Got an unmanageable mop on your head? After the ‘curly girl hair routine’ made women all over the world fall back in love with their natural coils, we rounded up advice for men, too
By Pooja Prabbhan Srijith
Remember Nick Jonas’ trademark curls before he settled for a shorter cut? Or Justin Timberlake from when he made hearts flutter with his curly blonds during the N’Sync days? Back home, too, actors like Hrithik Roshan, Siddhanth Chaturvedi, Jim Sarbh, Aditya Roy Kapur, and Ishaan Khatter have proven that men can rock curly hair, if they really want to. And if you are one of them, then this guide is your handbook for avoiding frizz through the hot summers and humid monsoons.
WHAT CAUSES FRIZZ?
“When it’s hot and humid, the excess moisture in the air causes your hair cuticles to open up, absorb moisture and swell, which leads to hair bending irregularly and becoming frizzy,” says Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta, aesthetic physician and founder of ISAAC Luxe (International Skin & Anti-Aging Centre). When washing your hair, concentrate on cleaning primarily the scalp, rather than washing the entire length . The warm water helps open up the hair cuticles and allows the products to penetrate better.
Take a small amount of sulphate-free shampoo and rub it between your palms to create a lather and apply on the scalp. Once you’ve thoroughly rinsed out the shampoo, squeeze out excess water from your hair using your hands. Also bear in mind that overbrushing can cause breakage, making your hair more brittle and frizzy, so you best use a wide-toothed comb when detangling the strands. “That way, the ringlets will be intact, and the moisture will keep the frizz at bay,” she adds.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT PRODUCTS
While it’s common to get overwhelmed by a sea of curly-hair fixes in the market today, a checklist can help you navigate it better. Don’t forget to add leave-in conditioners to your haircare arsenal. “The best thing to do is to use a mild, glycerin-based shampoo and conditioner. Glycerin is a humectant, and it will attract water from the moisture, and will try to seal it in the hair,” suggests Dr Soma Sarkar, celebrity cosmetic dermatologist. “Choose a ceramide-based leave on conditioner, but ensure it’s not very heavy so that it doesn’t make your hair limp again, as we just want the frizz to settle. Take a dollop of cream and apply it on all the strands while scrunching with your fingers. This will make sure that the cream reaches every part of your hair and gives them more definition and volume,” she adds.Looking for specific ingredients on the products’ label is another way to get it right with choosing products. “Get yourself a sulphate and paraben free shampoo,” Dr Gupta says. “Moreover, there are certain ingredients that work wonderfully on curly hair — aloe vera, apple cider vinegar, flax seed extracts, and argan orcoconut oil. Keep an eye out for these.” For those on the lookout for a quick-fix no-wash days, she suggests carrying a serum spray. “On days when your hair looks like a frizz-ball and you got no time for a wash, simply dampen your hair with the help of a spray bottle and follow it up with some hair serum. This will not only protect your hair from the harmful pollutants but also add shine to your tresses.”Lastly, if there’s one fail-safe conditioning tip that works for frizzycurly hair types across the spectrum, it has got to be this: “While using conditioners is a mandate, let’s not forget that excess of it can make hair look limp, so they only should be used on the mid-length to the hair ends and not on the scalp as it can make the scalp greasy. Gently work the conditioner through your hair using your fingers or a wide-toothed comb. This helps distribute the product evenly and detangles your hair. Leave it for one to three minutes. Rinse your hair thoroughly with cool water to seal the cuticles. Cool water helps retain moisture in your hair, reducing frizz,” concludes Dr. Surbhi Sharma, consultant, Kaya Skin Clinic.
Reproduced with permission from Mansworldindia.com
