7 Ways to Prevent Frizz If You Have Relaxed Hair

The choice to relax your hair usually comes with one ultimate outcome in mind: smooth, straight strands. So it can be pretty annoying when frizz joins the chat. Whether amplified by humidity or an all-weather mainstay, the unwelcome fuzz and flyaways can really tamper with a perfect hair day. But don't worry. There are more than a few solutions to help you fight the frizzy look and we've got them all covered.

Read on to learn how to prevent frizz from interrupting your relaxed look.

Tie Hair Back

Frequent exercisers may suffer from fuzziness if they work out with loose hair. If this is your problem, tie your hair back and secure the length so the strands don't swell from sweat and heat. A loose braid is just one option for anyone with a lengthy mane. Short-haired people can secure a satin scarf around their hairline, leaving the rest of the scarf to drape over their head, and then knot the scarf at the nape of their neck.

Lay Off the Flat Iron

Frequent flat ironing is something that also contributes to the frizz problem. Too much heat dries out your hair, and this dryness can result in frizz. Instead of trying to fight frizz with heat, focus on protective yet effective setting and styling solutions (more on that below).

Wet-Set Hair

Wet-setting damp hair using a setting product with medium to firm hold is one of the best ways to create a sleek style. And it will hold up to just about any weather. Use the largest rollers you can to create a straight hairstyle with lots of body. Either way, whether you wet-set or thermal style your freshly washed and dried hair, you could find a day or two of wearing a ponytail or bun helps to "set" the straightness even more.

Smooth With Serum

Smooth a few drops of a gloss or serum into your coif for an extra smooth finish. Melt the product into your palms and rub together before applying all over the top of your style. Anti-humidity serums like the Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel ($26) add shine as well as fight frizz-causing humidity. Keep in mind that light moisturizers are better than their heavier, sometimes greasy, counterparts.

Tips

Only apply oily moisturizers to the ends of the hair to avoid weighing down roots, eliminating volume, or looking too greasy.

Hydrate With a Deep Conditioner

Ask yourself: Am I deep conditioning often enough? Frequent conditioning is key for relaxed hair so it's possible that the fuzziness is due to a lack of moisture in the hair. Plus, don't forget about protein. Hair that needs strengthening from protein tends to frizz because the hair cuticles don't lie flat, but have lifted scales due to chemical and/or heat abuse.

Fight the Urge to Over-Process

Frizz gets a bad rep for being stubborn and unruly. But the truth is, frizz is often caused by damage. (It's just misunderstood.) Just like trying to tame the frizz with heat stylers, it can be tempting to try and eradicate it with another relaxer treatment. In similar cases, people make the mistake of applying relaxers all over the head—instead of only the new growth—when it's time for a touch-up. Both result in over-processed, and thus more damaged, hair which in turn only creates more frizz.

Protect Hair When You Sleep

A smooth wrap around your head prior to going to bed is another great way to keep the sleekness in place. Just tie a silk or satin scarf around your head and secure it. This can protect the hair from frizzing even more than just sleeping on a satiny pillowcase would.

Up Next: 8 Ways to Straighten Your Hair Without Heat

Read the original article on Byrdie.