and detangle your hair, preventing it from getting frizzy when it dries. Furthermore, using hair masks and moisture-rich shampoos can help nourish and restore moisture to your hair, especially ones that contain natural humectants.