Why Is My Hair Poofy After I Straighten It? | 3 Reasons

You’ve spent all that time straightening your gorgeous locks just to have your hair come out all fluffy instead of sleek. If this is you, you may wonder, “why is my hair poofy after I straighten it?” Don’t worry — we have the answers. Read on to learn more.

Why Is My Hair Poofy After I Straighten It?

You may struggle with poofy hair after straightening it for several reasons. Poofy hair is mainly due to hair being dry or damaged and lacking moisture. You can combat this by adding moisture to your flocks and keeping your hair healthy.

Your hair type will also determine the proper straightener you should use to avoid getting poofy hair. For example, straighteners with ceramic plates are better at evenly distributing the heat.

This makes them more gentle and ideal for hair that is thin, damaged, or even color treated. However, those with thick or coarse hair may benefit from the higher heat and smoother results provided with a titanium-plated straightener.

Troubleshooting Poofy Hair

The following are some of the most common reasons why your hair is poofy after you straighten it. 

1. Dry or Damaged

If your hair is already damaged or dry, adding excess heat will not help matters at all. When you straighten your hair, you’re using hot tools that can remove the moisture from your hair, causing excess frizz and even more damage than is already present. 

It can be helpful to add moisture through conditioner or other moisturizing products. In addition, you can prevent damage from the heat by using heat protectant products and ensuring you’re not using too high of a temperature on your straightener. 

2. Thin or Fine Hair

If you have thin or fine hair, try not to go higher than 375 degrees and no more than 450 degrees for coarse or thick hair. Regardless of temperature, using a heat protectant on your hair is vital to help prevent heat damage. 

3. Wrong Products

The other issue could be that you’re using the wrong products on your hair. Ensure you use quality moisturizing products containing healthy ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, or avocado oil.

These can bring the needed nourishment and moisture to your locks. Using the right products is just as important as using the right tools for the job.

Read Next: Take Our “What Hair Products Should I Use” Quiz!

How to Keep Straightened Hair From Frizzing With Humidity

Everyone is prone to the effects of humidity, but some hair types are more prone than others. For example, if you have dry or damaged hair, you may be more inclined to frizziness with the humidity.

Those with curly or fine hair may also share the same struggles. If you’re struggling with the frizz, you can do a few things to help:

• Use good, moisturizing shampoo and conditioner
• Use a good hair mask to restore moisture to your hair
• Use a leave-in conditioner
• Use a heat protectant before using heat styling tools
• Let your hair air dry
• Use a microfiber towel or t-shirt after washing your hair

Try out each option until you find the best option for your hair and preferred styles. 

Home Remedies for Frizzy Hair

We have your back if you’re looking for home remedies to help your frizzy hair! The biggest thing to help combat frizzy hair is restoring moisture. Frizz is usually caused by the hair being either dry or damaged. Either way, homemade masks can help lower the amount of frizz.

You can create homemade masks with products you may already have in your refrigerator or cupboards. You’ll want to let the mask sit on your clean hair for approximately 30-45 minutes for the best results! 

You can add products to your masks, such as:

• Vitamin E
• Coconut oil
• Apple cider vinegar
• Avocado
• Egg
• Bananas
• Olive oil
• Yogurt
• Honey
• Aloe vera
• Almond oil

Some of these products work better on specific hair types than others — test and research different remedies to determine which is best for reducing frizziness in your hair.

For example, for thick, curly, or naturally oily hair, using coconut oil as a mask before showering can be highly beneficial in lubricating your hair and preventing any breakage. However, coconut oil can be very heavy on thin hair and difficult to remove, even after shampooing. 

Frequently Asked Questions

The following are a few of the most commonly asked questions regarding why your hair is poofy after you straighten it.

Why won’t my hair stay straight?

You may not use high enough heat. You don’t want to use so much heat that you cause damage, but you want to use enough to make the effects last. If only your ends aren’t staying straight, it could mean that you need a trim.

Having dry, split ends can make it harder to style and harder for that style to hold. Using too much of a product can cause your straight hair not to last as long. Many products have water in them, and too much water can ruin your style. 

What happens if you straighten wet hair?

When you straighten wet or damp hair, you are essentially boiling your hair from the inside out and it heats up much more quickly. Excess heat on damp or wet hair will damage your hair and cause extreme frizziness.

To avoid further damage, you should dry your hair before straightening. Using a blow dryer first is better because it distributes heat from a further distance.

Once your hair is mostly dry, you can straighten it with less chance of damage and poof. Remember to use a hair protectant before using any heat tools to style your hair.

Is a steam straightener better for my hair?

Steam straighteners are considered better for your hair because they cause less damage. Instead of stripping your hair of its moisture through the excess heat, the steam straightener can actually replace some of the moisture, causing less damage to your hair.

It also leaves the hair more sleek, shiny, and soft. This tool is recommended especially for those with thick, coarse, or curly hair, although it can be a benefit to most. However, it does tend to be pricier than a standard straightener and requires filtered water, which can be an extra hassle to refill.

Read Next: Our 7 Picks for the Best Hair Steamers in 2024

Is it better to straighten clean or dirty hair?

It is best to use heated tools on clean hair. Dirty hair has more oil or product throughout it, and when that gets heated by the straightener, it can cause the hair to smell. However, the natural oils from your hair can provide some protection from the heat. 

How often should you straighten your hair?

You can straighten your hair twice a week without leading to irreversible damage if you follow the proper cleaning and drying procedures and use helpful heat-protecting products. However, straightening your hair more than that will make your hair more susceptible to damage. 

So, Why Is My Hair Poofy After I Straighten It?

If your hair is poofy after you straighten it, chances are your hair is dry or damaged. You can help ward off the puffiness by adding moisture to your hair through conditioning treatments or other moisturizing products. 

It’s also a good idea to keep up with your regular hair trims and use a heat protectant before using any heat tools on your hair. Follow the tips we’ve outlined above and you’ll be golden.