November 6, 2022

Refreshing Troubleshooting – How to Get Rid of Frizz, Tangles, Oil & Sweat, Stringy Curls

Do you struggle with refreshing? It’s one of the hardest things to master when taking care of your curls. In this video, I’m sharing 7 of the most common problems people face when refreshing and solutions.

How do you know when to refresh?

It’s best to avoid refreshing as much as possible so you don’t cause hygral fatigue when the hair becomes damaged from repeated wetting and drying. I try and avoid refreshing on day 2 if possible, but I usually have to refresh by day 3 if I want my curls to look good. If I’m staying home, I will just leave it as is.

Everyone has a different natural moisture cycle, which is how long it takes for your hair to become dry. You can moisturize your hair by refreshing or re-washing it. If your scalp is dirty, oily, or has buildup, it’s time to wash.

As your hair gets healthier, it will hold onto moisture longer. The biggest change I noticed when transitioning from damaged hair is how much easier my refreshes became.

Also, putting more effort into your wash days by styling your hair will help it last longer, thus saving you time when refreshing.

Factors that determine how long your curls last

In my opinion, there are various factors that will determine the longevity of your style, with most of them being what you do on wash day. I created the chart below to show the importance of each factor.

Common Refreshing Problems & Solutions

Frizz

Lack of hold
If your gel doesn’t dry with a cast, or if it doesn’t re-activate with water when refreshing, then it’s not strong enough hold. In this video, I shared how I used a Maui Moisture gel on wash day that was very light hold, so I had to do more refreshing than usual.
Refreshing with a strong hold gel like Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Stronger Hold will tame frizz.
Sleeping on a regular cotton pillowcase
Regular cotton pillowcases cause friction, frizz, and breakage. Opt for silk such as the LILYSOFT Pillowcase. Silk is also better for your skin and will not dry out your hair.
Lack of moisture & dryness
If your curls were not properly moisturized on wash day, or you did not use a product like a gel to seal in moisture, it can evaporate quickly, especially if you have high-porosity hair. I recommend using a curl cream and a gel on wash day. You can also seal with an oil to really lock in moisture.
Lack of styling on wash day
Simply scrunching in some product on wash day may result in more frizz on next-day hair. Instead, take time to brush style or finger coil for longer-lasting curls.
Air drying and not diffusing
Did you know that air drying can result in more frizz compared to properly diffusing? Whenever I air dry, I have more frizz. Diffusing helps to “set” the gel cast right away so frizz doesn’t form throughout the day.

Sweat or oil

Sweat is not necessarily bad
If you just got a little sweaty around your hairline or underneath, you can refresh and use a scalp spray or foaming dry shampoo. Diffuse to dry the sweat so it’s not sitting on your hair for too long. If you got extremely sweaty or your scalp is also oily, it’s likely time to wash.
Oily scalp
Everyone’s scalps produce a different amount of oil and it can depend on genetics or hormones. If you have just a little bit of oil, try a scalp spray or a foaming dry shampoo. It may be time to wash once you notice more oil.

Tangles

Friction
Friction on your clothing, bag straps, furniture, car seat, and pillowcase cause tangles. Wear a silk bonnet like the LILYSILK Silk Sleep Cap Concise Style when sleeping for the best way to keep your curls tangle free, especially at the nape of the neck.
Watch this video for more tips for reducing tangles.
Gently separate knots when your refreshing with wet hands with a little leave-in or curl cream with slip. On wash day, use gels that have a slippery, thin formula and avoid thick sticky gels.

Stringy Curls

Not enough water when styling
Stringy curls are often a result of not using enough water when you’re styling or buildup on the hair. When refreshing, you can re-clump the curls by spritzing some water and scrunching with gel or use a brush to redefine curl clumps.
Over refreshing
Sometimes when you detangle too much on wash day, you can just separate the curl clumps resulting in frizzy, stringy curls. Instead of combing through all your hair, just focus on curl clumps that are tangled or need attention.

Stretched out Curls

Normal for waves
It’s common for looser curls and waves to fall after wash day. Using a strong hold gel on wash day can help them last longer.
Scrunching and diffusing when refreshing is the best way to shrink curls back up.
Sleeping in a silk bonnet is also ideal because it keeps the curls “plopped” on top of your head versus the pineapple method which can stretch out your curls
Putting hair up tight
If you do need to wear your hair up, use scrunchies like the LILYSILK Silk Hair Scrunchies, which won’t dent the hair too much and prevent breakage. Wrap the hair loosely and avoid coming through your hair when putting it up.

Sticky or Producty Feeling

Too heavy products on wash day
Using products that are too thick such as thick, clear gels can leave an unpleasant feeling in the hair on day 2. Opt for thin, liquidy gels for easier refreshes.
Using too much product
Applying too much product on wash day can leave a residue on the hair that’s more obvious on day 2.
Layering on too much product when refreshing
Avoid applying more product when refreshing, and if you do need to reapply, dilute the products with water in your palms.

Flat Roots or Lack of Volume

Normal for thin hair
If you have low-density hair like mine, it’s normal for the volume to fall by day 2. Use lightweight products on wash day and avoid re-applying too much when refreshing. Apply root clips after diffusing on wash day and on refresh days to lift the hair at the root. Diffusing is the best way to add volume when refreshing.
Too heavy products
Using products that contain thick butters and oils can weigh down the hair. Use lightweight creams and gels.
Oily scalp
If you naturally produce more oil, your volume is going to be reduced at the root. In this case, it’s time to wash or use a dry shampoo.

Which of these common problems do you struggle with the most when you refresh? Comment and let me know!

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