The Best Way to Control Humidity Frizz for Black Hair

Keeping black hair in place requires sealing out humidity.
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Watching your perfectly coiffed locks frizz out in high humidity can make even the most fashionable diva give up on her style. Black hair is particularly porous, so it soaks up humidity like a sponge. Whether due to the weather, working out or high indoor humidity, battling frizzed-out flyways can be a real fight for black men and women. The best way to keep those stylish strands in line is to seal out the dampness before it does any damage.

Apply a quarter-sized amount of moisturizing shampoo to your scalp, and massage it gently over your scalp using the tips of your fingers for 30 to 60 seconds. Work the shampoo down into the length of your hair, and then rinse it out thoroughly using warm water.

Wrap a towel around your head, and squeeze it gently to remove excess moisture from your hair. Do not rub your hair, which can cause breakage and roughen up the cuticle, resulting in frizz.

Comb through your hair gently using a wide-tooth comb, starting at the ends and working your way up to the roots.

Open a bottle of anti-frizz serum containing silicone, and apply a dime-sized amount to one palm. Work the serum through your hair from roots to ends with your fingers. Cover as much of the hair strands as possible, as the serum will seal the hair and keep excess moisture out.

Snap or twist a diffuser onto the end of a hair dryer and set the dryer to low heat. Turn it on, and hold it 6 to 10 inches from your hair to dry your tresses into the desired style.

Apply a pea-sized amount of wax over the ends of your hair strands, using your fingertips. The wax further seals the hair follicles to prevent moisture from causing frizz.

Shake up a can of dry shampoo for 30 seconds while it is upside-down. Pick up a 1-inch-wide section of hair, and hold it away from your head and up toward the ceiling. Hold the shampoo 6 to 10 inches away from the roots, and apply a light spritz extending out 1 inch from the roots. Brush the product through your hair from roots to ends so that the hair doesn't take on an ashy appearance. Apply the dry shampoo before working out or spending extended periods outdoors in humid weather.

Spray the roots of your hair with a light layer of shea butter spray, olive oil or argan oil immediately after working out or sweating, as these will help prevent the frizziness from developing as your sweat evaporates.

  • Never use a brush after styling your hair for the day, as it will create more frizz. Instead comb your strands using a wide-tooth comb.
  • You can also wrap your hair in a cotton scarf before working out; the cotton will absorb sweat and help to prevent frizziness.

Kimberly Johnson is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in various online publications including eHow, Suite101 and Examiner. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia and began writing professionally in 2001.

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