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Natural beach waves one day and a frizzy halo the next. Yep, you’ve got thick, wavy hair. The good news? People with naturally straight or naturally curly hair would die for your natural, casual waves. The bad news? Getting gorgeous, frizz-free, perfect waves can take time, effort, and the right hair care for thick wavy hair.

Wavy-haired people may struggle with finding the right wavy hair care solutions, especially those whose hair might be straighter in some places and curlier in others. Knowing how to style thick, wavy hair shouldn’t be limited to hours with a flat iron or the stress of the curly-girl method. A professional stylist from Therapy Hair Studio can help you find the best cut and style for your type of wavy hair and recommend the best wavy hair care products.

What Kind of Wavy Hair Do You Have?

Not all wavy, thick hair is the same. Knowing what type of wavy hair you have can help you determine what kind of products to use and the best way to make your hair super curly or stick-straight.

Wavy hair is professionally referred to as Type 2 hair. It grows in the shape of an S, and the degree of wavy hair you have depends on how tight or loose the S-shape is. Wavy hair is in a category between curly and straight.

Wavy Hair Subcategories

Type 2A: Fine, thin hair with individual strands that form into S-shapes when they dry. 2A wavy hair is easiest to straighten or curl, giving you plenty of options.

Type 2B: Wavy and more prone to frizziness than 2A wavy hair. When strands are dry, they form into an S-shape with some frizz.

Type 2C: This is the thickest, tightest wavy hair type. The S wave starts right at the scalp, and strands are thicker than other types of wavy hair. Strands are coarser than other types of wavy hair. The strands form an S shape when dry but are the most prone to frizz of all wavy types of hair.

How To Style Thick Wavy Hair

A 2C girl isn’t going to style her hair the same way a 2A girl does – unless both give up and wear a messy bun. Styling your thick, wavy hair can depend on your mood each day. One of the most popular ways to style this type of hair is in natural waves. You can finger-comb damp hair and put good anti-frizz products on it, then use your fingers to scrunch your hair into loose beach waves when you air dry.

Or consider putting half of your hair into a messy topknot, leaving the rest down in waves. Pull a few strands down to frame your face and add a romantic, delicate touch to the style. Braids are another popular style and can help keep your frizz in check on humid days or on days when your waves just won’t behave.

The Best Products for Thick Wavy Hair

Do you want the best shampoo for thick, wavy hair? What styling products for hair care for thick wavy hair can you use? Should I leave my hair in its natural wave pattern? Hair products such as shampoo and conditioners have specialized formulas for thick and wavy hair. Look for shampoos that are free from parabens and other waxy substances. If your hair is coarser, find a moisturizing shampoo that can hydrate your strands and reduce frizziness and flyaways. You should only shampoo about every third day to help your hair retain moisture.

Many wavy-haired people opt for straightening their locks with a flat iron, and here, too, picking the right products is essential. Look for ceramic plates on the flat iron, as this conducts heat with less damage to your hair. Also, search for a model with adjustable temperatures. Thin, finer hair requires less heat to straighten than thicker, coarser strands, so choose the appropriate heat setting for your type of hair. Don’t forget to apply heat-protecting treatment to your hair before using the flat iron. This prevents breakage and split ends while heat-styling. Leave-in conditioners and natural oils can be used to prevent hair loss and moisturize your hair.

Deep Conditioning Treatment for Thick, Wavy Hair

During wash days, sleeping with wet hair and scalp can lessen the condition of your hair. Use a microfiber towel to dry your hair to improve hair texture. Regular deep conditioning treatments can improve the overall condition of your hair, reducing frizziness and adding gloss and shine. Use a wide-tooth comb after to loosen your curls while reducing frizz. A salon treatment is specifically intended to give the right infusion of moisturizer to your hair without waxy build-up that can make your hair look dull and fall flat.

Book Your Wavy Hair Treatment Appointment Today

What hair care for thick wavy hair should you do? Cutting and styling wavy hair is different from trimming thin, straight hair or tight curls. The experienced stylists at Therapy Hair Studio are professionally trained to properly cut wavy hair, whether it’s thin and fine or coarse and thick. Call us today or reach us online to book your styling or deep conditioning treatment.

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Is hard water wrecking your hair? Water softeners in your home may not be enough to prevent breakage, dry hair, or discoloration of colored hair. If you live in an area with hard water, you’ve probably seen the damage its sediment does to your faucets and other plumbing fixtures, but just think – is all that gunk in your hair, too? Here’s a quick guide on hard water hair care solutions that you can use to fix your damaged hair.

If you’re frustrated with dry, damaged hair, your hard water could be to blame. Our hard water hair care solutions can help you tame the frizz and get the healthy, shiny hair you desire.

What Is Hard Water?

Hard water is water with high levels of minerals, like magnesium and calcium, and heavy metals. It leaves sediment in plumbing pipes and shower heads. The minerals and metals in hard water can react with the material of pipes and plumbing fixtures, damaging them.

Those minerals and metals also build up in your hair, even if you shampoo it daily or several times a week. If you have hard water, your hair probably is more damaged than it should be and may not respond to color or heat treatment as well as healthy hair would.

Does Hard Water Damage My Hair?

Yes, and the damage may be worse the higher the calcium level is.

Let’s get scientific: Hard water disrupts the skin barrier, including on the scalp. Calcium can affect the protective skin barrier, causing dehydration. Hard water may strip away the protective oils on the scalp, excessively drying your hair. You may see dandruff or dry, flaky skin on your head or itchy, irritated patches.

Not only does hard water dehydrate your hair and scalp, but it also leaves a film behind. If you color your hair, the minerals in hard water cause brassiness in blonde and yellow tones. The same result can occur if you use a relaxer or perm your hair. The minerals and heavy metals interfere with the chemical treatments.

The result? “Winter hair” all year round: dry flyaway strands, unmanageable frizz, and faded color.

What Are Signs of Hard Water Damage?

It’s tricky to tell what damage is caused by hard water and what may be caused by dry winter weather or over-treating your hair. Dry air and cold winter temperatures can make your scalp drier (and create unsightly flakes) and your hair frizzier.

The shampoo you use could affect your color, especially if you are not using products formulated for color-treated hair. Or, if you over-wash your hair or use heat styling excessively, you could dry the strands and your scalp.

A telltale sign of hard water damage to your hair is a film, like a feeling that your hair isn’t clean enough, even if you’ve just washed it. When the calcium in the water mixes with chemicals in shampoos, it creates this scummy film, and the shampoo can’t do its job. Calcium troubles don’t stop with shampoo. The filmy buildup prevents your conditioner from penetrating the hair shaft and smoothing the cuticles, so it’s less effective.

Protecting Your Hair from Hard Water

What kind of hair care for hard water can fix the frizz? A water softener or a special hard water filter for your showerhead can help. Using gentle shampoos that don’t strip away the moisture barrier of the scalp can reduce the effect of hard water and calcium. Look for hydrating hair products to help protect each strand from damaging calcium and magnesium.

An acidic rinse or purifying and clarifying shampoo can break up the scummy shampoo-hard water buildup. Look for products with a chelating agent or ingredient, which can remove mineral buildup and heavy metals from your hair and scalp. You can also rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar. But if you color your hair, especially blonde, ask your colorist first before putting vinegar on your ‘do.

Purifying shampoos and chelating shampoo rinse aids should only be used once per week, maybe less, if your stylist recommends that. These products lift the minerals from your hair but can leave it prone to dryness. Follow the purifying shampoo with a deep conditioner treatment or a hydrating hair masque to restore moisture.

Can a Professional Stylist Help with Hard Water Damage?

Yes! Many salons offer deep-conditioning treatments, which can help smooth the cuticles of your strands and invigorate your scalp so that it can produce more protective oils. Your stylist may have hard water hair care solutions for your hair type or shampoos and conditioners to use at home. They may also have tips for caring for your hair between shampoos, like heatless styling options that reduce damage to already-dry hair. Call the pros at Therapy Hair Studios today to schedule an appointment with a stylist.

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