Why Does Hair Get Frizzy When it Is Humid Outside?
Ask women, especially those in hot and heavy climates, what their most annoying hair issue is and frizziness will be the most common answer. We all know what frizziness looks like. Formerly smooth, sleek hair morphs into something that has been hit with a few thousand volts, then deep fried. But what causes it? Why does hair get frizzy when it's humid? There are explanations and ways to ease the frizz. Does this Spark an idea?
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Effects of Humidity on Hair
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Humidity is the amount of moisture in the air. The more humid the day is, the more water there is in the air. Humidity can make fine hair fall flat by weighing it down. If your hair is curly or has a lot of body, it can cause it to become bushy. Dry hair gets even frizzier.
Why Hair Curls in Humidity
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Hair is made up of dead cells bonded together by proteins. Because it is dead, hair does not produce moisture; any moisture has to come from an outside source like scalp oil or moisturizers. As hair becomes old and dry, the hair's surface becomes rough and allows for better penetration of water into the hair. Inside the hair is the cortex, which is made up of two different kinds of protein, orthocortex and paracortex. Both proteins absorb water, but do it differently. When water causes them to swell, one expands more than the other, which causes the hair to twist, leading to the waviness that many women experience in humid conditions.
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Why Hair is Dull in Humidity
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In addition to the wavy or curly texture that happens when water in the air hits your hair, the moisture also causes your cuticle to swell and open. This makes your hair look rough and dull. Combine the dull rough texture with out of control waves or curls and you get frizzy hair.
Hair Condition and Humidity
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Since everyone's hair has different amounts of ortho- and paraprotein in their hair, its reaction to humidity can vary a great deal. Also, the overall condition of your hair and how dry it is plays a large part in how it reacts to moisture in the air. Avoid frizzy hair by keeping heat styling to a minimum, using a good conditioner regularly and by not over-brushing. While this may help, you can't change the basic structure of your cortex. That is where the use of the right styling products and a good haircut can really contribute to your hair always looking its best.
Anti-Frizz Styling Tactics
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Find a professional stylist with a solid reputation, one who takes the time to get to know your hair's individual quirks. They will help you find a style you like that works with your hair's natural tendencies instead of fighting them. Regular trims remove split ends, which contribute to the rough texture of frizzy hair. Look for styling products that add moisture and contain silicone, which helps to seal the cuticle and smooth away roughness. Be sure to use silicone based products sparingly because too much will result in flat, greasy looking hair.
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