Puffy hair: 3 ways to tame your mane

What causes hair to become frizzy?

Unruly frizz, flyaways… so, how can you keep your hair from looking puffy? Before we get to the solutions, let’s take a step back to understand what causes the problem in the first place.

Humidity, the number one enemy

Puffiness occurs when the cuticle of the hair shaft opens, usually in response to external environmental factors. In most cases, humidity is the main cause. This not only adds volume but can also lead to frizz and visibly unruly hair.

Watch what you put in your hair!

Repeated use of certain hair care products, such as clarifying shampoos, can damage the hair shaft. The chemicals in these products can dry out the hair and cause the cuticles on its outer layer to swell and open when they should be sealed. As a result, your hair can become rough and frizzy, and may develop split ends.

Curly hair: proceed with caution

Some of us are luckier than others when it comes to dealing with frizzy hair, because people with curly hair are naturally more likely to experience this problem. This is because curly hair is more porous and therefore more prone to dryness.

Pro tip: If you have curly hair, avoid brushing it when it’s dry, as this can disrupt or break up your curls. Instead, detangle your hair while it’s wet using the gentle detangling brush from the Altesse Studio Beauty Collection.

How to avoid frizzy hair?

The key to preventing frizzy hair is taking special care to maintain the health of the hair shaft and keep it hydrated. Here are three of our most effective techniques for doing so.

Styling

As the old saying goes, it’s best to choose the right tools for the job. Choosing a high-quality boar bristle brush, such as those from the Altesse Studio Prestige , can help evenly distribute the natural sebum produced by the scalp from root to tip, ensuring that the hair shaft is properly hydrated. This prevents the hair from absorbing too much moisture and helps avoid frizz. Remember to brush gently, as brushing too vigorously can cause the outer cuticle of the hair to swell, resulting in the puffy look you’re trying to avoid!

Temperature

As we’ve already mentioned, humidity is a major cause of frizzy hair. The solution? Start by washing your hair with lukewarm water and rinsing it with cold water to seal the cuticles. Then, use a microfiber towel to gently press your hair and remove any excess water. Finally, try to minimize your use of heat-activated styling products, or use the lowest setting on your hair dryer if necessary.

Hair care

Take a close look at the ingredients in your daily hair care products and avoid those that contain sodium laureth sulfate or sodium lauryl sulfate—two ingredients known to cause dryness. Investing in a leave-in serum for wet hair is also a good idea to lock in moisture and prevent frizz. Alternatively, opt for the all-natural approach and try a sebum cure, known for its hydrating effects, which you can enhance by using a high-quality boar-bristle brush.