Why does my hair frizz up when I brush it?
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Oliver White
Works at the International Renewable Energy Agency, Lives in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Hello, I'm a hair care specialist with extensive knowledge in the field of hair science and styling. Understanding the intricacies of hair behavior is crucial for maintaining its health and appearance. Let's delve into the science behind why your hair frizzes up when you brush it.
Hair Structure and Cuticle:
Hair is primarily composed of a protein called keratin, which is structured in a way that it has a protective outer layer known as the cuticle. This cuticle is made up of overlapping cells that act like shingles on a roof, protecting the inner layers of the hair shaft. When hair is healthy, these cuticles lay flat and smooth, allowing the hair to reflect light and appear shiny and smooth.
Friction and Cuticle Disruption:
The act of brushing, especially when the hair is dry, can cause friction against the hair shaft. This friction can lift the cuticles, disrupting their smooth, flat alignment. When the cuticles are lifted, they expose the cortex, the inner layer of the hair, which is more susceptible to moisture absorption. This exposure leads to the hair becoming more porous, allowing for increased water absorption, which in turn causes the hair to swell and the strands to repel each other, resulting in frizz.
Hair Moisture and Frizz:
Hair naturally contains some level of moisture, which is essential for its health. However, when hair is exposed to humidity or other sources of moisture, it can absorb more water than usual. The cortex, being hydrophilic (water-loving), swells as it absorbs water, which causes the hair to expand. This expansion, combined with the lifted cuticles, can lead to the hair strands pushing away from each other, creating the frizzy appearance.
Brushing Technique and Hair Health:
Brushing when the hair is dry not only causes frizz but can also lead to breakage and damage. The hair is most vulnerable to breakage when it's wet because it can be up to 50% more elastic. Brushing wet hair can stretch the hair and cause it to break, especially if the hair is already damaged or chemically treated.
Optimal Hair Care Practices:
To minimize frizz and maintain hair health, it's recommended to towel-dry your hair after a shower, removing excess water without rubbing, which can cause further frizz. Then, you can gently detangle your hair with a wide-tooth comb or your fingers while it's still wet. Using a leave-in conditioner or an anti-frizz serum can also help to smooth the cuticle and lock in moisture, reducing the chances of frizz.
Finger Combing:
Finger combing with wet fingers can be particularly effective in managing frizz. The natural oils from your fingers can help to condition the hair and smooth the cuticle layer, reducing the likelihood of frizz. Additionally, finger combing is gentler on the hair and less likely to cause breakage compared to using a brush or comb.
In conclusion, the frizz that occurs when you brush your hair is a result of the disruption of the hair's cuticle layer and the absorption of moisture by the cortex. To combat frizz, it's essential to adopt proper hair care practices that include using the right tools, techniques, and products that are designed to protect and smooth the hair cuticle, thereby maintaining the hair's natural moisture balance and shine.
Hair Structure and Cuticle:
Hair is primarily composed of a protein called keratin, which is structured in a way that it has a protective outer layer known as the cuticle. This cuticle is made up of overlapping cells that act like shingles on a roof, protecting the inner layers of the hair shaft. When hair is healthy, these cuticles lay flat and smooth, allowing the hair to reflect light and appear shiny and smooth.
Friction and Cuticle Disruption:
The act of brushing, especially when the hair is dry, can cause friction against the hair shaft. This friction can lift the cuticles, disrupting their smooth, flat alignment. When the cuticles are lifted, they expose the cortex, the inner layer of the hair, which is more susceptible to moisture absorption. This exposure leads to the hair becoming more porous, allowing for increased water absorption, which in turn causes the hair to swell and the strands to repel each other, resulting in frizz.
Hair Moisture and Frizz:
Hair naturally contains some level of moisture, which is essential for its health. However, when hair is exposed to humidity or other sources of moisture, it can absorb more water than usual. The cortex, being hydrophilic (water-loving), swells as it absorbs water, which causes the hair to expand. This expansion, combined with the lifted cuticles, can lead to the hair strands pushing away from each other, creating the frizzy appearance.
Brushing Technique and Hair Health:
Brushing when the hair is dry not only causes frizz but can also lead to breakage and damage. The hair is most vulnerable to breakage when it's wet because it can be up to 50% more elastic. Brushing wet hair can stretch the hair and cause it to break, especially if the hair is already damaged or chemically treated.
Optimal Hair Care Practices:
To minimize frizz and maintain hair health, it's recommended to towel-dry your hair after a shower, removing excess water without rubbing, which can cause further frizz. Then, you can gently detangle your hair with a wide-tooth comb or your fingers while it's still wet. Using a leave-in conditioner or an anti-frizz serum can also help to smooth the cuticle and lock in moisture, reducing the chances of frizz.
Finger Combing:
Finger combing with wet fingers can be particularly effective in managing frizz. The natural oils from your fingers can help to condition the hair and smooth the cuticle layer, reducing the likelihood of frizz. Additionally, finger combing is gentler on the hair and less likely to cause breakage compared to using a brush or comb.
In conclusion, the frizz that occurs when you brush your hair is a result of the disruption of the hair's cuticle layer and the absorption of moisture by the cortex. To combat frizz, it's essential to adopt proper hair care practices that include using the right tools, techniques, and products that are designed to protect and smooth the hair cuticle, thereby maintaining the hair's natural moisture balance and shine.
2024-05-16 23:45:42
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Works at the International Organization for Migration, Lives in Geneva, Switzerland.
Because brushing disrupts the hair's cuticle, it can also stretch the hair and cause breakage. A better idea is to towel-dry your frizzy hair after a shower and brush, comb or finger-comb it while it's still wet. ... Finger combing with wet fingers can help tame frizz and de-tangle.
2023-06-17 15:12:34
Lucas Wilson
QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
Because brushing disrupts the hair's cuticle, it can also stretch the hair and cause breakage. A better idea is to towel-dry your frizzy hair after a shower and brush, comb or finger-comb it while it's still wet. ... Finger combing with wet fingers can help tame frizz and de-tangle.
