Summer is synonymous with the beach and the pool, but also with frizzy, stringy hair if you don’t hydrate it properly. Moisture is one of the worst enemies for dry and lifeless hair. Stringy hair is porous hair, so it will try to absorb as much water as possible to plump up and rehydrate, resulting in its ‘puffy’ look so hated by many women.
It is an aesthetic drawback that occurs especially in places with humid climates, whether on the coast or during rainy climate conditions. But, beyond the weather conditions, it is a problem closely related to the health of our hair since it is about a deficit of hydration and lubrication from the root.
It doesn’t matter the type of scalp you have, we have all been victims of terrible strings. Too much sebum can increase the chance of having stringy hair.
In this post, we will explain why stringy hair appears and what you can do to avoid it and have perfect looking hair.
Why is your hair stringy?
There are different causes for which hair can become frizzy: overproduction of sebum, weather, lack of hydration, chemical processes it has undergone, genetics, and poor care, among others. Stringy hair occurs due to the lack of moisture in the scalp, as it absorbs moisture from the environment, causing this effect.
Likewise, heat tools such as dryers, as well as dyes, exposure to the sun, or contact with seawater bring out the worst in our hair. Therefore, the hair must be constantly hydrated.
How to stop hair from stringing?
If you are reading this post, it is likely that you do not know how to remove frizz or stop your hair from stringing. That is why we have prepared the following steps that will undoubtedly help you achieve it:
1. Use a dry shampoo
Is your hair getting stringy in between washes? What is recommended is buying dry shampoo and spraying it at the roots. This will absorb the excess oil. It’s also recommended to buy hair products from the same brand to obtain better results.
2. Wash your hair with warm water
One of the ways to take care of your scalp is to wash it with warm water instead of hot water. When you use hot water, it will dry it out and make the hair more susceptible to frizz.
3. Use Conditioner
If your scalp is very dry, use conditioner, as well as specific products to hydrate it.
4. Dry it gently
You must dry it gently, you can preferably use a cotton shirt, like towels and sudden movements could weaken the cuticle or break it.
5. Don’t abuse chemicals
Chemicals like dyes and bleaches can damage the scalp. Also, do not overdo it with the use of straightening irons, dryers, or tweezers. In case these artifacts are part of your styling routine, it is essential that they are at a medium temperature and that you take care of your hair with a heat shield.
6. Use some oil
You must use a quality oil to seal the ends and repair the hair. Argan oil is recommended. This type of oil is rich in vitamins and antioxidants. It increases hair elasticity and restores moisture.
7. Use natural fiber or wood brushes
Comb your hair with brushes or combs made of natural fiber or wood as they break the hair less.
8. Avoid products that contain alcohol
Some products used for styling hair contain alcohol and cause damage to the scalp causing it to dry out. That is why we recommend not using this type of product if you are prone to frizzy or stringy hair.
9. Use cold air from the dryer
When using the dryer, please always use cold air, as it will prevent the hair from drying out and fostering the emergence of frizz.
Some home remedies
To solve this problem, the solution may be within your reach. Here are some home remedies for stringy hair.
1. Apple vinegar
This traditional remedy has proven to be one of the most effective against tangling hair. The vinegar helps to close the hair fiber, sealing each of its layers. So you will have more durable, shiny, and straightened hair.
You can apply it directly (or diluted in a little water) on freshly washed hair and comb it with a wide bristle brush. Follow it up with your regular conditioner and rinse with cold water.
2. Argan and almond oil
One of the main problems with dry stringy hair is the absence of oils that hydrate and lubricate it from the roots to the ends. Argan and almond oils can become your great allies when it comes to polishing and taming it. Its high content of vitamin E provides deep hydration, helping to improve your hairstyle. Besides, they help repair damage caused by heat from dryers.
Simply apply a few drops to wet or dry hair from medium to ends. It is not necessary to rinse with water.
3. Honey
It is one of the best natural moisturizers that exist. It will help to deeply hydrate your hair by retaining the water molecules in it, creating a protective layer.
You can make a homemade rinse to use after washing by dissolving a large tablespoon of pure honey in a liter of water. Also, it will add an extra shine to your hair.
4. Banana and avocado
Make a mask by mashing a banana and the pulp of an avocado until you get a uniform mixture. Apply it to damp hair and leave it on for 20 minutes.
Then wash it off using a mild shampoo that is rich in natural oils, such as argan or almond. The minerals and antioxidant properties of bananas are essential for hair repair. The fatty acids present in avocado will provide shine, nutrition, and softness.
5. Egg and olive oil
This peculiar ‘egg shampoo’ is an excellent remedy against stringy hair. By combining the emollient and hydrating properties of olive oil with the natural amino acids and proteins present in the egg, you can help cells to build and repair tissues.
Mix three tablespoons of oil with a whole egg and emulsify until it creates a uniform texture; Apply it as a mask on damp hair and leave it on for 30 minutes. Rinse with plenty of water and wash hair with an oil-rich shampoo.
How to care for curly hair?
Due to their structure, stringy, curly, and wavy hair tends to be more frizzy. The lack of hydration is a major problem that causes the string to appear dry and lifeless. Here are some tips to deal with this:
- Keep your hair hydrated. Help it with a mask for dry hair, once a week.
- Detangle it with a wide bristle comb when you have the conditioner on.
- When hair is wet and detangled, apply your favorite product to separate the curls.
- You should let it dry naturally. If this is impossible, make sure your hairdryer has a diffuser.
- Don’t brush it when it’s dry.
- If you wash your hair every other day, revitalize the curls by spraying water with a spray bottle and applying a few drops of serum or argan oil to give it shine.
- Change your pillowcase. The sleeves silk are the best.
- Try to cut the ends every 3 months.
- Avoid constantly touching your hair. If you can’t help it, the best thing to do is let it be.
- Do not vigorously brush your hair.
- Use the right amount of product. Follow the “less is more” rule, as using more than one anti-frizz product will mess up your scalp and make it look heavy and dull.
- A good diet can also help a great deal. So try to eat a balanced diet that contains foods from all the food groups.
- Limit the use of heat tools and always use a heat shield.
- Sun exposure is also like abuse to our hair. Therefore, use products that protect against ultraviolet rays.
Conclusion
Each hair fiber is made up of numerous outer layers that can be seriously damaged by the abuse of certain unsuitable cosmetics, as well as dryers. All these aggressive factors cause the keratin that naturally covers the hair to weaken – causing it to erode or split – something that leads to unsightly split ends and causes the hair to have a rough, dull, and difficult to tame.
Fortunately (apart from professional treatments), there is a series of home and natural remedies that we can use to repair damaged, stringy hair. They make the hair look healthy and shiny.
In addition to the remedies based on natural ingredients we mentioned, there are other effective tips that you can follow to avoid having stringy hair. Avoiding vigorous brushing, using well-spaced natural bristle brushes, sanitizing it frequently, washing hair with cold water, avoiding excessive heat, or not rubbing it too hard with the towel are all tricks that will help you keep it always in place.