Why Your Hair Is Frizzy And 6 Mistakes Making It Worse | Dr. Tanvi Vaidya

Why frizz happens (core idea)

Frizz is largely driven by the hair cuticle opening up, which allows hair to absorb moisture and swell (hygroscopic behavior). The cuticle can open due to:

• Humidity
• Heat stress
• Pollution
• Excessive over-combing
• Other irritants

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Key wellness/self-care & hair-care strategies to reduce frizz

1) Control moisture effects (especially in humidity)

• Expect blow-dry results to fade in humid weather because humidity makes the cuticle absorb water and swell.
• Plan to use frizz-control finishing products (serums) when you go out.

2) Avoid overwashing (protect the hair’s protective lipids)

• Shampoo acts as a surfactant and can strip protective layers, including the 18-MEA lipid layer.
• Don’t wash excessively, especially with harsh shampoos.
• Prefer gentler (sulfate-free) shampoo.

3) Condition more effectively (don’t just use “anti-frizz” labels)

Conditioning helps strengthen/seal the cuticle to prevent it from opening.

Options include:

• Hair oils (pre-wash conditioning): act as occlusives by coating/protecting hair.
• Deep conditioning / hair masks: can be used more often (even every wash if frizz-prone) rather than just once weekly.
• Leave-in products (especially for curly hair): help “soothe” and reduce frizz; good for more porous hair.
• Curl-specific styling aids: curl creams, curl gels, leave-in conditioners.
• Serums (on non-wash days too): silicone-based serums can be helpful because they also act as occlusives.

4) Reduce heat damage (major frizz trigger)

Heat can break hair bonds (hydrogen bonds), temporarily changing texture and increasing frizz.

• Minimize heat styling when possible.
• If using heat:
  • Use a heat-protecting serum before blow-drying or ironing.
  • Prefer lower heat settings.
• On hair straightening:
  • The speaker says daily blow-drying (with heat protection) is still better than salon straightening procedures.
  • Salon straightening can break more bonds (including disulfide bonds) and involves chemicals (e.g., formaldehyde release, glyoxylate, alkaline solutions), making hair more brittle.

5) Stop aggressive drying and handling

• Don’t towel-dry vigorously.
  • Remove excess water gently and let hair air dry.
• Use microfiber towels to reduce static buildup, which contributes to frizz.

6) Detangle/comb smartly (type matters)

Straight hair

• Comb/brush once post-showering when slightly dry.
• Use serum before combing to reduce frizz.
• Don’t over-comb/brush throughout the day (about once daily is suggested).

Wavy/curly hair

• Detangle with conditioner in the shower or use leave-in immediately post-shower.
• Avoid repeatedly combing curls when they’re dry; combing can open up curl pattern into frizz.
• Techniques mentioned: scrunch and twirl (instead of trying to force straightness).

7) Consider targeted repair (limits noted)

• The speaker mentions bond repair treatments (hair “medispa” services) that can help repair structural damage to hydrogen bonds.
• Disulfide bonds can’t be repaired, and chemically straightened hair generally can’t be fully undone—only grown out over time.

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Presenter / Source

• Dr. Tanvi Vaidya (Consultant Dermatologist)