Frizzy, puffy hair: why your hair swells and what to do
Frizzy, puffy hair: why your hair swells and what to do
Does your hair swell as soon as there's any humidity? Does your style quickly lose its definition and your lengths turn puffy or frizzy?
This is particularly common when the hair fibre is dry, porous or weakened. It affects straight hair as much as textured hair. If your hair is also rough or dehydrated, read how to get soft, supple hair again with our dry hair guide.
The right approach is to understand why your hair swells before piling on products.
Gentler habits every day
After washing, pat your hair dry rather than rubbing it. Detangle carefully and avoid repeated brushing on dry hair if it makes frizz worse. Limit heat and use suitable protection when styling with heated tools.
Heat, colouring, bleaching and friction can also weaken the fibre. Discover our tips for caring for damaged hair.
Finding the right balance
Apply your products to the lengths according to their needs, without overloading the roots. Adjust how much and how often you apply them based on how your hair feels and looks: the goal is to keep its natural movement, not to freeze it.
Why is my hair puffy?
Hair can become puffy when its fibre easily absorbs moisture from the environment.
A porous fibre can have more open cuticles and be more sensitive to changes in humidity.
The result: hair swells, becomes less manageable and frizz appears.
When the fibre is very weakened, hair can also become more brittle. Discover our tips for caring for brittle hair.
Why does my hair swell with humidity?
Humidity in the air can change the behaviour of a particularly porous or dehydrated hair fibre.
That's why some people notice an immediate difference between a dry day and a very humid one.
If your hair always swells in humid weather, it may be worth working on:
- hydration
- nourishment
- protecting the fibre
- your styling habits
Puffy hair: what to do?
1. Start with hydration
A dry fibre can be harder to tame.
Add hydrating products to your routine and avoid piling up damage.
2. Nourish your lengths
A hair oil can bring nourishment and suppleness to the lengths.
3. Protect your hair from excess humidity
When your hair is very sensitive to humidity, the finishing step becomes important.
A small amount of oil on the lengths can help visibly tame the hair and limit puffiness.
4. Avoid constantly touching your hair
The more you handle hair that has already swollen, the more likely you are to create new frizz.
How to get rid of frizz?
It's not necessarily about "removing" frizz for good.
The goal is rather to make the fibre more supple, better hydrated and better protected.
A simple routine could be:
Hydration → nourishment → gentle drying → finish
Puffy hair after washing
If your hair is particularly puffy after every wash, look at your routine as a whole.
Your shampoo, the way you dry your hair, detangling, heat and the amount of product you use can all influence the result.
In particular, avoid rubbing your hair aggressively with a towel.
High porosity and puffy hair
Porosity often comes up when talking about hair that swells and frizzes easily.
Maree has a dedicated article on high porosity that explains how humidity can increase puffiness and frizz:
Read the article on high porosity, frizz & puffy hair
Maree Hair Oil against puffiness
Maree Hair Oil can be used as a finisher on the lengths and ends.
The brand positions it as a light treatment designed to tame the fibre and bring shine and protection.
Discover the Organic Corsican Immortelle Hair Oil
FAQ – Frizzy, puffy hair
Why is my hair puffy?
Dryness, porosity, damage and humidity can all contribute to a puffy look.
Why does my hair swell when it rains?
Humidity can increase the swelling of a particularly porous or dehydrated fibre.
How can I avoid frizz?
Work on hydrating, nourishing and protecting the fibre, and limit unnecessary handling.
Which oil for puffy hair?
A light oil can be used as a finisher to nourish and tame the lengths.
Can dry hair be puffy?
Yes. Dryness and porosity can contribute to a puffy look and to frizz.