How to Get Rid of Puffy Hair

Co-authored by Martin Nepton

Last Updated: January 5, 2021 References

Puffy, frizzy, untamed hair happens for many reasons. Sleeping on it wrong, going out in the rain, or playing with it too much during the day will give you wild hair. Luckily, there are some easy fixes to help you get rid of your unruly hair. Learn to instantly reduce frizz and how to help keep it at bay for an extended amount of time.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using Quick Fixes

1
Apply some oil to your hair. You can use a hair oil, argan oil, or coconut oil. Start with a pea-sized amount, and apply it to your hair using your fingers. Start at the ends and work your way towards the roots. This will help make your hair appear smoother.
- A little oil goes a long way, so adding too much can make your hair greasy. Be sure to start with a small amount. Remember, it's easier to add more if you need it than to shower and start your hair routine all over again.
2
Use an anti-frizz spray. This aerosol hair spray uses a very fine layer to lock your style where you want it. It helps reduce frizz, whereas non-aerosol spritzes reintroduce moisture to your hair. This moisture causes your hair to be susceptible to puffiness.^{[1]
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3
Wear a hat or scarf. Not only will wearing a hat or scarf help disguise the puffiness, but it will also protect your hair from getting damaged by the sun, wind, heat, and cold. Damaged hair often looks frizzy or puffy.
4
Consider wearing your hair in braids. Not only can they be cute and fashionable, but they can be stylish. Try some regular braids, French braids, or fishtail braids.
5
Trim your hair. If you’re noticing that your hair is repeatedly frizzy, there’s a chance that your split ends are getting bad. Make sure that you get the right haircut, however. Blunt haircuts tend to bring out frizz. Layers tend to conceal them (and split-ends).^{[2]
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- Avoid getting too many short layers, especially towards the top of your head. This can cause your hair to poof up.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Making and Using Hair Masks

1
Try an apple cider vinegar rinse. This is a great fix for puffy hair, plus it adds shine. Mix two tablespoons of vinegar with ½ a cup (120 milliliters) of water in a cup. Pour this over your hair after you shampoo. Leave it for up to 10 minutes, then rinse it out with cool water. Condition your hair as you normally would after this.
- This rinse not only helps fix puffy and frizzy hair, it's also a great scalp cleanser and clarifying treatment.
2
Make a mask using avocado and olive oil. Cut an avocado in half and scoop the meat out into a bowl. Add one to two tablespoons of olive or coconut oil, and mash everything with a fork until you get a gooey paste. Apply the mask to damp, freshly-shampooed hair. Pull your hair up into a loose bun and tuck it under a shower cap; this will keep the mask from drying out. Leave it for 30 minutes, then take the shower cap off and rinse the mask out.
3
Make a pumpkin and honey hair mask. Combine one tablespoon of honey with one cup (225 grams) of pumpkin puree in a small bowl. Apply the mask to damp, freshly-shampooed hair. Pull your hair up into a loose bun and cover it with a shower cap; this will help trap the heat and moisture. After 15 minutes, take the shower cap and rinse your hair.^{[3]
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- Pumpkin is rich in vitamins, which help replenish your hair and keep it healthy. Honey is a natural humectant, which means that it hydrates your hair.
4
Use a banana hair mask. Combine one peeled banana with two tablespoons of olive oil and one tablespoon of honey in a blender. Pulse until you get a smooth paste. Apply the mask to damp hair. Tuck your hair up under a shower cap and wait 20 to 30 minutes, then remove the shower cap and rinse the mask out. Shampoo and condition your hair as usual.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Knowing How to Care for Your Hair

1
Wash your hair twice a week using lukewarm water. When you wash your hair too often, you strip your hair of its natural oils. This causes your hair to dry out and become frizzy.^{[4]
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Research source} Avoid using hot water while washing your hair, as this can damage it and cause it to become puffy.
- If you notice the roots of your hair getting too greasy, shake a dry shampoo or baby powder onto your scalp. Let it sit for five minutes, then run your fingers through your hair to disperse the white powder.
- Dry shampoo is a great tool for keeping your hair fresh between washes, but it can't completely replace regular washing. If you notice that your dry shampoo is getting cakey or is otherwise ineffective, it may be time to wash.
2
Use the right shampoo and conditioner. Try to find something that is made for curly or dry hair. Look for labels that say: smoothing, moisturizing, hydrating, or dry & damaged. When using conditioner, leave it in your hair for two to three minutes; this will allow your hair to absorb the nutrients in the conditioner.
- Consider using a protein-infused conditioner. This kind of deep conditioner helps repair dry, damaged hair. It also protects it from humidity, which can cause puffiness.^{[5]
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3
Comb your hair using a wide-tooth comb. Comb your hair in small sections, starting from the ends first, then working your way towards the roots. Never comb your hair straight down, as this can cause the strands to stretch and snap. The best time to do this is while your hair is still damp and covered in conditioner. The conditioner will lubricate the comb and help it glide between the strands easier.^{[6]
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- If you need to detangle your hair while it is dry, do not use a brush. Use your fingers or a wide-toothed comb. Brushing dry hair with a hairbrush leads to frizz and puff.
- If you must use a hairbrush, try to use one made with soft, natural bristles. These will be less likely to snag your hair. The natural bristled brush will also polish your hair and smooth the ends.^{[7]
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4
Rinse your hair with cool water. Right before you step out of the shower, rinse your hair with cool water. This will help seal the cuticle shut and make your hair shinier.^{[8]
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5
Apply your frizz-control product to your hair while it's wet. This is a great way to add texture but keep your hair natural. Apply it right after you wash and condition your hair, starting at the tips and working your way towards the roots. Styling creams and mousse help hold the natural curl shape of your hair; curly hair becomes puffy when it loses its shape.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Martin Nepton
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 17 November 2020.}
6
Use a soft, microfiber towel or old t-shirt to blot your hair dry. Gently wrap your hair with the towel or t-shirt, and squeeze it so that the fabric can soak up the excess moisture. If you want, you can wrap the towel around your hair in a loose turban.
- Avoid rubbing your hair with a towel. The towel fibers will snag your hair and damage it.
7
Consider letting your hair air dry. This is the most natural and gentlest method. It also won't disrupt the natural curl pattern of your hair. Your hair becomes puffy and frizzy when you disrupt the curl pattern. If you must use a hairdryer, be sure to spray your hair down with a heat protecting spray, and to use a low or medium heat setting.
8
Try sleeping on a silk pillowcase. Coarsely-woven pillowcases can snag your hair, causing it to frizz the next morning. Cotton fabrics also tend to soak up moisture; this can also lead to dry, puffy hair.
- If you don't have a silk pillowcase available, you can cover your hair with a silk scarf instead.
9
Try using a deep conditioning hair mask in your hair. You can use these masks once or twice a month. If your hair is exceptionally dry and puffy, use the mask once a week. Apply the deep conditioning hair mask to your hair while it is still damp. Tuck your hair up into a loose bun, and put on a shower cap. Leave the mask on for the time recommended on the label (usually around 20 minutes), then take the shower cap off and rinse the mask off.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Knowing what to Avoid

1
Stay away from blow drying and towel drying. Instead, squeeze out the excess water from your hair, and blot it using a soft towel. Do not rub your hair with the towel. This will cause the fibers to snag on your hair and cause it to rip and tear.^{[10]
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Research source} Also, try to avoid blow drying your hair. Hairdryers are often too hot for curly hair.
- If you must use a hairdryer, be sure to spray your hair down with a heat protecting spray first. Wait until your hair is about 75% dry before you start to blow dry it. Be sure to use a low or medium heat setting on your hairdryer.
- Consider letting your hair air dry. This is the most natural and gentlest method. It also won't disrupt the natural curl pattern of your hair. Your hair becomes puffy and frizzy when you disrupt the curl pattern.
2
Tone down the heat styling. Flat irons and curling irons can be very damaging to any hair type. Try to save these tools for special occasions. When you do use a flat iron or a curling iron, first spray your hair down with a heat protecting spray. Be sure to use a lower heat setting on your tool; it may take longer to get the style you want, but it will be gentler on your hair.
3
Avoid using anything with sulfates, parabens, and silicones. Parabens have been linked to cancer, which is not something you'd want to put into your hair. Silicones, while great at making hair smooth and shiny, can only be removed by sulfates. Sulfates are harsh, cleaning agents found in many household detergents; they can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it brittle and dry.
- You don't want to leave those silicones in your hair either. This can lead to buildup, which can make your hair appear limp and dull.
- You may also want to avoid products that contain alcohol, especially towards the top of the ingredient list. Alcohol is very drying on hair, which can cause puffiness and even breakage.
4
Do not brush your hair while it is dry. If you get any tangles, try using your fingers or a wide-toothed comb to smooth them out. The more you mess with your hair, the more frizzy it will become.
5
Avoid touching or playing with your hair when it is dry. It can be tempting, especially if your hair is curly. Unfortunately, the more you touch your hair, the more you muss the strands and cuticles. This causes your hair to puff up and frizz.

Expert Q&A
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Question

My hair is puffy but the roots get very oily if I don't wash at least every two days. How can I avoid oily and puffy hair?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

You can wash your hair every two days, but aiming for washing it twice a week would be better. Washing it too often will strip your hair if its natural oils. Consider using a sulfate-free clarifying shampoo once a week to remove oil from your hair, or even do an apple cider vinegar rinse. To tame the puffiness, apply oil when your hair is dry, or a styling product such as mousse when your hair is wet.
Question

Why is the front part of my hair straight but in the back, it's all puffy and frizzy?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

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You may have two different hair textures. However, you can tame the back by gently drying it after shampooing your hair, applying a styling cream to your hair will it’s damp, and style your hair while it’s damp to set the style. You could do a variety of braided styles or a sleek bun.
Question

How can I tame my frizzy hair?

Martin Nepton
Professional Hair Stylist
Martin Nepton is a Professional Hair Stylist and Colorist at Bang Bang LA in Los Angeles, California. With over 11 years of experience, Martin specializes in helping clients express their Queer identity through hair. Martin offers personalized haircuts and color and style services with non-gender prices based on hair length. Martin holds a BA from the University of Québec at Montréal and is a Licensed Hair Stylist in California.

Martin Nepton

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

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Use a product that will add moisture into your hair, especially if you have curls. First shampoo and condition, then towel dry your hair and add something like a serum or curling cream.