Frizz, Flyaways, Flat Roots? Our Expert Has Answers
August 20 | 5 minute read
Words by Christie Sinclair
Yes, these all play a part. But it’s equally important to know exactly how to work with what you’ve got. Which may very well be a perpetually flaky scalp, hair so fine it won’t hold any style, or a very real addiction to heat tools.
“Our hair is so unique to us and it takes time to learn what our hair needs and what works best for our haircare and styling routine,” says Sangeetha, MECCA’s hair education expert, who we’ve called upon to help untangle your biggest hair concerns. “Many of our most common hair concerns come from having damaged hair so maintaining and protecting it is going to go a long way for everyone, no matter their hair type,” she says.
Here, Sangeetha answers our most asked questions (we’re looking at you, frizz and excess shedding) and shares the easy fixes that make all the difference. Glossy, healthy, happy hair, ahead!
Hair Concern: Frizz & Flyaways
“When we experience frizz, some of our strands will form a different pattern from the rest of our hair, causing misalignment… if your hair is naturally porous or you have damaged hair, you’re more likely to experience frizz,” explains Sangeetha.
While Sangeetha encourages embracing the added volume, there are steps for smoothing. “The first step is protecting that cuticle layer from friction and damage,” she says, recommending silk scrunchies and pillowcases like those from Slip, plus microfibre towels such as Crown Affair’s The Towel. She also advises shielding hair from UV and heat with lightweight sprays like Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Primer or Naked Sundays UV Hair Protectant Mist.
To replenish moisture and fight humidity, she suggests smoothing formulas like Briogeo’s Farewell Frizz collection, Gisou's Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hair Mask or Living Proof's No Frizz Vanishing Oil.
Hair Concern: Dryness & Damage
“Dry and damaged hair can look deceptively similar, both can look rough, brittle and dull,” she warns. “To spot damaged hair, look for split ends that tangle easily and uneven lengths caused by breakage.”
The best way to combat damaged hair is through prevention: minimise heat, chemical services, tying hair and UV exposure. For care, Sangeetha recommends gentle co-washes like ARKIVE's All Together Now Co Cleanse to protect moisture between washes, plus hydrating and reparative treatments. “A good balance of protein and bond-building, and moisture treatments will help to fill the weakened points in the hair shaft,” she says. Try Briogeo's Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask or LolaVie's Intense Repair Treatment.
Hair Concern: Excess Thinning & Shedding
“We shed around 50-150 hairs a day with new strands growing in their place,” but it’s a normal part of the hair cycle assures Sangeetha, noting it can be linked to genetics, hormonal changes, ageing or even stress and nutrition deficiencies. “You might be experiencing hair loss if you’ve noticed a change in the amount of hair you’re losing or your scalp is more visible than usual.”
While medical advice (from a dermatologist or trichologist) is key for underlying concerns, Sangeetha notes that scalp health and a good scalp care routine is essential. She recommends fortifying formulas like the Kérastase Genesis Anti Hair-Fall Fortifying Serum or the Act + Acre Cold Processed® Stem Cell Scalp Serum, which work to strengthen the scalp environment, protect follicles and provide the optimum environment for hair follicle health.
Hair Concern: Scalp Issues (Flakes, Itchiness, Oiliness)
“The ‘skinification’ of hair has opened up the conversation about the importance of scalp health and the direct impact it has on our hair,” says Sangeetha, adding, “We’re seeing more products and brands like Ceremonia’s hero Aceite de Moska, a heritage scalp remedy or trichologist-founded Act + Acre, all with incredible active formulations and scalp health at their heart.”
Signs of a scalp imbalance include dryness, itching, excess oil or unexpected shedding. “The routine for most scalp concerns looks very similar,” she says. “It’s really about maintaining a healthy scalp through cleansing, exfoliating and treating with hydration or targeted serums.” Try Ceremonia’s Aceite de Moska and Act + Acre’s targeted treatments, paired with scalp massage tools like Briogeo’s Massager. This can help blood circulation, promote hair growth and thickness and has the added benefit of releasing tension.
And while our scalp routine is essential in supporting a healthy scalp, Sangeetha says if you’re experiencing concerns like persistent dandruff or hair loss, it’s important to consult a dermatologist or trichologist for medical advice.
Hair Concern: Greasy Roots & Lack of Volume
“Oil at the scalp, also known as sebum, is not only normal, it’s essential for protecting and maintaining the health of our scalp and hair,” explains Sangeetha. It’s excess oil that can be a problem, which usually occurs when sebaceous glands in the scalp are over-producing sebum. “Balance is key, and an under or over-production of sebum can lead to concerns like dryness, irritation and dandruff.”
Sangeetha adds: “People with fine, straight or low-porosity hair types can be more prone to excess oil. This oiliness can weigh hair down and make it feel flat.”
She recommends washing hair regularly with gentle, balancing shampoos such as ARKIVE’s All Day Extra Shampoo and Conditioner or the Kérastase Spécifique Balancing Shampoo for Oily Scalp, Dry Ends. To rebalance the scalp, try Act + Acre’s 4% Niacinamide Oily Scalp Serum. For ends that need extra nourishment, reach for hydrating masks like Hair by Sam McKnight's Bigger Love Treatment Mask. And to extend time between washes, Briogeo’s Scalp Revival Charcoal + Biotin Dry Shampoo or Living Proof’s Scalp Care Exfoliator will refresh and lift at the same time.
Hair Concern: Heat Styling & Breakage
“No, you don’t need to give up your favourite hot tools if you’re taking the right steps to prep and protect your hair,” says Sangeetha. “However, if you’re heat styling your hair, heat protection is a non-negotiable.”
How you apply said heat protectant is crucial, she explains. “Section hair and comb through for an even application. And if you’re touching up your style, always re-apply your heat protectant first. If you’re looking to hold your style for longer, opt for a heat protectant with added benefits.”
Her go-tos include Hair by Sam McKnight’s Save The Do Heat Protection Spray and ARKIVE's The Mastery Liquid Hairspray, for hold and heat protection at the same time.
She also points to Dyson’s Airwrap Coanda 2x, a new innovation that works at lower temperatures with multi-use attachments to style while cutting down overall heat exposure. “Hot tools like straighteners and curling tongs should only ever be used on dry hair and setting them to around 185 degrees is optimal – just enough heat to set hair so you don’t have to style the same section multiple times.”
Using a straighter? "Glide through at the same pace you would gently comb through hair, slow enough so you don’t have to pass through the hair multiple times and fast enough so you’re not leaving heat on the hair for too long,” Sangeetha explains, adding, “If you’re using a curler, hair shouldn’t be left on the heat for longer than 5-8 seconds.”
