What Causes Frizzy Hair? 10 Common Causes & How to Fix Them

Frizz Control Hair Care Routine Haircare Tips
August 28, 2025
What Causes Frizzy Hair? 10 Common Causes & How to Fix Them

Frizzy hair is a common concern for many people, regardless of hair type or texture. It’s often described as dry, rough, and unmanageable strands that seem to stand up or puff out uncontrollably. But what exactly causes frizz, and more importantly, how can you fix it?

In this detailed guide, we’ll explore the top 10 reasons why your hair gets frizzy and share practical, effective solutions to help you maintain smooth, healthy hair. Whether you have curly, wavy, or straight hair, understanding the science behind frizz will empower you to control it better.

What is Hair Frizz?

Frizz occurs when the hair’s protective outer layer, known as the cuticle, becomes raised or damaged. This allows moisture from the environment to penetrate the hair shaft, causing it to swell and lose its smooth alignment. The result? Hair that looks dry, puffy, and difficult to manage.

Humidity is often blamed as the main cause of frizz, but several other factors play a role, including your hair type, styling habits, products you use, and even your diet.

Top 10 Causes of Frizzy Hair

1. Hot Showers

Many don’t realize that washing hair with hot water is one of the silent causes of frizz. Hot water strips your hair of its natural oils, which are essential for keeping strands hydrated and smooth. Without these oils, hair becomes dry, rough, and prone to frizz.

How to fix it:
Switch to lukewarm or cool water when washing your hair, and always follow up with a moisturizing conditioner to lock in hydration. Try using our Protect Control Conditioning Mask for deep hydration and frizz control.

2. Harsh Styling Products

Using styling products that contain sulfates, alcohol, or parabens can damage your hair. These ingredients raise the hair cuticle and strip moisture, leading to dryness and frizz.

How to fix it:
Choose sulfate-free shampoos and gentle styling products formulated for your hair type. Look for nourishing leave-in conditioners or curl creams to maintain moisture and control frizz.

3. Heat Styling Tools

Straighteners, curling irons, and blow dryers used frequently and at high temperatures can weaken the hair shaft. Without proper heat protection, the intense heat cracks the hair cuticle, resulting in frizz.

How to fix it:
Use heat styling tools sparingly and always apply a heat protectant spray before styling. Also, try to use the lowest effective heat setting. Discover safe styling tips in our How to Use a Diffuser on Curly Hair article.

4. Hair Type

Naturally curly or coarse hair is more prone to frizz because the natural oils produced by the scalp have a harder time traveling down the twists and turns of curls. This uneven moisture balance causes the cuticle to lift more easily in response to environmental changes.

How to fix it:
Add hydrating masks and deep conditioning treatments to your routine regularly. Oil treatments with argan or jojoba oil can also help lock in moisture.

5. Bad Styling Habits

Bad hair care habits, such as not trimming split ends regularly (every 8–12 weeks), rough brushing or combing, and tying your hair too tightly when wet, cause breakage and frizz.

How to fix it:
Trim your hair regularly, comb gently starting from the ends upwards, and avoid tight hairstyles, especially on wet hair.

6. Towel Drying

Using traditional terry cloth towels to dry hair creates friction, roughens the cuticle, and causes frizz and breakage.

How to fix it:
Switch to microfiber towels or soft cotton T-shirts to gently blot excess water. Allow your hair to air dry partially before applying styling products.

7. Humidity

Humidity is one of the biggest culprits behind frizz. When hair absorbs excess moisture from the air, the shaft swells and cuticles lift, causing hair to look puffy and unmanageable.

How to fix it:
Use anti-humidity sprays or silicone-based serums to seal the cuticle and block moisture from entering. Avoid going outside with wet hair as it attracts more humidity.

8. Lack of Natural Oils

Your scalp produces natural oils that protect and hydrate hair. Washing hair too often or stripping these oils causes dryness and frizz.

How to fix it:
Avoid daily washing and incorporate natural oils such as argan, almond, or jojoba oil into your hair care routine to replenish moisture.

9. Excessive Hair Washing

Frequent washing removes the protective oils and disrupts the scalp’s natural moisture balance, making hair dry and frizzy.

How to fix it:
Limit washing to 2–3 times a week and use a gentle sulfate-free shampoo. On non-wash days, dry shampoo can help maintain freshness without stripping oils.

10. Skipping Heat Protectants

Using heat styling tools without a heat protectant spray exposes hair to direct damage, cracking the hair shaft and causing frizz.

How to fix it:
Always apply a heat protectant spray before using any heat tools to create a protective barrier and reduce damage.

Additional Tips to Prevent and Manage Frizz

  • Hydrate: Drink plenty of water to keep your hair and body hydrated.

  • Sleep on silk: Use silk or satin pillowcases to reduce friction that causes frizz.

  • Trim regularly: Removing split ends prevents frizz from spreading.

  • Protective hairstyles: Tie hair back loosely or use protective styles on high humidity days.

Conclusion

Frizzy hair is mainly caused by environmental factors such as humidity and heat, along with your hair care habits and hair type. The good news? It’s manageable. By making simple changes like washing hair with lukewarm water, avoiding harsh products, protecting your hair from heat and humidity, and using moisturizing treatments, you can reduce frizz and keep your hair smooth and healthy.

For more personalized hair care advice and keratin treatment solutions, visit our Hair Treatment for Smooth Hair page.

FAQs

What is frizzy hair?

Frizzy hair is dry, rough hair with raised cuticles that appear puffy or unmanageable due to moisture imbalance and damage.

Does washing hair too often cause frizz?

Yes, it strips natural oils essential for hair hydration, leading to dryness and frizz.

How can I control frizz naturally?

Switch to sulfate-free shampoos, use hydrating hair masks, natural oils, and avoid excessive heat styling.

Is humidity really the main cause of frizz?

Humidity plays a big role, but other factors like hair damage, products, and hair type also contribute.