by Marlin Bressi

Created on: March 31, 2009   Last Updated: December 30, 2010

In order to effectively combat frizz, one must understand what causes hair to become frizzy. When the hair's natural moisture balance is low, the hair expands in order to "suck" the water molecules from the air. This is why hair becomes frizzy in humid weather, when there is more moisture in the air. In other words, hair is frizzy because it is "thirsty".

When straightening frizzy hair it is important to avoid using styling tools that can damage the hair. Most better-quality flat irons use ceramic or tourmaline heating plates which produce an ionic type of heat which allows hair to be styled while preserving the moisture content of the hair. Many blowdryers also utilize ionic technology. If you have frizzy hair, look for blowdryers and irons that utilize this kind of ionic technology; otherwise your hair will be vulnerable to heat damage.

The first step to straightening frizzy hair is to blowdry the hair in order to remove excess curl. The straighter you can get the hair using a blowdryer, the less time you will have to spend with a flat iron. Apply a small amount of straightening balm or an anti-frizz cream to damp hair and use a brush in order to dry the hair as straight as possible. If the hair is thick and curly, a heavier styling product (such as a balm or serum) is best, while hair that is finer in texture needs a lighter product like a cream.

After the hair is dry, mist the hair with a heat protection spray. This will minimize damage and prevent excessive loss of moisture, resulting in shinier and healthier hair. Begin straightening the hair in the nape, using small sections. When working with frizzy hair, it is a good idea to mist the ends of the hair with a shine spray. Avoid using styling products that are high in alcohol, since alcohol can dry out the hair. Frizzy hair is already dehydrated, so using products high in alcohol will only make the hair worse.

Continue straightening the hair with the flat iron until all of the hair has been ironed smooth. Working in small sections will allow you to straighten the hair with one pass of the iron. If your sections are too thick, you may have to make multiple passes with the flat iron, which will cause unnecessary damage to the hair.

After the hair has been straightened with the flat iron, it is a good idea to work a small amount of wax or pomade through the hair. Wax-based styling products are great at combating humidity, since wax repels water and moisture. This finishing touch will keep your hair straight all day long while preventing the frizz from coming back.

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