How to Manage Thick Hair

Thick Hair Tips and Tricks for Any Season

Some people with thick hair bemoan the arrival of cold weather and “heating season” when their hair seems to dry out and become brittle and full of static cling. Others dread the arrival of warmer, more humid weather when they have a seemingly endless number of bad hair and frizzy hair days. To those who covet thick hair, these issues don’t sound like valid problems, but for those with thick hair, we feel your pain! We have some great thick hair tips in this issue.

As one beauty expert noted, “Thick hair is often viewed as the ideal type of hair to have, but those who were born with a full head of thick, luscious locks are definitely familiar with the struggle of managing their mop. Sure, having volume is great and there are tons of options for creating versatile hairstyles, but what about the constant frizz and the time it requires to style that hair?”

Truer words were never spoken (written?)! So, to help those with thick hair learn how to better control their coveted “mops,” we have some great thick hair tips and tricks for any season and any issue.

Taming Frizz: Begin by Knowing Its Cause

Why does frizz even happen? After all, as we noted above, it hits when it is hot and dry as well as when it is damp. So, let’s take a moment to enjoy a bit of science-talk about frizzy hair.

According to one expert, “Frizz is caused when the outer layer of your hair cuticle is lifted, causing moisture to pass through and swell the hair strands. When the cuticle is flat and not raised, the hair strands remain smooth and frizz free…This lifting of the cuticle can be caused by multiple reasons, but the most common reason for thick haired ladies is dry hair, leaving the hair cuticles more prone to lifting.”

That sort of explains it all, because the hair that is dry may encounter just enough moisture to go frizzy, and that can happen at almost any time. Yet, frizz is not the only issue that people living with thick hair face. For example, one hair expert listed the following issues or problems:

• “No Comb Can Tackle Your Tangles
• There Is Not Enough Conditioner in the World
• Brushing Causes Next-Level Pouf
• Round Brushes Are Scary Hair Traps
• Blowouts Take a Hundred Hours
• Your Hair Is Never Fully Dry
• Your Bed Head Is Scary Big
• No Elastic Is Mighty Enough for Your Ponytail
• Heavy Hair Has No Bounce
• Midlength Hair Looks Like a Helmet
• Thinning Razors and Shears Damage Your Hair”

How to Tame Frizz and all Other Problems

That is a lot of different trouble, on top of the whole frizz concern. So, what can be done about it? There are a few good answers to all of these problems, and rather than attempt to address them one by one, we are going to just look at three general areas that can offer answers to all of the big concerns about big, thick hair. They are:

• Products to use
• Tools to use
• Styles and cuts to call to action

Let’s dive right in by taking a look at the right products to bring into battle if your thick hair is causing you any of those issues above.

Related: Which Hair Straightening Technique Is Right For You?

The Best Products to Tame Thick Hair Problems

Shampoo, rinse, repeat…those are typical hair care tactics, but that is not what is needed with thick hair running into things like frizz and flyaway issues. In fact, one expert even suggested the following: “Cut back on washes. It’s not a secret that healthy hair is more manageable than hair that’s damaged. But how can you achieve healthy hair in the first place? For starters, skip out on some shampoos. The scalp’s natural oils provide moisture and shine, and washing your hair every day can strip you of those and leave your hair dry. Try leaving at least one day in between washes, which will make working with your hair much easier.”

So, think about the shampoo you use, but even more importantly, how often it is called into action. If you are a once daily washer, reconsider that and then think about using some of the other solutions below. They include:

Conditioners – Cleansing conditioners, leave-in conditioners, and traditional conditioners…these are the solutions you need when you have to struggle with dry and difficult hair that also happens to be heavy and thick. Sulfate-free, cleansing conditioners, for example will help with preventing breaking and drying, and actually leave your hair more elastic.  Leave in conditioners spray on and control frizz before it begins, while leaving hair shiny and far more manageable.

Oils – You see the ingredients listed directly on bottles of premium shampoo – coconut oil, argan oil, and more. The thing to remember is that you don’t have to seek them out as watered down ingredients. You can actually whip up your own hair masks and conditioning treatments using raw, high quality oils “in the raw”. As an example, just look for the highest quality bottle of coconut oil you can find and apply it from the root of the hair to the tips of the hair. Put on a shower cap and let it sit on your hair for at least 20 minutes. Then go ahead and shampoo and condition that thick hair just like you normally would. You’ll find it is far more supple and frizz-free as possible. The same applies to Argan (which is also listed as Moroccan oil by some). Add a few drops to your palms and start working it in from the roots outward. A little goes a very long way. Do the same as you might with coconut oil, and you’ll see amazing results. Almond oil works just as well as the other oils above.

Butters – Raw Shea butter is a wonderful secret for more manageable, healthier thick hair. It can be applied as a mask (see how to use the oils above) or you can use it to style the hair by rubbing some between the palms and working it through your hair with your fingers.

Spray-on products – You are like everyone else and may find it necessary to blow dry your hair on a regular basis. If that is the case, you need to be prepared for the outcome – frizz. However, you can use any of the new thermal protective sprays to lock in moisture and protect your hair from becoming drier than usual and even drying faster than it normally does when a blow dryer is put to work. Additionally, you may want to style your hair but find that gels and even mousses just weigh down your heavier and thicker hair even more. That is when a spray gel is the way to go for a lighter, more textured look, and it won’t dry out the hair strands any further.

Serums – Similar to hair oils, these are products that are usually a blend of ingredients meant to provide specific results. For example, there are heat protecting serums and shine serums that can help with unruly, thick hair.

Once you have your product game locked down, it is time to consider the tools you use (or don’t) to ensure your thick hair behaves itself.

Related: Folic Acid Benefits: A Vital Nutrient for Optimal Health

The Best Tools to Tame Thick Hair Problems

Did you know that getting your thick hair under control starts with what you do as you sleep? It does! And below are some tools that you must use if you are tired of struggling with outrageous bed head, terrible knots, and frizzy flyaways in your thick hair.

Silk turbans – Look like a glamourous movie star from the 1930s every night, and never deal with tangled mess head in the morning again. Not only does natural silk keep your hair from tangling, it actually prevents cotton sheets from drying it out!

Drying brushes – There are a few brushes that use both bristles and microfiber strands to allow you to dry and style wet hair better than ever. There are also wet brushes that detangle without harming wet hair.

Ceramic hairdryer – As one expert noted about this option, “The technology is designed to substantially reduce the time spent drying the hair. Less time drying means less damage to the hair cuticle. My hairdryer dries my three-feet-long hair in about six minutes every single time, no exaggeration.”

Try air drying – Another expert says that perfecting the air-drying method is a great way to tame thick hair, and a good approach is to “brush your hair in the shower rather than afterwards… brush it when the conditioner is on to help distribute its goodness. Once out of the shower, avoid vigorously rubbing your hair with a towel and use a head-wrap towel,” or t-shirt. Then smooth in a moisturizing serum or product and leave it in the towel for 15 minutes before styling.

Be boar-ing – Rather than using standard brushes with metal bristles, the experts say that it is boar bristles that will do the trick. They help spread out natural oils and stop the frizz while massaging the scalp.

Detangle with a wide-toothed comb – Don’t comb out the tangles with a standard comb, but instead opt for a much wider-toothed option or one of the other brushes already mentioned.

Think of heat as your enemy – Don’t crank up the heat on flat irons or styling tools. If you insist on using them, never go above the 380-degree mark and ALWAYS use a heat protectant on the hair.

Skip chemical straightening – It might seem easier to just get thick hair straightened using a powerful method like chemicals, but that only makes it worse and can over process and ruin hair.

And in addition to knowing which products might help and which tools are the right choice, remember that there are good styles and cuts to help manage even the most unmanageable hair. Take the following thick hair tips to learn the best styles.

Related: Hair Brushes – Tips for Choosing the Best Brush for Your Locks

The Best Styles to Tame Thick Hair Problems

How do you make thick hair look thinner? How can you make it a bit flatter without heat treatments? How do you get some of the weight out?

There are a few simple and smart thick hair tips that can really help you, and several of them may even be the only methods you opt to use because they are so effective!

Undercuts – A lot of people are afraid of this rather bold style, but it can be quite attractive and appealing if done by the right stylist. An undercut is exactly as it sounds, a way to remove hair from the lowest part of the head (around the nape of the neck) and literally allow the hair above to lay a bit flatter and smoother.

Get a stylist who uses shears – Your hair stylist is your biggest ally in the war on thick hair and if they know how to properly use thinning shears and/or a razor to make layers, they can really help reduce frizz and layer your hair in a way that cuts down on its heaviness and thickness

Think layers – Layering thick hair is a great way to get it under control, cut down on weight and up your ability to style it. Medium length cuts are often heavily layered cuts and even bobs. Talk with a stylist about the right look for the shape of your face, but be willing to consider multiple lengths and layers to finally get those tresses under control!

Consider the half-up do – This is a great way to reduce the actual volume of hair you deal with and just has you make a bun out of the upper portion of hair, leaving the full hair below free to hang loose and enjoy a bit of the spotlight.

Should someone with thick hair get a shorter cut? If it suits your face, why not? The goal is to speak with your stylist about your hair’s specific needs – products, tools, and cut. Create a solution that uses all three elements and sooner than you think possible you’ll fall in love with your thick and even unruly hair! We hope you found these thick hair tips useful.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Summer Hair Troubles

More Great Resources on Thick Hair Tips:

10 Best Ways to Keep Thick Hair Healthy

5 MISTAKES PEOPLE WITH THICK HAIR ALWAYS MAKE

How to Make Thick Hair Look Thinner