If you live somewhere with high humidity, such as Southern Florida, you know fighting frizz can be a struggle. How can you keep your natural hair healthy and frizz-free no matter the weather?

Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to tame your locks while nourishing them. 

Ten tips for maintaining your natural hair

1. Moisturize

Hydration is the number one way to keep your hair from getting frizzy. Since natural hair tends to be coarse (strands are thicker in diameter), it’s also more likely to be dry. This can make it difficult to style and, in extreme cases, lead to breakage.

To keep your hair moisturized, use a leave-in conditioner after showering. This provides on-going protection and hydration even in hot or humid weather.

2. Use Fortifying Shampoo

One of the best things you can do for your hair is keratin treatments. Keratin is a protein that naturally occurs in hair and nails, making them strong and durable. Keratin products such as shampoos deliver these valuable proteins directly to strands to fortify and nourish them. With regular use, you can repair hair that’s suffered heat or chemical damage.

3. Set Your Hair at Night

Your hair is at risk of tangles and static cling during the night due to prolonged contact with your pillow. In the morning, static cling can become unmanageable frizz. Fortunately, you can prevent this by setting your hair at night.

A satin bonnet or wrap eliminates the risk of static cling; simply wear one over your protective style at night. If you find that uncomfortable, you can change out your pillowcase for satin one instead.

4. Try a Scalp Massage

It may sound too good to be true, but a scalp massage can promote hair health. Massaging stimulates the skin, increasing blood flow to the area. This not only helps with healing and nourishing your scalp, but can also encourage hair growth. The best time to massage your scalp is in the shower as you’re washing your hair.

5. Wear Protective Styles

If you’re trying to grow out your hair, you should consider a protection-focused style. These specifically protect hair from environmental damage, allowing you to grow out locks without breakage or split ends. There are protective styles for every length of hair; the following are a few of the most popular:

• Dutch roll
• Box braids
• Bun mohawk
• Pineapple updo
• Bantu knots
• Topknot
• Chignon
• Twists
• Cornrows

6. Get Your Hair Trimmed Regularly

Split ends aren’t just unsightly — they’re likely to cause more damage by splitting up the strand. If you have split ends, one of the best things you can do is get a trim. The ends of your hair are the most likely to be damaged, so taking off a few inches can prevent further breakage.

7. Detangle Gently

Tangles can be painful and inconvenient; in the worst-case scenario, they can lead to breakage. That’s why you must detangle gently, especially if your hair has chemical or heat damage. Apply a leave-in conditioner to soften strands and make them easier to separate, then use a wide-tooth comb to gently work out tangles starting from the ends of your hair.

8. Seal Your Ends

If your ends are getting dry, but aren’t yet damaged, you can prevent breakage by sealing them. Hair oil is one of the best products for this, as it deeply penetrates strands to moisturize from the inside-out. Just make sure that you only use a few drops of oil to keep from over-saturating and making your locks look greasy.

9. Skip the Sulfates

Many shampoos contain sulfates as cleansing agents, but you’ll want to skip these. Sulfates are incredibly harsh and can strip strands of moisture. Instead, look for gentle cleansers that also moisturize.

10. Avoid Heated Styling

Heat is one of the worst things you can do to hair, as it simultaneously dries and damages. Try skipping the straight and curling irons and wearing protective styles instead. If you absolutely must use heated styling, make sure you apply a protective spray or cream to mitigate damage.

If you live in an area with lots of sunshine, such as Southern Florida, you’ll also want to protect your hair from the sun, as UV rays can break down strand structure. Wearing a hat made of UV-blocking material is an excellent solution.

Are you trying to revitalize your natural hair? Keratherapy can help. We understand how hard it can be to deal with frizz, which is why we offer keratin treatments to nourish hair. For more information, you can contact us today. 

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Kiuikson