You have combed your hair, you have done your work styling and you have left the house with perfect hair and, in a matter of minutes, you begin to notice those small hairs that rise around your face and even throughout your hair, spoiling the polished finish that you had achieved.
The person responsible for this is none other than frizz, one of the biggest enemies of perfectly styled hair, especially when autumn arrives. Humidity further encourages the appearance of frizz, which can be resisted even after spending time with the dryer. However, keeping your hair under control is possible if you know how to care for it from washing to drying.
Alberto Cerdán, stylist and creator of the AC Method, highlights the importance of choosing the appropriate care for the hair fiber and removing excess water in the correct way.
Humidity is the worst enemy
Hair and humidity have never gotten along well, which is why as we enter autumn we notice much more that our hair frizzes at the slightest. “When the temperature drops and the environmental humidity increases, the hair fiber, if it is porous or dry, acts like a sponge,” explains Cerdán.
This happens because the hair fiber absorbs part of the water present in the environment, which alters its structure and causes the hair to lose its shape and softness. This occurs especially when the cuticle, the outer layer that protects each fiber, is damaged, porous or not well sealed.
Although we generally associate frizz more with fine or curly hair, in reality Cerdán explains that “hair that is porous, curly, wavy or subjected to bleaching, dyeing and excessive use of thermal tools are more prone,” he points out.
Therefore, it is important to help the hair fiber retain its hydration and thus reduce the entry of water from the environment, so that the hair does not become frizzy and can keep the hairstyle polished and soft for longer. “Healthy and hydrated hair has its own weight and flexibility, which allows it to maintain its natural movement without becoming disheveled due to changes in weather,” explains the hairdresser.
Water temperature is important
But if hydration is essential to keep frizz controlled, the temperature of the water is no less important. “Controlling frizz starts in the shower,” says Cerdán. Using water that is too hot can promote dryness, since it can eliminate part of the natural lipids that protect the hair fiber.
One of the habits that Alberto recommends checking is washing your hair with water that is too hot. His advice is to “use warm water and finish with a fresh water rinse.”
The hairdresser Ramón Santiago (@ramonsantiago_peluqueros) on this topic indicates that: “I recommend washing the hair with warm water, between 30 and 40 degrees, this temperature is ideal for cleaning the hair without damaging it. At the end, rinse with cold water around 10-20 degrees can help seal the cuticle and provide more shine.”
Cerdán suggests choosing products that provide care to the hair and may have ingredients such as “hyaluronic acid, light botanical oils and structuring proteins.” As for cleaning, it is recommended to avoid aggressive sulfates.
Another care that your hair will appreciate is the application of a mask from the mid-lengths to the ends, respecting the acting time indicated on the packaging. This gesture helps keep the hair fiber hydrated and soft, promoting more manageable hair and reducing the appearance of frizz.
To dry hair towel and dryer
To remove as much moisture as possible, it is best to remove excess water by tapping with a microfiber towel, wrapping the hair. Afterwards, the ideal is to “dry it with a hairdryer, but gently,” he says.
The first step is to “apply a heat protectant or a light styling cream, set the dryer to medium heat and direct the nozzle downward, following the direction of hair growth,” says the expert.
To dry your hair, there is no need to do it section by section or work the hair with the brush. “Use your hands while you direct the air and finish with cold air. The intention is to maintain the looseness of the hair without letting the drying become a succession of passes at high temperatures,” explains Cerdán.
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