Lately, we've had a lot of clients asking us about “frizz.”
We want to start off by saying there is absolutely nothing wrong or bad about having frizz. We also want to acknowledge that we live in a society that has historically euphemised “smooth” or “frizz-free” to indicate and idealize straight hair, a practice that is both untrue and harmful. There are many different patterns and textures of hair, and they are all worthy, valid, and beautiful. We also cannot overstate that frizz in your hair does not universally indicate damaged hair. The environment, good ol’ genetics, and just needing a bit of hydration can all play a role in how your hair sits on any given day.
That being said, we’ve heard your questions, so we wanted to take a minute to answer them and chat more about the topic.
What is frizz?
Frizz is a completely normal and natural occurrence that can happen to anyone and any hair type. Molly describes it as “a change in hair's usual texture” primarily due to lack of moisture, adding that, “it might mean something different for everyone's hair type.”
In essence, “frizz” is a term used to describe several types of variations in the way different areas of our hair sit or align with the rest, variations that can be bothersome to the person experiencing them. According to Molly, some people may experience frizz as a little extra fluff or fuzz, while others might have an unusual change in feel or appearance. “Depending on the hair type, it can mean change in texture, sheen, or curl pattern.”
Some common client complaints that are described as frizz are:
-flyaways or fuzziness around the crown
-the surface layer of hair deviating or sticking out from the rest
-lack of definition or misalignment of waves/curls
-difference in texture between the root and the ends of hair
-a generally swelling or “poofing,” throughout the hair, resulting in volume that is hard to style or manage
What causes frizz?
Frizz occurs when the outer cuticle layer of our hair is raised, rather than lying flat, allowing excess moisture to gather in the hair shaft, causing it to swell.
Follow-up question: “What causes that?”
Reegan tells us that common causes are:
-Dehydration/a lack of moisture in the hair
-Our hair having a reaction to the environment/weather (i.e. humidity)
-Damage from overprocessing with hair color, hot tools, or split ends/needing length taken off
-Using the wrong products or fabrics on our hair
-Hair growth (since hair is constantly growing, hairs in various stages of the process might stick out more than others)
What can help?
If you are feeling bothered by areas of your hair sitting in a way that contrasts with the majority, Karina says there are many tips for helping, and the answer is usually a combination of those tips.
Some of the simplest ones she recommends are avoiding going to bed with wet hair, which can be damaging since hair is more fragile when it’s wet, and sleeping with a silk or satin pillowcase, which will cause less friction while you sleep.
Dayla echoes this advice, emphasizing that sleeping with a silk or satin pillowcase is beneficial for all hair types, not just folks with curly hair. For hair that has been feeling dry in addition to seeing an increase in flyaways or a decrease in definition, they often recommend KEVIN.MURPHY HYDRATE-ME.MASQUE followed by a conditioner to seal that hair cuticle back down. And for those feeling the dryness in their scalp, too, booking a Ginger & Maude Hair Salon Scalp Treatment can be incredibly beneficial.
Macie agrees that hair that feels dry or unmanageable, especially in the winter, often needs hydration, which can be helped with a two-step process: First, thoroughly clean your hair by either double cleansing or using KEVIN.MURPHY MAXI.WASH to prepare it to receive moisture. Then, use a hydrating masque. If you’re unsure which KEVIN.MURPHY masque is best for your hair type, talk to your stylist!
Reegan also suggests trying out different products to help lock in hydration and encourage the hair to lay in the desired direction. (We love SMOOTH.AGAIN TREATMENT, KILLER.TWIRLS, and LEAVE-IN.REPAIR.) Some hair can be fabric-sensitive, and in this case, she recommends switching from a terry cloth towel to a microfiber towel or cotton t-shirt, which reduces friction and static in the hair. Ultimately, she says, “It’s important to remember when trying to resolve frizz to be kind to your hair and yourself. It's not bad to have frizz; it’s very common. Hair changes constantly and is a material that is affected by so many elements. Playing around to find the right solutions is good and we are always here to make suggestions.”
You can schedule your next haircut or hair treatment at your preferred Ginger & Maude Hair Salon by calling/texting 971.267.4080 for the Portland locations and 971.474.9531 for the Ginger & Maude Hair Salon in Tigard or through the link below.