Sti call “swelling” effect and occurs when the hair they become frizzy, puffy and lose all traces of styling. NoNot all hair “suffers” from this problem, indeed they are the porous ones are more affected, frizzy, with fragile and raised cuticles, and therefore more subject to humidity. Here are the remedies.
Frizzy and swollen hair, because the fold doesn’t hold
“Not all hair gets swollen. The hair to which this happens tends to be the most porous and which have a problem of unclosed cuticles» explains Sabrina Palumbo, Art Director of Papalu Hair&Beauty spa in Milan.
«The structure of the hair is like the roof of a house, made up of small tiles which, if not tightly fixed one above the other, let water in. That is, they accumulate more humidity, swelling and eliminating the crease».
Puffy hair? It’s a problem for those with porous stems but not only (Instagram/@lilycollins)
At the basis of this phenomenon there are genetic factors but also some hair routine habits: «The hair that tends to these problems is both those genetically structured with an uneven stem, and those that undergo the so-called mechanical aging. The latter is due to thehabitual use of straighteners, dyes and lightening which, in the long run, put a strain on the hair structure, leading it to swell up» explains the expert.
Humidity, the enemy of more “porous” hair
To the natural structure of the hair and to ageing, humidity is also added. This is in fact composed of microdroplets of water which, in contact with the hair, they tend to open and lift the cuticles infiltrating the stems, which will appear frizzy, opaque and stringy.
The worst consequences are i porous hair: being physiologically already dry, they absorb water very easily, swelling out of proportion.
How to prevent frizzy and puffy hair
How to act then? Choosing one specific hair routinemade up of steps that not only include shampoo and post cleansing, but also pre-shampoo with nourishing packs.
“The remedy is use the products of the lines defined as “smooth”: they play asmoothing and anti-frizz action so that the hair is less exposed to humidity» he continues Sabrina Palumbo.
If the hair is porous, the nourishment needs to be improved. For this reason, before shampooing, it is useful to make a oil-based wrap: wrapping the stem with a protective film, they prevent the hair from absorbing too much water during washing.
Fundamental, then, balm or conditioner: if the shampoo carries out a slightly alkaline cleansing action, the conditioner, with its acidic nature, closes the cuticles. Not only do they restructure the hair but they allow you to keep the fold longer so as to resist humidity.
From caviar to keratin, the most suitable treatments
And in the salon, which treatments to choose? “Everyone is perfect those based on caviar, amino acids and keratin. All three act by rejuvenating the hair, repairing damage and preventing frizz, keeping it soft and hydrated» explains the expert.
The caviar in fact it acts in the depths of the structure of the stem: the active ingredients contained in it act stimulating hair cell renewal so as to repair, restructure and strengthen the hair from roots to ends.
As far as amino acids are concerned, methionine and cystine strengthen the keratin structure of the hairgiving them strength and elasticity.
There keratinFinally, it helps eliminate frizz and keep the hair smooth. In fact, it modifies its structure in order to fill and seal the raised cuticles.
A daily help? The microfiber towel
An ally within everyone’s reach is the microfibre towel. In fact, the moment of drying should not be underestimated and it is better to put the sponge aside in favor of the microfiber. In fact, this absorbs water better, so as to prevent it from entering the hair by swelling it.
Instead of rubbing it into your hair – an action that lifts the cuticles – it’s better to pat it and wrap it like a turban.
One last tip for curly hair: never wear the microfiber turban for more than 15 minutes: the trapped heat only makes the situation worse.
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