Why Frizz Happens in the hair (and What Science Is Teaching Us About It)

Lina Zolock
Sep 22
3 min read

Updated: Oct 14

Frizz has a way of showing up uninvited. A little rain, a humid office, even a brisk walk outside—and suddenly, strands seem to have a life of their own. While it can feel personal, frizz is really about physics and biology at play on your head.

The Science of Frizz

At its core, frizz is a battle between moisture in the air and the structure of your hair.

Porosity matters: Hair with more gaps or damage (from heat styling, coloring, or even brushing) absorbs moisture unevenly. This makes strands swell in unpredictable ways.
Hydrogen bonds: These invisible links inside the hair fiber rearrange when exposed to water. When the bonds reset, so does the texture—and that’s why a perfectly smooth blowout can unravel in minutes.
Genetics and curl pattern: Curls and waves naturally have more bends, making them more vulnerable to outside moisture sneaking in.

In short: frizz isn’t “bad hair.” It’s hair responding (intelligently, actually) to its environment.

Why Most Quick Fixes Don’t Last

Serums, oils, and creams promise smoothness, but often just coat the surface. While they can help, they don’t address the inner architecture of hair. That’s why results fade after a few hours or a single shampoo.

Heat styling, meanwhile, forces hair into temporary shape but can also make the cuticle more fragile—ironically, leading to more frizz long-term.

The Rise of Protein-Based Solutions

Here’s where modern hair science is evolving. Researchers and stylists are turning to amino acids and proteins—the very building blocks of hair—to create treatments that strengthen and reshape from within.

Instead of locking hair into one rigid style, these newer methods aim to:

Rebuild weak points in the strand.
Improve resilience against humidity.
Maintain flexibility (so hair still moves naturally).

This shift reflects a broader change in beauty: away from harsh chemicals and quick fixes, toward approaches that respect both health and environment.

A Gentle Example: Pura Luxe

One such protein-based innovation is Pura Luxe, a smoothing treatment designed without formaldehyde (the chemical often linked to health concerns in older straightening systems). By working with six different amino acids, it adjusts hair texture while keeping it healthier and more touchable.

Think of it less as “forcing hair straight” and more as teaching it to behave differently—like giving your strands a calm conversation instead of a strict lecture.

The Bigger Picture

Frizz, then, isn’t just an annoyance. It’s a reminder of how dynamic our hair is—constantly shifting in response to environment, chemistry, and care. Understanding it means we can make smarter choices, whether that’s in daily routines, product selection, or long-term treatments.

The real solution to frizz isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about finding a balance: hair that feels manageable, healthy, and aligned with how you want to show up in the world.

Why We Care

At Expressions Hair Studio, we’re proud to be one of only eight certified salons in all of New England offering this advanced treatment—and we’ve been perfecting it for more than five years. Clients drive miles and miles to see us, trusting not just the results, but also the care, knowledge, and commitment that go into every service we provide.