By Ronnie Williams

The best way to control frizz or any other hair emergency would be to prevent it…However; some of us find ourselves past the prevention stage.

When speaking of frizz, the best way to prevent it is to control how much moisture the hair absorbs. Frizzy hair is often porous, absorbent hair thirsty for moisture and seeking it from the wrong place; the atmosphere. The following tips and tricks will help you keep frizz at bay and stay sexy and sleek…from summer to winters First snow fall.

1. Conditioner is Crucial

After using a non-drying, clarifying shampoo, it is very important to condition wisely. Your ideal conditioner should be light and clean. Product buildup is imminent, especially in curlier hair where natural oils add to any product left in the hair. Build-up also occurs when products are used out of sync. This is why it is very important to choose a matching shampoo/conditioner treatment.

Deep conditioning is recommended once a month, and the time length can vary from 20 minutes to overnight depending on your hair’s condition. Leave in conditioners are also an option; as long as it’s not too heavy to weight down your curly tresses.

2. Silicone Is Safe

Silicone products are a savior for curly or wavy hair. The silicone acts as a moisture barrier, coating the hair shaft and shielding it from the elements of the atmosphere. Silicone should be added when the hair is wet. This prevents hair from looking gooey or too greasy. The proper amount to be used is about dime sized. It is very important NOT to towel dry after applying silicone to the hair. Air drying is recommended, or using a diffuser on warm heat.

3. Perm = Porous

Perms break bonds in the hair structure, making it very porous and possibly dry. This is a breeding ground for frizz and dull, lifeless hair. If perming cannot be avoided or professionally done, a “spot perm” is recommended, which is a perm applied to only sections of the hair which need the process, such as the crown of the head where hair is usually flatter.

4. Smart Styling

Sometimes when natural curls need a boost, or even just a different look, a curling iron may be used. When using a curling iron it is very important to remember that curling irons apply an extreme amount of heat, which could make hair dry and porous, a frizz playground. Using heat protective sprays and holding sprays after curling provides layers of protection for the hair shaft.

5. Chop Chop

It is a good idea to keep ends trimmed to avoid split ends and breakage that could be avoided. Cutting hair every 4-6 weeks is recommended.

*Tips*

A cold water rinse after conditioning helps to refresh the scalp and keep hair frizz-free and shiny.

Leaving scarce bits of conditioner at the ends of hair can also cut down on frizz.

Brushes do damage to curl patterns. Wide tooth combs work better.

Combing hair while dry can also increase damage; finger tousling to loosen tangles is a better method.

For quicker styling, combine water and a few drops of conditioner to a spray bottle and spritz curls and waves. A few drops of your favorite scented oil can add some extra spruce.

Photo Credit: David Ho