How to Make Hair Less Poofy or Frizzy (for Guys)

Written by Christine George | Edited by Nihal Shetty

Last Updated: September 6, 2024 Fact Checked

Whether you call it poofy, puffy, or frizzy, seeing your hair get out of control can make any guy feel a little self-conscious. In most cases, your hair gets poofy when it has a naturally curly or wavy texture that isn’t sufficiently moisturized. Poofy hair can also happen when your hair’s been damaged or is dealing with a lot of friction. No matter the cause, we’re here to help. Here’s our complete guide for guys who are looking to fix poofy hair.

This article is based on an interview with our master hairstylist and colorist, Christine George, owner of Luxe Parlour. Check out the full interview here.

How to Stop Your Hair from Looking Poofy For Guys

Cut back to washing your hair every 2 to 3 days.
Wash your hair with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner.
Use cold water to rinse out your hair.
Dry your hair with an old t-shirt.
Apply a deep conditioner once per week.

1

Wash your hair less often.

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Cutting back on washing your hair prevents dryness and frizz. Washing your hair with shampoo every day strips away its natural oils, which can lead to frizzy, poofy hair. If you’re a guy who’s washing your hair every day, try cutting back to once every 2 or 3 days.
- If your hair feels way too greasy after you’ve cut back on washing it, try using a dry shampoo.

2

Opt for a hydrating shampoo and conditioner.

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Well-moisturized hair starts with the right products in the shower. A hydrating shampoo and conditioner, especially one made for curly hair, can lead to quick results. A lot of guys tend to skip a separate conditioner step, instead just using shampoo or a combined shampoo and conditioner project, but you shouldn’t. Be sure to apply conditioner immediately after each time you shampoo.^{[1]
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- Using a leave-in conditioner after each wash is also a great option to tame frizz.

3

Rinse with cold water at the end of your showers.

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While this doesn’t mean you have to start taking cold showers, after shampooing your hair with warm water, try using cold water during the conditioning phase. Rinsing your hair with cold water closes up your hair’s cuticle (the outermost layer of your hair), leading to a stronger, shinier, and less frizzy appearance.^{[2]
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4

Deep condition your hair weekly.

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You can deep condition your hair with a number of products, including shea butter, collagen, or panthenol. For any guy, a weekly deep conditioning will add moisture and life back to any frizzy hair that you might have.^{[3]
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5

Towel-dry wet hair with an old t-shirt.

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A simple t-shirt removes excess water without breakage or frizz. Drying your hair with a regular towel creates a lot of friction, which is one of the major culprits when it comes to poofy hair. An old t-shirt is a much more gentle alternative, especially if you use it to simply mop up excess water from your hair—try not to rub it harshly on your scalp.
- Instead of a t-shirt, you can also use a soft microfiber towel.

6

Detangle with a wide-tooth comb.

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Wide-tooth combs are less likely to damage your hair. It’s best to comb your hair when it’s still wet, after you’ve applied conditioner. When it comes to curly or wavy hair, standard hairbrushes are likely to damage your hair or cause breakage.^{[4]
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- If you prefer, you can also just use your fingers to comb your hair.

7

Apply an anti-frizz serum before styling.

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Anti-frizz serums block out humidity and give your hair a sleek look. If you’re a guy who wants to have hair with a shiny and healthy look, squirt a few drops of anti-frizz serum into your hands, run it through your hair, then style your hair however you’d like.^{[5]
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8

Use a moisturizing control cream.

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Curl or control creams are leave-in conditioners that work great for poofy hair. After you’ve dried off from a shower, spread a small amount of leave-in conditioner through your hair. This product will greatly help your hair texture and continue to moisturize it throughout the day.

9

Tame dry, frizzy hair with argan oil.

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Oils are the key to a silky appearance for your hair. When your hair is dry, pour a few drops of argan oil into your hand, then rub it through your hair. There’s no need to go overboard—just a small amount is enough to give your hair a less poofy appearance.^{[6]
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- If you have dandruff and are trying to prevent a flare-up, stay away from using oils, since they can sometimes make things worse.

10

Use sea salt spray to control frizz.

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Sea salt spray is a styling quick fix that adds texture. Sea salt spray adds texture and makes your hair look great, like you just finished a day surfing at the beach. Keep some with you, and give your hair a quick spray when you feel like your frizziness is getting out of control.

11

Trim your hair every few weeks.

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Trimming away split ends keeps your hair looking tidy. Frizzy hair is sometimes the result of damaged hair and split ends. Although deep conditioning can keep your hair in good condition, there’s nothing that can be done about seriously damaged hair other than cutting it off. Visit a barber every few weeks to trim your split ends.^{[7]
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- With a little bit of practice, you can even trim your own split ends, which can save you a trip to your barber.
- Your barber can also use thinning shears to remove any areas of your hair that jut out or feel too full.

12

Visit a professional for keratin treatment.

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For frizzy hair that’s tough to manage, try a smoothing keratin treatment. A stylist can give you a professional opinion about your options to make your hair less puffy. Keratin treatments have become extremely popular, including among guys. Although they’re commonly thought of as being for straightening hair, they’re actually used to deal with frizz.
- After getting a hair treatment, be sure to use any shampoos or other products that your stylist recommends. This will help your treatment last much longer.

13

Sleep on a silk pillowcase.

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Silk pillowcases keep friction during sleep to a minimum. These pillowcases have become all the craze recently among trendsetters (both guys and girls), but they’ve actually been used for a long time. While cotton pillowcases can irritate your hair with friction while you sleep, silk pillowcases are far more gentle and can reduce the amount of frizz in your hair.^{[8]
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- In addition to their benefits for your hair, many people believe that silk pillowcases are also helpful at reducing acne.

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Tips

Beanies might look cool on a lot of guys, but they’re a pretty big culprit when it comes to frizzy hair. These hats create a lot of friction—instead, opt for a cotton or cashmere hat, which is gentler on your hair.^{[9]
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