How to Tame Frizzy Hair in Singapore

Frizzy hair is common in Singapore and can be nearly impossible to tame. After having styled hair for hours for an important function, you step out for a moment and- poof, they go crazy!

There may not be a permanent remedy that could tame the frizz but there are preventive measures you can adopt to effectively manage the flyaways and regain the healthy, luscious look for your locks. These almost always begin with the hair products you use.

Triggers for frizzy hair in Singapore

The hair is a complex structure enclosed in an outermost layer called the cuticle. This cuticle is made up of overlapping scales which align themselves flat and protect the hair under normal healthy conditions.

When dehydrated, this cuticle becomes weak and breaks easily with the friction between the hair strands. In the presence of moisture, the scales rise independently to absorb as much water as they can, hence the frizzy appearance.

Flyaways are small hair-strands that feel rough, coarse, and are terribly undisciplined without any alignment with other hairs. When you tie your hair back in a ponytail, these strands stick out. They can also feel stiff or straw-like and are highly prone to damage or breakage.

In Singapore, the air is overloaded with moisture and this is the primary cause of frizziness and dry hair. On exposure to air, these hairs captivated by the lucrative charm of humidity, suck in the moisture, swell up and get frizzy.

Causes of frizzy hair

1. Humidity

Humidity is essentially water and contains hydrogen bonds. These hydrogen bonds in humid air develop new bonds with water molecules and proteins in hair, raising a frizz.

2. Dryness

The longingness of dry hair for water leads to a frizz. Curly or naturally wavy hair are a blessing to have, but the natural dryness in the hair makeup predisposes them to frizziness.

Additionally, anything that dries out your hair can befriend frizziness and this can include:

• Excessive hair-washing
• Hot water
• Harsh shampoos or alkaline hair products
• Excessive use of hairdryers or heat styling tools

These can cause a loss in moisture by either drying or damaging the hair cuticles. Aside from external causes, genetics, and dietary habits, too, can contribute to frizzy hair.

What kinds of shampoos are available in Singapore for frizzy hair?

There are many types of shampoos available to cater to the various demands for different types of hair. Some are good for oily scalps, some for dry scalps, some for sensitive scalps and then there are some for chemically treated hair as well.

Though the primary function of all shampoos is to remove the excess oil and dirt to cleanse your scalp and hair, their secondary benefit is to add nourishment and growth factors to the hair to promote healthy hair growth.

Thus, it is important to correctly match the hair type, desired benefits with the corresponding shampoo to gain the maximum results.

Best ingredients in anti-frizz shampoos

In Singapore, warm and humid climate is a predominant cause of frizz in dry hair. Thus, it becomes crucial that we prevent our hair from drying up. A proper anti-frizz shampoo should be gentle with strong moisturizing, hydrating, and nourishing properties.

A good anti-frizz shampoo should:

1. Be strongly hydrating to moisturize the dry strands, thereby giving your locks a moisturized, refreshing glow. Glycerin offers hydration and is well-known for absorbing extra moisture from air, imbibing it into the hair follicle from the inside out. Along with a superb moisture-trapping ability, glycerin tops the list of ‘must-haves’ for ingredients in anti-frizz shampoos.
2. Contain natural oils like coconut oils, shea butter, jojoba, argan, sunflower, olive or grapeseed oils not only moisturize and nourish the hair, but they also form a barrier to lock the moisture in, giving you smooth, silky-soft, de-tangled, healthy hairs. As they are organic, they are easily absorbed to add shine in contrast to the synthetic ones which pile over.
3. Contain frizz-reducing agents like citric acid, biotin, panthenol, etc. impart smoothness to the cuticle, preventing friction and thus frizz.
4. Have protein-rich components such as collagen and silk can help to repair the damage, treat the brittleness, and restore healthy shiny curls.
5. Be free from harmful chemicals like sulphates, alcohols, etc. These can rip off the natural oil protection of your locks and lead to moisture loss and dryness.

What about conditioners for frizzy hair?

With the right conditioner, even unmanageable flyaways become well manageable. Conditioners form a protective layer around each strand to safeguard them from the harshness of weather, dust, hot water, or styling tools.

Other benefits of conditioners also include smoothening them, thus preventing friction, tangling and resultant frizz. Conditioners help to produce soft-silken, lustrous, detangled and frizz-free bounces!

Nowadays, medically formulated conditioners are available and can be purchased in drugstores or online. For frizzy hair, we recommend looking for conditioners that contain:

1. Strong hydrating solutions enriched with keratin, proteins, and natural oils such as glycerin, coconut milk, silicones, and emollients. These revitalize your hair by replenishing the moisture and locking it in to control the frizz.
2. Strengthening agents to fortify the coating around the cuticle to prevent friction and breakage.

A proper anti-frizz conditioning product is Ossome Hair‘s MoistureLock series, a superb hydrating agent with no chemicals like parabens, sulphates, silicone, or artificial fragrances.

Have a spa day for healthy hair

Hair-washing with a hydrating shampoo and regular conditioning can help to restore the natural shine and gloss in your hair. If you feel as though your hair needs a bit more pampering, deep conditioning with a hair mask can be beneficial.

Deep conditioning ensures the maintenance of hydration in the hair and adds proteins and essential oils to promote rejuvenation. It also prevents the cuticles from opening and losing moisture. A simple hair mask from the drugstores, hair and scalp centres or homemade ones done weekly can do wonders for frizzy hair!

Some DIY recipes to mask your frizz for healthy, beautiful locks can include:

• Evergreen coconut oil with castor oil
• Argon oil, apple cider vinegar, soaked onion seeds, and aloe vera
• Avocado pulp (rich in vitamin E) with olive oil
• Bananas mixed with yogurt

Other tips to promote anti-frizz

Using the right haircare products and getting a regular trim once in a while can help to keep your hair looking neat and healthy. Here are some tips that we have gathered that can help in giving healthier-looking hair and keep away the frizz!

• Keep your tresses hydrated with hair serums or oils.
• Avoid washing your hair daily – wash them on alternate days instead.
• Apply moisturizing oils such as coconut oil before and after every wash.
• Avoid rubbing your hair with a towel, instead squeeze your hair dry from the ends gently.
• Never comb wet hair as they are more prone to breakage and can result in hair loss. Apply water or oil and detangle the hair by portions, from the ends to roots with your fingers.
• Avoid hot-drying or straightening your hair daily.
• Try using silk pillowcases to protect your hair while you sleep.

What are your go-to hair care products for frizzy hair in Singapore? Leave your comments below and let us know what your favourites are!