If you're tired of limp waves and bad hair days, as we are, you'd understand why we are particular about wavy hair care. Most of us have been there, and we, in part, understand how challenging keeping wavy hair can be. In the UAE's hot climate, it doesn't get easier. You'd have to be a pro at frizz-fighting to scale through many days.
Frizz doesn't get better in winter either. Humidity worsens scalp sweat and triggers dandruff, and irritates the scalp. At times, tap water in the Gulf is hard, containing high mineral content, which builds up on the scalp and makes hair dull and lifeless. Frizz is usually the common enemy between heat and desert, and even in bursts of humid air.
Why Is Frizz a Major Hair Problem in Gulf Regions?
The weather isn't entirely the same everywhere in the Gulf, but these things characterise the Gulf, especially in the UAE.
Extreme Heat
On some days, the temperature can be as high as 40°C. This heat that exudes can strip wavy hair of moisture and natural sebum and dry out waves. In response, dry strands will lift up to get moisture from the air, but this results in frizz and flyaways.
Humid Air
It's not only because it is humid that frizz happens. When humid air meets wavy hair, it causes the hair to become puffy. This is because wavy hair is porous and absorbs water quickly as it loses it. As a result, the wave pattern and definition are disrupted.
UV Radiation
You'll find that a coping mechanism in the UAE is covering hair with scarves and caps. This isn't just a beauty lifestyle; it's protective. Exposing your hair often to sunlight can weaken the protein structure of your hair, leaving you with damaged, brittle, and rough-textured hair.
Hard Water
Calcium and magnesium are often found in the UAE's tap water. When these minerals get deposited on the hair shaft, they can build up and trigger frizz and tangling in wavy hair.
What's Unique About Wavy Hair?
Wavy hair is referred to as type 2 hair. It is between straight and curly, so if you notice that your hair is not straight yet lacks a curl pattern, then it's likely wavy. Wavy hair has high porosity. This means that it absorbs water quickly and loses it almost immediately, too. Living in the UAE can make your hair's porosity decrease, making frizz control a daily battle.
How to Fight Frizz in Wavy Hair
You can spend the entire day putting wavy hair in style, only to come out and have it ruined by frizz in minutes. Although fighting frizz can feel like an uphill battle, with the right daily routine with products, treatments, and techniques that work, you'll get past frizz.
Prioritise Deep Hydration
As you now know, frizzy hair is often caused by dryness in the UAE, and a regular conditioner wouldn't do. You'll need deep hydration from masks. A powerful deep conditioner mask like GK Hair's Deep Conditioner is for weather like the UAE and for hair textures like wavy hair.
Do a weekly deep conditioning treatment once or twice a week, and on other days, use your regular conditioner. You can count on GK Hair's Moisturising Conditioner for your daily dose of hydration. You don't want just any conditioner; you want those that contain argan oil and humectants like aloe vera.
Pro Tip: Use a leave-in conditioner after you have just washed. Also, apply the deep conditioner and go under a steamy shower to enable deep penetration of its ingredients.
Adopt Protective Drying Methods
If you are used to using a blow dryer, it's a whole new ball game now that you reside somewhere in the Gulf. First, switch that blow dryer for a qualified one. GK Hair's Blow Dryer has a nozzle that directs airflow from the tool down the hair shaft. Change your towels for microfibre ones or use an old cotton t-shirt instead.
Pro-Tip: Avoid rubbing your hair. Instead, plop or squeeze to remove excess water.
Try a Keratin Treatment
If frizz persists after a deep conditioner, then it's time you upscaled to a stronger, long-lasting solution. Keratin treatment is a protein treatment that helps replenish protein in your hair and repair hair if it's already damaged. Also, it forms a protective coating that helps against humidity.
After a keratin treatment, your hair becomes smoother, shinier, and more manageable. The good thing is, you can have a keratin treatment done at home and by yourself. GK Hair's The Best Hair Treatment follows just a few simple steps and gives the best results.
Eat Healthy
Hair health starts from within. If you're dehydrated, your hair is too. Drink enough water daily to maintain hydration. Also, consume foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like walnuts.
Use Sulphate-Free Shampoos
Sulphates in shampoos are a no-no. They can dry out your hair and make it soak up moisture in humid air. Not only sulphates, but also harsh chemicals generally. So, watch out for parabens and alcohol-based products and avoid them.
Some shampoos aren't colour-safe. They can bleach out your temporary colour; this is why we recommend GK Hair's Moisturising Shampoo for all hair types and conditions.
Use Nighttime Protection
Be sure to protect yourself during sleep. Use satin or silk fabric pillowcases. You can also apply a leave-in conditioner cream before bedtime. Use the “praying hand” method to smooth out the product along each strand.
Choose Protective Styles
Protective styles aren't only those that don't pull, shed, or break your hair. They also include those that won't require the use of hot tools like dryers, rollers, straighteners, etc. If these tools are needed at all, ensure they are kept at very low heat. This is because these tools can damage hair when used regularly.
As an added advantage, use a heat protectant while using hot tools. This is where a good one like GK Hair's ThermalStyleHer Cream comes in.
Final Thoughts
No matter what the UAE weather says, wavy hair can still thrive. All you need is a routine that offers protection, moisture, and frizz-free styling. You should also start paying attention to minor things that aren't so minor after all.
