Does silk keep your hair from getting frizzy?

afrogal

I read that silk was an excellent way to keep your hair frizzy and soft, whether wrapping a silk scarf around your hair at night or using the proteins. While I tried it, I didn't quite see the results and was wondering whether members used silk or satin scarfs to reduce frizzy hair. Also, have you seen any results with the silk proteins? Thank you for your feedback!

leahsierra

Not a brain, but I recently bought the satin/silk pillow cases because I've heard the same thing.. mmmm didn't see any difference...so you are not alone.

Right Brain

You might find this post helpful: Silk Pillow Cases Do Not Make You A Sleeping Beauty

lindygirl1960

@ Right Brain - the link to the post you cited is more about do silk pillowcases prevent wrinkles on your face. Do silk (or satin) pillowcases actually help hair be less frizzy though? I know this is being simplistic but it does seem that if the hair slides more easily across a surface it would lead to less tangles and frizz in the hair by morning. Or is that just wrong thinking? (And yes I sleep on a satin pillowcase. Not a pricey one. I got it for under $10 at Sally Beauty Supply.)

Thanks!!

Right Brain

@Lindygirl: Oops, you're probably right. I'm so used to hearing the silk question on skin that I just went with my knee jerk reaction. Reducing friction on hair while you sleep is certainly a legit way to fight frizz. As far as silk proteins are concerned, they are used as conditioning agents but typically they have to be chemically modified to be cationic (positively charged) so they stick to hair.

lindygirl1960

So it is not a wasted effort to sleep on the satin-y sort of pillowcase. Good to know. I just know I wake up with less tangles that way.

I cannot honestly say if that has contributed and to what degree to the less frizz I have now. I changed the way I do my hair rather radically about 3 years ago. Now I have less frizz, not as many tangles, more shine and, thank heavens, no more burning irritated scalp in the winter. The pillowcase was only one part of the changes I made.

Thanks Right Brain!

sarahf

My grandmother used to have a satin pillowcase. And she even traveled with it!

Vick

What does lindygirl do for her hair that makes it shiny?, and would it work for curly, too?

lindygirl1960

@ Vick - I have wavy/curly hair. Let me start by saying that the products that work on my hair have been found through trial and error. What works for me may or may not work for you. I can tell you what I do to my hair. I have been treating my hair very differently for the past 3+ years and it has made a huge difference in how my hair looks and feels. My information came from Curly Girl - The Book by Lorraine Massey and from the website naturallycurly.com. You have to join the site to use it fully but membership is free.

I started this whole journey of learning to do things differently because in the winter my scalp would burn and hurt. I could not figure out why. In less than a day my roots would be oily. I shampooed daily. I dried my hair straight. It was time for a change. I began experimenting with encouraging the waves and curls in my hair. I bought the book. I found the website. I initially thought the whole idea was crazy. I began my experiment.

I decided to try shampoo with no sulfates thinking just maybe using something to clean my hair with that was more gentle would benefit my scalp. I also took the plunge to try co-washing, washing using only conditioner, most days. Now I wash with a no sulfate shampoo every third day. All other days I co-wash with a conditioner. I clean my hair and scalp every day.

On to styling which also needed a change. Because I was now not using shampoo with sulfates I had to read a lot of labels and experiment a lot to find styling products that didn't have silicones which would work for me. I have a clear hair gel which I use mixed with either plain, clear aloe gel or a silicone free curl cream. I scrunch these in and use a dryer with a diffuser to start the drying process and set the pattern of the waves and curls.

You can also use products with silicones that are water soluble. Here is a list of what is and is not water soluble. http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/curly-q-a/whats-the-scoop-on-silicones?utm_source=nc_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20100601

I deep condition once a week using Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. I run the oil through dry hair, cover it with a shower cap, cover the shower cap with a towel and leave it while I do chores around the house for at least an hour. Then I run my shampoo through dry hair, step into the shower, add water and shampoo and condition (same conditioner I use to co-wash with) as usual.

I do sleep on a satin pillowcase. Which was what led to my comments on this thread to begin with.

Since I began doing my hair differently my hairdresser is impressed. He was super skeptical about the entire idea. After seeing the results he is sold on it. Apparently it is a big deal that with hair as long as mine, well below my shoulders, he can run a comb through it root to tip without the comb ever catching in the hair. I am happy because I have less frizz, more shine and less static in the winter.

So that is the tale of how I do my hair. Sorry it is so long. If I left out details and you want to know those details just ask. Hope that helps. Just remember that the products that work for me might or might not work for you. There is, sadly, no magic bullet when it comes to hair care. There are just products, and sometimes combinations of products, that work well. Those don't need to cost a fortune. There are plenty of good reasonably priced options out there.

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