Baby hairs, or fly aways, are those fine, wispy hairs that often stick out around your hairline. Although there’s nothing wrong with having baby hairs, it can get annoying to repeatedly smooth them down when you’re trying to style your hair. Controlling baby hairs can be a bit tricky, but with the right tips, products, and patience you’ll know exactly how to tame baby hairs from now on.
What Causes Baby Hairs?
If you have baby hairs, you know what a pain they can be. They happen when the growing (anagen) phase of the hair cycle becomes shorter, which typically happens over several cycles. When the growing cycle shortens, new hairs don’t grow as long as those covering the rest of your head.
You can often blame your hormones for baby hairs. Estrogen keeps hairs in the growing phase, and stress hormones, like cortisol, will start the shedding phase. However, if your stress levels remain high for extended periods, your new hairs will stay baby-sized.
Baby hairs are also common in women who have recently given birth. Postpartum hair loss is real and many women experience it. Baby hairs appear in the regrowth phase, typically within that first year. But rest assured, eventually your baby hairs will grow and catch up to the rest of your hair.
Other causes of baby hairs are stress, smoking, aging, or heat and styling choices that cause your hair to break. Although breakage around your hairline is not the same as baby hairs, it can look the same and requires the same techniques to tame it.
How to Tame Baby Hairs
1. Never Shave or Wax Your Baby Hairs
While it may seem tempting to try to get rid of your baby hairs altogether, under no circumstances should you ever shave or wax them. Threading isn’t a great idea either. All of these methods aren’t permanent and you’ll have to deal with the hairs growing back, likely even thicker.
2. Don’t Over Wash Your Hair
When your hair is too clean, it’s stripped of its natural oils, making baby hairs more prone to sticking out. Try to wash your hair every other day or less frequently, depending on your hair type.
3. Try a Satin Pillowcase
Sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase can reduce friction between your hair and the pillow, which can help prevent your hair from getting frizzy and tangled. It allows your hair to gently glide over the top of it, and absorbs less moisture than a cotton pillow case, which keeps your hair hydrated and reduces frizz while you sleep.
4. Keep Your Hair Well Conditioned
Keeping your hair well moisturized is key to keeping flyaways at bay. Find a hydrating conditioner like this one by Eleven, formulated with hydrating ingredients like cucumber extract and avocado oil. Use a hair mask or deep conditioner once a week to nourish your strands from root to tip. This one hydrates, conditions, and tames frizz with ingredients like shea butter and argan oil.
5. Start Using a Wide Tooth Comb
Using the correct hair tools is key to keeping your hair healthy and preventing breakage and damage. Switch from a brush to a wide-toothed comb to detangle your hair as they’re much less damaging to your strands. If you’re prone to flyaways, you’ll want to wait to comb through your hair until it’s slightly dry. Your hair is at its most fragile when it’s wet so brushing it in this state can lead to more damage.
6. The Perfect Sleek Ponytail Tutorial | Allana Davison
In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to do the perfect sleek high ponytail, plus she shows you the best way to tame flyaways for a slick back look like this. She recommends products like a boar bristle hair brush, a good hairspray and the Keune Pomade. A clear pomade is key so you don’t get white residue in your hair. She gives you her best tips for mastering a sleek pony, so be sure to take note!
7. Use Hair Products to Your Advantage
Depending on your hair type and thickness, there are hair products that will help keep your flyaways under wraps. For finer hair, apply a small amount of hair oil or serum to your hairline to help smooth down the baby hairs. Use just a tiny drop to avoid making your hair greasy. If you have thicker, curlier hair, add a small amount of styling gel or cream to your hairline, then use your fingers to smooth down the baby hairs. Make sure not to use too much product, as it may make your hair look greasy or stiff.
8. Try a Toothbrush or Spoolie
One of the best tools you can use to tame stubborn baby hairs is an unused toothbrush or a clean mascara spoolie. Spritz a bit of hairspray on your tool of choice and then gently brush the baby hairs into place.
9. Use a Lip Balm
Lip balm like this one by Laneige has a pomade-like texture that makes it ideal for taming flyaways. It functions similarly to lotion, with a better grip, and all you need is a small amount applied with your fingers to problem areas. This will ensure you avoid making the rest of your hair look greasy.
10. Avoid Heavy Hair Products
Heavy styling products or waxes can weigh down your hair and make it look greasy, making it harder to manage baby hairs. Go light when applying your products and use ones that aren’t too heavy.
If you’ve been struggling to tame your baby hairs, we hope these tips help you get them under control!
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