Frizzy Hair Explained: Causes & Management Techniques | Rush

We have all battled frizz- those rebellious flyaway’s that refuse to stay smooth but on a biological level, frizz occurs when the outer layer of the hair strand or the cuticle becomes raised or roughened, allowing moisture from the air to enter the hair shaft. This causes the strand to swell unevenly, making hair look puffy, dry and untamed. Frizz often gets labelled as a sign of ‘damaged hair’, however, frizz is a natural response to your hair’s texture and its relationship with moisture. By focusing on moisture management and hydration within, sealing the cuticle and respecting your natural texture, you can work frizz instead of against it. Rush stylists are experts in hair texture health, this blog will explain how to understand frizz, prevent it and work to have your hair in its best condition.

Why Is My Hair Frizzy?

The secret to frizz lies in one tiny but powerful structure- the hair cuticle. This is the outermost layer of the hair strand, made up of overlapping cells that protect the inner layers of the hair. When these lie flat, the hair looks smooth, shiny and well-behaved, but when they open, frizz begins. In humid conditions, moisture from the air seeps through tiny gaps in the cuticle causing the hair shaft to swell unevenly, changing its shape and creating irregular texture or ‘poofiness’. Frizz is often misunderstood as a sign of ‘neglected’ or ‘damaged’ hair, but in reality, it is frequently the result of a moisture and structural imbalance within the hair shaft, rather than poor care. Even perfectly cared-for hair can frizz in high humidity because it’s responding to its environment. 

Understanding Your Hair Texture

Fine Hair

Fine hair has a naturally delicate structure meaning each strand is thinner and more prone to static and frizz, especially in humid or dry environments. As the cuticle layer is light and smooth, moisture or friction can easily cause it to lift, leading to flyaways and loss of volume.

To maintain smoothness and volume:

• Choose lightweight, hydrating products that restore balance without heaviness.
• Look for: volumising yet smoothing serums, light leave-in conditioner, hydrating mists.
• Key ingredients to seek: Panthenol, which helps retaining moisture. These ingredients keep fine hair moisturised, soft, and naturally lifted.

Avoid heavy formulas:

• Skip thick creams or heavy oils, which can fatten the hair and emphasise greasiness.
• Instead, layer lightweight products sparingly for a natural finish.

Lock in smoothness:

• Finish with an anti-static spray or a humidity-resistant mist to preserve smooth texture, shine and manageable movement.

Medium Hair

Medium hair refers to strands that are neither extremely fine nor very coarse- essentially the middle ground of hair textures. Each strand is typically moderately thick, strong enough to hold styles but still flexible. Medium hair is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs and releases water from the air.

To maintain smoothness and volume:

• Use moisturising shampoos and conditioners that don’t weigh the hair down.
• Focus conditioner on the mid-lengths and ends to prevent flatness on the roots.
• Weekly hydrating masks can help maintain elasticity and reduce frizz.

Avoid heavy formulas:

• Use lighter products on the roots like sea salt sprays or texturising powders.
• Avoid heavy creams or oils that can flatten the hair.

Lock in smoothness:

• Finish with a light serum or oil on the ends which can smooth the cuticle without looking limp.

Coarse Hair

Coarse hair refers to strands that are thicker in diameter, with a strong, dense structure. It tends to be more resistant and durable, often appearing full and voluminous. Even though hair is strong, it can be highly reactive to environmental factors. Coarse hair often has a rougher cuticle surface, making it easier for moisture to enter or escape, therefore leading to frizz.

To maintain volume and smoothness:

• Minimise heat damage and always use a heat protectant before using heated tools.
• Dry hair gently with a microfiber towel to avoid lifting the cuticle.
• Blow-dry with a round brush or diffuser, lifting at the roots to maximise volume.

Avoid heavy formulas:

• Apply leave-in conditioners to the ends to maintain moisture without weighing the hair down. 
• Coarse hair naturally holds body, so avoid heavy creams or oils near the roots.

Lock in smoothness:

• Use smoothing serums or lightweight oils on the ends to seal the cuticle and reduce frizz.

Curly & Wavy

Curly and wavy hair refers to strands that naturally form waves, spirals or coils due to the shape of the hair follicle. This hair type often has uneven cuticle layers, bends and twists along the strand which give it volume, texture and personality. Even when healthy, curly and wavy hair tends to frizz more than straight hair because of its structural and moisture characteristics.

To maintain volume and smoothness:

• Apply curl creams to maintain moisture without weighing the hair down.
• Use a diffuser when blow-drying to preserve curl shape and natural bounce. 
• Sleep on silk or satin pillowcases to reduce friction that causes frizz.

Avoid heavy formulas:

• Use lightweight mousses or root-lifting sprays if extra lift is needed.
• Avoid anything heavy that can weigh the hair down.

Lock in smoothness:

• Use a lightweight serum on areas prone to dryness, usually the ends and any loose waves or curls.

Get personalised care: For tailored advice on your hair texture, visit your nearest Rush salon.

Environmental and Lifestyle Triggers

Dust, smoke and airborne pollutants can coat the hair shaft, roughening the cuticle. This creates friction between the strands and contributes to flyaways and frizz. Heat from the sun can lift the cuticle, making hair more porous and moisture-sensitive. Cold, dry air can dehydrate the hair, raising the cuticle and causing static and frizz. Even the climate of UK cities influences frizz behaviour. Chronic stress can disrupt hormone levels, including cortisol, which affects the hair’s growth cycle, making hair thinner and more vulnerable to breakage. 

There are many solutions to frizz that can be implemented into daily routines such as eating a balanced diet rich in protein, healthy fats and vitamins to strengthen hair from within, using a filtered showerhead, especially in areas with harsher water and protecting the hair from humidity, wind and the sun.

10 Tips To Stop Your Hair From Frizzing

List the daily habits and styling tips to keep hair smooth and reduce frizz. For each one, add a short description.

1. Wash with luke warm water – Luke warm water cleanses gently while keeping the cuticle smooth.
2. Choose sulphate-free cleansers – Sulphate-free shampoos are gentler on the hair, not stripping away any natural oils.
3. Dry with care – Rough rubbing with a towel can lift the cuticle, causing frizz and breakage.
4. Detangle gently – Use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers, starting from the ends and working your way up.
5. Alternate moisture and protein masks – Protein masks help reinforce hair structure and moisture masks help restore hydration.
6. Sleep on silk or satin – Satin or silk pillowcases are soft and gentle on the hair, therefore preventing frizz.
7. Protect when styling – Protecting when styling keeps strands smooth, hydrated and frizz-free.
8. Layer lightweight products – Layering lightweight products helps smooth the hair’s cuticle.
9. Trim and nourish regularly – Split ends and dry and damaged strands make hair more prone to frizz and breakage. Regular trims help to prevent this from happening.
10. Seal with a finishing mist – Finishing mists help seal the hair cuticle.

Inside the Salon: Personalised Care at Rush

Tailored Smoothing and Bond- Building Services

These treatments repair damage from colouring, heat or environmental stress leaving hair smoother, healthier and more resilient. They lock in moisture to make strands appear shinier, softer and more manageable.

Moisture or Strength Rituals

Moisture rituals use hydrating masks, leave-in conditioners and oils to replenish water in the hair shaft, smoothing the cuticle and reducing puffiness. By alternating or combining these rituals, hair stays soft and frizz-resistant.

Custom Finish Blow-dry’s 

Custom blow-dry’s help seal the hair’s cuticle and enhance smoothness. Rush stylists use heat, brushes and tailored products to control frizz.

Book An Appointment To Assess Your Frizzy Hair

Discover your true hair type and the products that work best for it by booking into your closest Rush salon where our expert stylists can help tame frizz.