For a newcomer, the first exposure to Hong Kong’s humidity can come as a bit of a shock, especially as you see your gorgeous new hairdo turn literally to a hot mess not long after stepping outside! Thankfully, the team at Glow know how to control frizzy hair using a new organic hair smoothing treatment or one of their popular keratin treatments.
Why is our hair frizzy in the summer?
The subtropical, humid climate here contributes to frizzy hair during the summer months. The high humidity causes the hair’s outer cuticle layer to swell and lift, creating the appearance of frizz. Interestingly, the warm, wet temperatures paradoxically dry out the hair, making it more susceptible to frizziness as the hair cuticles reach out to the atmosphere, searching for moisture.
The summer sun in Hong Kong can be harsh on our hair. Increased sun exposure can damage the hair’s protective lipid layer, causing dryness and frizz. The combination of heat and humidity also leads to excessive sweating, adding moisture that frizzy hair struggles to manage. When trying to figure out how to control frizzy hair, it’s tempting to use styling products. However, they can make the problem worse.
These products can weigh down the hair and disrupt the natural moisture balance; prolonged use can also unintentionally make the frizz more noticeable.
What are some of the ways you tackle frizzy hair at Glow? Here are five!
#1 Keratin treatments are intensive, semi-permanent smoothing treatments that infuse the hair with keratin to smooth and seal the cuticle. The treatments typically wash out over 10 to 16 weeks. They help reduce frizz and boost manageability for three to four months.
#2 Deep conditioning masks, sometimes known as hair botox, are salon-grade intensive conditioning treatments that can help replenish moisture and strengthen hair fibre to resist humidity-induced frizz.
#3 Smoothing blowouts are a quick and affordable solution for an evening out or an event. With the right products and techniques, our stylists can give a sleek, frizz-free blowout that may last for several days.
#4 Depending on your hair type, regular haircuts that remove damaged ends coupled with in-salon bond building treatments rebuild the bonds within hair strands. This improves overall hair health and consequently reduces frizz.
#5 Your stylist can also recommend styling products with frizz-fighting polymers, oils and silicones to create a humidity barrier.
Tell us about your new hair smoothing treatment, OXO Organic.
OXO Organic Hair Treatment is a permanent smoothing treatment with a soft, naturally straight finish allowing for movement and natural body. It’s enriched with organic amino acids that restore strength and condition to the hair, and is 100 percent finished in the salon. You can tie back your hair and exercise immediately following your treatment. You can even swim in salt or chlorinated water and highlight or colour your hair without impacting the longevity of the treatment.
The treatment is suitable for coarse frizzy and curly hair, for smoothing, straightening, strengthening and conditioning. It’s ideal for clients who want their hair permanently straightened while retaining movement, body and volume. In this way, it’s different to chemical or Japanese hair straightening, which tends to have an extremely straight and flat look. OXO Organic can be used on highlighted or coloured hair, as well as dry and damaged hair and it will restore a soft and conditioned look and feel, preserving the integrity of the hair.
The treatment is also safe to use on all clients, as it poses no health risks – including for those who are pregnant and breastfeeding. It’s formaldehyde- and PPD-free, with no harsh chemicals and a low PH formulation. The key ingredients are argan oil, keratin, amino acids, lavender extract, coco extract, hydrolysed wheat protein and hydrolysed rice protein.
The keratin treatment process
Like with most keratin smoothing treatments, OXO Organic requires a decent amount of time in the salon. Sessions are typically 3.5 to 4.5 hours, depending on the length, volume and condition of your hair. There are seven steps to the treatment, which include a pre-treatment preparation shampoo, application and development, rinsing and drying, flat ironing, and then a final shampoo, check and blow-dry.
How to control frizzy hair by maintaining the effect at home
Just use the shampoo, conditioner or aftercare treatments recommended by your stylist. The treatment can be topped-up in the salon as needed; typically, a client should expect to do a top-up in three to six months to retain the smoothed result.
Other hair smoothing treatments
The team at Glow have extensive experience with keratin smoothing, and they carry a range of treatments including the original Brazilian Blowout, the ever popular Bhave XT and Bhave Plus treatments, Goldwell’s Kerasilk, as well as Wella Smooth Japanese straightening.
For guidance or a recommendation for the most suitable treatment for your hair type, book a complimentary consultation with one of the hairstylists.
Glow Spa & Salon is at 8/F, Silver Fortune Plaza, 1 Wellington Street, Central. For more information, call 2525 5198 or WhatsApp 9680 2107. glowspa.hk
This article about hair smoothing treatments first appeared in the Summer 2023 issue of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue.
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