What causes frizzy hair after washing it can be the wrong shampoo, for example, one with high sulfate content. Another common reason can be because of not applying enough conditioner. However, these are not the only reasons your hair is frizzy after washing it, and we know about nine of them, which are available in this post.
Using the wrong hair products can strip away the natural oils that help the cuticles (outer layers) lay flat, dehydrating your hair. So, before ordering any product, go through the properties to confirm if it’s okay for you.
Damage to the hair shaft is another thing that can happen if your hair is over-processed or exposed to chemicals with high alkaline content. This can also occur because of the environmental effects of humidity or wind, which is detrimental to the hair cuticles.
See also:
- 7 Things That Can Stop Natural Hair From Growing
- Should I oil my hair after shampoo?
- 10 Ways To Know If Your Hair is Damaged
Why is my hair frizzy after I wash it?
While dryness can cause frizzy hair, it’s not the whole story. When your hair is frizzy, the cuticles (outer overlapping layers of your hair) have been disrupted so that they cannot close up again.
The cuticle protects the cortex responsible for the hair’s color and elasticity. Whatever affects the cuticle exposes the cortex to danger. Hence, your hair cannot remain the same.
Factors like humidity, heat, overwashing your hair, and almost everything can disrupt your cuticle. However, using a sulfate-free shampoo with enough conditioner can lock up any gap to moisturize your hair immediately after washing it.
These hair products below are amazon promoted products, and you can quickly go through the details to know more about them. However, we have carefully selected these after confirming all their properties favor frizz-free hair. Check out and place your order.
Golden rules for frizz-free hair:
Specific rules can help you eliminate frizz after washing your hair. You can beat frizz with less friction, maximum hydration, and closing up your hair cuticles.
However, these rules are not valid if you are not:
- Using the right shampoo and conditioner
- Avoiding products with alcohol or other harsh chemicals
See also:
9 Reasons Why Your Hair Is Frizzy After Washing
Washing the hair scatters the cuticles, opens, and is probably shattered. If you do not use a free alkaline shampoo with enough conditioner after the process, your hair can become dry and frizzy. So, the effects of a disrupted cuticle are the main reason behind frizzy hair after washing it.
Whenever the cuticles are not closed up or return to their perfect shape, the hair shafts are affected by humidity, causing them to swell up and become frizzy.
Finding out why your hair is frizzy after washing it is best to find out why your cuticles are not entirely sealed after washing the hair. If you can find the ‘why’ to the latter, it means you have gotten the way out to the former.
So, what causes frizzy hair after washing it?
- Using a wrong shampoo
- Washing with hot water
- Ignoring frizz control
- Washing with hard water
- Hair with high porosity
- Not using a smooth cotton towel
- Detangling after shower
- Being too economical with your conditioner
- Styling hair in a steamy bathroom
1. Using A Wrong Shampoo
There are varieties of shampoo; some are good while others are not. However, it is not the same for everyone. So, It is your responsibility to study and know how your hair reacts when using them. Or, better stick to a free alkaline shampoo.
While it is true that most of them can neither maintain nor keep your hair fresh because of the varying levels of alkaline content, we have mentioned the type of shampoo that is good for your hair, Redken Frizz Dismiss Shampoo. You probably might have used the wrong one, which could be why your hair is frizzy.
Sulfate-free shampoo with low pH values is one of the best shampoos you need to eliminate frizz. On the other hand, using a high pH sulfate-rich shampoo can remove all the natural oil and render your hair dry and frizzy. So, avoid it to save your hair.
While ordering shampoo for your hair, it is best to go for what will keep it fresh. Maintaining that natural oil needed to lock up the cuticles and keep your hair greasy and gummy should always be your target. Redken Frizz Dismiss Shampoo is a Sulfate-free shampoo that can smoothen your hair and help you to fight frizz.
2. Washing With Hot Water
While washing your hair with warm water can help open up the cuticles, making it easy to clean dirt. On the other hand, using hot water can make it difficult for the cuticle to return to its original shape due to the expansion of hair fiber.
Hot water affects the cuticle the same way it affects the skin pores; raising the cuticle and closing it again can take some time.
Applying hot water to a creamy or oily surface can melt the cream or oils, leaving the surface to be oil free. In the same way, washing your hair with hot water can melt the natural oil that keeps it sticky and dry, and frizzy. So, it is best to avoid washing your hair with hot water.
3. Ignoring Frizz Control
Your cuticles are disrupted after washing your hair, leaving gaps and spaces. However, you can do something to close them almost immediately. Using a leave-in conditioner to lock up the natural oil is all you need to save your hair from being dried up.
Of course, you know that not applying any frizz control after washing your hair can cause it to become damp and eventually dry. So, ensure that your frizz control is available before using water on your hair.
4. Washing with hard water
While we advise against shampoo with high pH, hard water is almost the same or even worse with developing scales.
Hard water contains magnesium and calcium minerals which are highly alkaline, making it not excellent for your hair. Moreover, with hard water, calcium build-up in your hair will block any frizz control’s effectiveness.
5. Hair With High Porosity
If your hair is highly porous, it can be the leading cause of frizz. Processing highly absorbent hair over time makes it difficult for the cuticle to close perfectly.
Suppose you are wondering what could be the cause of the high porosity of your hair. Hereditary, washing your hair more often, or not using a hydrating shampoo are the common reasons.
So, run a porosity test if you have tried all the best products to restore your hair, yet it is still not working. A hair porosity test will confirm if your hair needs a particular treatment, like applying the LCO (leave-in conditioner) method.
6. Not Using A Smooth Cotton Towel
Drying your hair with a rough towel will remove moisture and peel off the cuticles by harsh scrubbing, leaving them scattered and rough.
Note: Your hair cannot withstand rough contact after washing it, not even a rough towel. So, if your towel is not smooth, replace it.
Recall that avoiding friction is one of the rules to protect your hair from frizz. So, using a rough towel against your hair will fight your efforts to defeat it.
We have recommended a microfiber towel in the next section, where we walk you through ways to stop frizzy hair after washing it. Check out and order it for your hair.
7. Detangling after shower
Your hair is like a disorganized group of soldiers when it is wet. Despite not putting much pressure on the brush, there is a tendency that the hairbrush will rip off because they are less stretchy.
If you can not wait to dry your hair, applying conditioner before detangling it is best. The conditioner will provide the needed moisture for the brush to slide effortlessly and safely.
8. Being Too Economical With Your Conditioner
With all the ingredients in a conditioner, you need to apply enough to have the desired result. Enough conditioner can close every cuticle gap and lock up the natural oils to keep your hair fresh and shiny after washing it.
While most shampoos are highly alkaline, a conditioner is a pH adjuster that can balance your hair’s pH level by complementing the natural oils’ acidic nature.
Moreover, the conditioner contains thickener, preservatives, fragrance, and active ingredients that your hair needs to remain sticky and fresh. However, managing conditioners may not be enough to expect all they can do.
9. Styling hair in a steamy bathroom
Leaving your hair open in the rain is not advisable. However, it is better than styling your hair in a steamy bathroom. You wouldn’t want to try either significantly the latter because it can be effective in opening and disrupting the cuticles.
It is a good option for cleaning up the scalp. However, the latter effect can be damaging. So, it is best to avoid it.
Now that you know why your hair is frizzy after washing it let us look at the different things you can do to have creamy-frizz-free hair any time you wash it.
7 Ways To Stop Frizzy Hair After Washing It
All these ways aim to achieve a common objective. You can defeat frizzed hair by eliminating friction, closing the cuticles, and increasing hydration.
So, here are the ways you can apply to get rid of frizzy hair after washing it:
- Go for a low pH and high acidic shampoo like a sulfate-free one
- Use a complex water filter
- Don’t wash your hair without combing
- Use enough conditioner
- Do away with hot water
- Don’t detangle your hair after a shower
- Use cold water for rinsing
1. Go for a less than 7 pH or high acidic shampoo
The cuticle’s outer layer of the hair, which overlaps other layers (cortex and medulla), is a keratinized protein protected by an acidic light skin (mantle) coverage.
The acidity of the mantle is responsible for the sustained moisture needed to maintain the flatness of the cuticle against the hair shaft. The hair is smooth and bright when the cuticles are perfectly balanced without opening or rising against each other.
On the other hand, introducing an alkaline solution to the hair will make it swell, raising the cuticles.
While the flat positioning of the cuticles protects the cortex, which is responsible for the color and the hair elasticity, raising them will weaken the cortex and damage its function.
So, acidic shampoo will provide cuticles with the needed nourishment to work effectively.
“If your shampoo is more acidic it works to smooth those shingles of the cuticle. As in, your hair will be less frizzy, softer, and way more manageable”.
Amy Halman
President and formulator of hair and skincare brand Acure – Teen Vogue
2. Use a hard water filter or water Softener
You don’t have to wait until you see the signs of hard water on your hair before using a water softener.
A Hardwater filter can remove any trace of minerals and provide good water needed to avoid frizz.
Check out this water softener on Amazon: Hardwater shower filters
3. Don’t wash your hair without combing
To avoid any situation forcing you to use a comb for detangling just after washing your hair, ensure you comb it before.
Combing your hair before washing enables you to use your hands for detangling during the shower, making it safer than a comb. When your hair is wet, it’s less oily and can be easily detached with a comb. So, always comb your hair before washing it.
Check out these wide tooth combs on Amazon: Wide-tooth combs for your hair.
4. Use enough conditioner
The conditioner, also known as a pH adjuster, restores the pH level of the hair to its normal value after using shampoo. The cuticle needs a balanced pH for it to lap and function well.
So, use enough conditioner while washing your hair and leave it for some minutes to close all the gaps and restore the original shape of the cuticle.
5. Do away with hot water
Apart from swelling your hair, hot water will rip off natural oils needed to maintain the outside layer of the hair.
The best temperature for washing hair is predicted to be 100oF or 38o. So, sticking to this temperature is in your hair’s best interest, so you won’t blame yourself for using hot water.
Warm water is okay to clean the scalp and wash off the dirt. To wash your hair, start rubbing the scalp with warm water to remove dirt and unnecessary oils. After, you can use cold or mildly warm water to rinse it.
6. Don’t detangle your hair after a shower
It is best to detangle your hair when there is conditioner. The conditioner can prevent the hairbrush from dragging and hurting your hair as a moisturizer.
So, detangle your hair while you are still in the shower to avoid friction which can cause frizzy hair.
7. Use cold water for rinsing
After washing your hair with shampoo and warm water, they might have disrupted the cuticles, so restoring them to their actual shape is what it needs. Cold water is what you need.
Rinsing your hair with cold water will balance the hair temperature needed to maintain the cuticles in their proper shape.
How To Find A Good Shampoo For Frizzy Hair
When it comes to finding a good shampoo for frizzy hair, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
First, you’ll want to find a shampoo made explicitly for frizzy hair, ensuring that your hair gets the hydration it needs to stay frizz-free.
Secondly, you’ll want to look for a shampoo that contains natural ingredients, which will help nourish and protect your hair while also keeping it looking its best.
Finally, you’ll want to find an affordable shampoo. By following these tips, you should be able to find an excellent shampoo for frizzy hair that meets all of your needs.
Benefits Of Using Good Shampoo For Frizzy Hair
If you have frizzy hair, you know how frustrating it can be to find a good shampoo to help control the frizz. There are a lot of different shampoos on the market that claim to help with frizzy hair, but not all of them live up to their claims.
However, there are a few that stands out. Here are a few benefits of using a good shampoo for frizzy hair:
- Using a good shampoo for frizzy hair can help to reduce frizz.
- A good shampoo for frizzy hair can add shine and make your hair more manageable.
FAQs
Does Shampoo Make Your Hair Frizzy?
While shampoo with a low pH value is an anti-frizz for smoother hair, shampoo with a high pH level can cause it to dry and frizz.
A high-level pH Shampoo can strip your hair of its natural oils. These oils help keep your hair looking smooth and shiny; when they’re gone, your hair is more likely to look dry and frizzy.
However, shampoo designed for your hair type can be the best for your frizzy hair.
How Do You Use Shampoo For Frizzy Hair?
After rinsing your hair with cold water, apply a sulfate-free or conditioning shampoo and use a microfiber towel or cotton material to dry your hair.
You will also need a comb to detangle your hair, and we recommend you use a wide-tooth comb.
However, you still have other things to do to ensure frizz-free hair. Using a blow dryer, hair serums, and hair mask can return your hair fresh and greasy.
Which Shampoo Should I Use For Frizzy Hair?
A volumizing shampoo can help to add body and fullness to your hair, while a smoothing shampoo can help to reduce frizz and flyaways.
So, it is best to check and confirm if the details of the shampoo can restore your frizzy hair before placing an order.
If your hair is particularly dry or damaged, you may also want to try a deep conditioning treatment.
How Do I Permanently Get Rid Of Frizzy Hair?
Use a leave-in conditioner to keep your hair hydrated and looking smooth. You can also try using an anti-frizz serum to help control the frizz.
Always ensure to use the right shampoo and conditioner. Many products on the market claim to help with frizzy hair, but not all of them will work for everyone. You may have to experiment with a few different products before finding one that works best.
You should checkmate and put in control because your hair is frizzy after washing it. If you understand everything we mentioned in this post, you can manage your hair not to become frizzy.
