If you’re tried straightening your own hair at home, you’ve probably noticed that you’re hair looked poofy & frizzy after you tried straightening it.
To understand why this happens, I connected with Dr Tanya Kormeili, MD, FAAD, a Board Certified Dermatologist in Santa Monica and asked her for advice.
Dr Kormeili explained that all hair straightening techniques provide heat that can damage the hair shaft, rendering it dry, and “poofy” in appearance! Our hair shaft can be divided anatomically into 2 layers: the inner core and the outer coating.
To protect the hair shaft you can use products that provide “heat coating” to the area. You can also use less heat and immediately provide a coating of products that provide hydration to the shaft after heat is used to straighten it!
Here’s How to Make Hair Less Poofy and Frizzy After Straightening
Try Argan Oil
Adina Mahalli, a hair and skincare expert from Maple Holistics, explains that Argan oil works to hydrate and infuse the hair with moisture and antioxidants. This not only reduces frizz but fortifies your hair strands to lessen the damage of the straightening process.
How to Use Argan Oil to Reduce Frizz After Straightening:
Step 1 – Apply a little oil to the palm of your hand
Step 2 – Rub your hands together
Step 3 – Run your fingers through your hair.
Step 4 – Focus on the tips and lightly stroke the roots and scalp to ensure even coverage without leaving
your hair looking greasy.
Try Moringa Oil
According to Adrina, Moringa oil can go a long way in smoothing your hair down and giving your
locks an intense hydration boost. Moringa oil helps to reduce poof and frizz by delivering moisture to the scalp instead to just the exterior of dry or damaged hair. By hydrating the scalp, Moringa oil can heal your hair from the inside out.
How to Use Moringa oil to Reduce Frizz After Straightening:
Step 1 – Apply a little oil to the palm of your hand
Step 2 – Rub your hands together
Step 3 – Run your fingers through your hair, focus in the scalp area and work your way down to the ends
Try a Moisturizing Shampoo or Conditioner
You might want to switch up your shampoo or conditioner for something that is more moisturizing and natural. Moisturizing shampoos and conditioners can help to reduce the damage that straightening has on hair strands and reduce frizz and poof over time.
Here’s are the ingredients to look out for in your natural moisturizing shampoo or conditioner:
*Note that this is not a complete list
Argan Oil – helps to moisturize your hair and scalp to prevent breakage and split ends.
Apple Cider Vinegar – helps to strengthen hair and improve luster by lowering the pH of the hair and scalp. It also helps to reduce scalp infections and itchiness.
Manuka Honey – this is a natural humectant that attracts and retains moisture into your hair. It may also help reduce dry and flakey scalp.
Mafura Oil – helps to encourage hair growth, hydrate your hair and scalp and reduce split ends.
Coconut Oil – rich in vitamin E and fatty acids, coconut oil is a great moisturizer for your hair.
Shea Butter – helps to smooth dry and itchy scalp. It also provides moisture to dry or damaged hair.
Lavender Oil – helps to promote hair growth. Lavender oil also have antimicrobial and antibacterial properties which can improve scalp health. This ingredient is usually found mixed with other ingredients on this list to create a healthy and moisturizing shampoo for your hair and scalp.
How to Make Hair Less Poofy Before Straightening
It’s actually better to review your straightening techniques to make sure you are following the right steps. Doing it properly helps to reduce frizz from the start.
In order to provide you the best techniques for straightening your hair, I connected with Jennifer Cook, a licensed Cosmetologist since 2005 and owner of her Salon, Hair Bar, located in Louisville, KY.
According to Jennifer, here’s how you should straighten your hair to reduce frizz and poof:
Step 1 – Start with good products! Use a straightening cream and defrizz serum before you blow dry.
Step 2 – Make sure your hair is completely dry before you put any heat tools on it. Using a flat iron on partially dry hair causes damage and frizz.
Step 3 – Take small sections when you flat iron. Too big of a section will not get enough heat distribution to all of the hair, which will not properly straighten it.
Step 4 – After you pass the flat iron over a section, do not touch! Let the hair completely cool once it’s straight before you comb it or touch with your hands.
Step 5 – Once all of your hair is straight and cool, spray with a gloss or use an oil to protect from humidity.
Use Ceramic Irons
Adina also explains that the type of straightening irons that you use can also affect your hair and leave it prone to frizz and poof.
Ceramic irons are one of the best types of flat irons for reducing frizz and poofiness.
Ceramic irons reduce the amount of direct heat on the hair and therefore work to leave your strands with a high shine instead of frizz. You also want to be careful not to put the heat setting too high as it damages the hair follicle resulting in more poof.
If you are new to this, there is a high chance that using a ceramic iron to remove poof and frizz from your hair may cause damage to your hair. It takes practice to adjust for timing and get used to your ceramic iron.
If you are find that you hair is damaged from the heat, check out this guide on how to repair heat damaged hair at wigreports.com. In this report, me and 39 other beauty experts share our best tips to help you take care of your heat damaged hair.
