How to Keep Black Hair Straight in Humidity

Co-authored by Noël Reid-Killings and Glenn Carreau

Last Updated: November 27, 2024 Fact Checked

Keeping natural black hair straight in humid weather can be tricky, but it's entirely possible! You can do plenty of things to keep your hair straight, from using anti-frizz oils to easy nighttime rituals that'll prep your hair for the next day. If you're unsure where to start, don't worry: we've got all the information you need to rock straight hair no matter the weather.

1

Wash your hair with smoothing products.

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Prime your hair for straightening with anti-frizz shampoo and conditioner. In the shower, pour shampoo onto your hand and then massage your scalp with your fingertips, spreading the shampoo out to the ends of your hair.^{[1]
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Research source} Rinse your hair, then do the same with your conditioner before rinsing again.
- Choose products that will eliminate the frizz and provide protein to smooth out hair shafts.

2

Use an anti-frizz serum in your hair.

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Anti-frizz serums block moisture from getting to your hair. Moisture can cause your hair to frizz, so these products can be a huge help on humid days. Look for anti-frizz serums designed to work with straightened hair and apply your product after getting out of the shower with clean, damp hair.^{[2]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source} Each recommended serum below will keep your hair sleek and shiny all day.
- Garnier Whole Blends Smoothing Oil: This oil is ideal if the ends of your hair are dry, but your scalp tends to get greasy quickly. Because this smoothing serum absorbs into your hair, it leaves no trace of greasiness around your roots.
- Cantu Super Shine Hair Silk: This serum's lightweight formula will keep your hair smooth and strengthen it at the same, protecting it from split ends.
- Nubi Anti-Frizz Hair Serum: If you have a dry or itchy scalp, this serum will moisturize your head as well as your hair—ensuring both remain healthy.

3

Apply a heat protectant before using any heat tools.

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Heat protectants shield your hair from damage. When you're about to use a heat tool, spray the protectant evenly over your whole head of hair first.^{[3]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source} Excess moisture isn’t the only thing that causes frizz—overly dry and damaged hair is less likely to stay straight, too. That’s why heat protectants are so important!
- CHI 44 Iron Guard: This protective spray is lightweight; it can protect any type of hair from damage without making the hair greasy and heavy.
- Joico Thermal Protection Crème: This product helps control frizz and shields your hair from temperatures up to 450 °F (232 °C) all at once.
- TRESemmé Thermal Creations Protective Spray: This protective spray makes styling your hair easier while also protecting it from heat damage.
Jen Atkin, Celebrity Hairstylist

Use heat protectants and other nourishing products. "Make sure that you’re protecting the hair and not creating more damage with extreme heat. "

4

Straighten your hair with a blow dryer.

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Blow-dry your hair completely on low heat for the best effect. Separate your hair into sections and blow-dry it one section at a time to ensure your hair is dried evenly and thoroughly. Start with one section and run through it with your brush, chasing the brush with the hair dryer to straighten it. Repeat the motion, running the brush down each chunk of hair from root to tip until it's all straight.
- Always make sure the hair dryer has a nozzle, cold button, and a strength of 1500 watts.

5

Use a flat iron to straighten your hair.

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Divide up your hair and go over each section once with your flat iron. Use the chase method to straighten your hair and eliminate frizz. First, thread a bunch of hair with a fine-tooth comb near the top of your head. Then, position the flat iron behind the comb and pull both down, so that you're combing your hair from root to tip and chasing the comb with the flat iron.^{[4]
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Research source} Repeat the movement for each section of hair until it's all straight!
- Keep the flat iron's temperature between 350 °F (177 °C) and 450 °F (232 °C), and only go over your hair with the flat iron once to avoid damaging it.
- Flat iron your hair only once every time you wash it and touch up frizzy spots once per wash too. You don't need to go over your whole head; just apply some heat protectant and fix the problem areas as needed.
- You can also opt for a professional silk press treatment to straighten your hair at a salon.

6

Use vitamin-rich oil to smooth out your hair.

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Coconut, argan, and castor oil are all great for banishing frizzy hair. Natural curly hair also needs the most hydration, which oils can provide while eliminating frizz. Apply the oil by pouring a small amount into your hand and rubbing it through your hair from the ends to the roots.
- Argan oil is rich in vitamin E and fatty acids, which keep your hair sleek and soft.
- Coconut oil is perfect for hydrating your hair and sealing it, preventing frizz and split ends.
- Castor oil is also nutrient-rich and promotes hair growth.

7

Put your hair in a bun.

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A bun can protect your hair from frizz in moments of high humidity. On a humid day, pull your hair back into a loose bun to shield your hair from the worst moisture. Often, this will be enough to keep your hair frizz-free until the humidity subsides (or you get away from the humid weather).^{[5]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

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- You could also try a ponytail or braid if you prefer either style.
- You only need to keep your hair in the bun while exposed to the humidity. You can always let your hair down if you enter a climate-controlled indoor space.
- In some areas, mornings are more humid than afternoons. Check your local weather to see if you can let your hair out of the bun in the afternoon.

8

Wrap your hair every night.

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A wrap keeps your hair straight and gives it volume without extra heat. Brush out your hair and part it, continuing the part down your head. Cross the two halves diagonally and clip them in place with two large clips. If you have longer hair, keep wrapping the hair around your head and clip it as needed. Then, wrap a satin scarf around your head, looping it and tying it in the front, and remove all clips.^{[6]
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- When you wake up in the morning, simply untie and remove the hair wrap, and your hair will be sleek and straight.

9

Stay away from water-based products.

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Water-based products will cause your hair to revert to its curly state. After all, any moisture can undo your work and cause unwanted frizz.^{[7]
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Science Direct
Online archive of peer-reviewed research on scientific, technical and medical topics

Go to source} Avoid using water-based stylers, moisturizers, and other products with water as the main ingredient. Check labels before putting a product in your hair, and stick to oils and anti-frizz serums.
- Products without water will keep your straight hair looking great for as long as possible!

10

Use less heavy hair products.

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Use a dime-sized amount of product daily. Natural hair typically benefits from moisturizing products and heavy styling cream, but this isn't the case for straightened hair. Heavy butter or creams will decrease the time your hair stays straight.^{[8]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists

Go to source} Sticking to small amounts of your usual products will keep hair from drying out without making it curl.
- If your hair frizzes up a bit during the day, don't add more heavy product. Instead, rely on your oils and hair wrap to set it straight again.

11

Wear a shower cap.

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Keep your hair shielded from water wherever possible. Since you'll likely need to shower every couple of days, wrap your hair up with a silk or satin scarf and place a shower cap over it. The shower cap will block water, while the scarf will stop stray moisture from getting into your hair.^{[9]
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BreastCancer.org
Patient-focused nonprofit organization providing resources for those affected by breast cancer

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- Other ways to protect your hair from water and humidity include pinning it up on a beach or pool day and using an umbrella during rainy weather.
- Make sure to wash your hair once a week without the shower cap. Going multiple weeks at a time without washing your hair can strip it of nutrients and dry it out too much.

12

Do low-intensity workouts on humid days.

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Low-intensity workouts protect your hair by producing less sweat. This kind of exercise includes walking, cycling, jogging, yoga, and Zumba.^{[10]
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Research source} You don't need to avoid high-intensity exercise entirely; just plan a lighter workout on high-humidity days. Make sure you also wear a sweatband on your head when you start the workout; this will stop moisture from getting into your hair.
- Sweaty, high-intensity workouts include sprinting, weight-lifting, circuit training, and plyometrics.

13

Visit the salon for a keratin treatment.

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Hair can get frizzy when it doesn't have enough keratin. Go to a salon for a keratin treatment to eliminate frizz and get that pin-straight look you're envisioning for your hair. After visiting the salon, don't wash your hair or pull it back in a ponytail for 3 days to ensure the treatment fully sets in.
- Once in place, a keratin treatment can help keep your hair straight for up to 3 months!

14

Check the humidity before straightening your hair.

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Apps like My Hair Weather and [1] predict humidity for you. That way, you can decide whether straightening your hair that day is worth the effort. It'll also be easier to straighten hair during certain seasons; summer is often very humid, whereas fall and winter are more arid.^{[11]
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- Normal relative humidity levels fall between 30% and 50%.^{[12]
  X
  Research source} If the humidity level is above 50%, it'll be more difficult to maintain straight hair.
- If your country and area have a typical "wet season," take note and check the daily humidity often during that time.