Dear Ouidad: I have naturally curly type 3b hair. It is frizzy and kinky and very hard to maintain. I did thermal straightening four years ago and have been getting it done every 6 months. Since my hair is so curly, it looks funny when the new hair begins to grow. I do not want to use too many chemicals too often on my hair and have read that it is best to wait at least 6 months to get hair thermally straightened, so I generally pull my hair back in a pony.

Now my questions to you are:

1. Is it harmful to get your hair thermally straightened so often?
2. I live in Florida and the humidity doesn’t help my frizzy hair. What other alternative would you suggest if I do not get my hair thermally straightened?
3. Can you recommend any products/treatments that might help me in controlling my curls?

I have been very frustrated with my hair for a very long time. I’d really appreciate it if you can help me out and let me know the right way to handle my hair.

---

A: Thermally straightening your hair and other salon straightening techniques (such as a Japanese straightening or a kearatin treatment”> can be extremely damaging to your hair in the long run. I recommend trying to embrace your natural curls and start by using a deep conditioning treatment every other week to bring your curls back after all of the chemical processing. Once your hair has grown out of the straightening damage you can style using products for curly hair . Keep the frizz down by using one of my favorite conditioning and styling combinations: Moisture Lock leave-in conditioner and “>Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel. You’ll never go back to straightening again once you learn to style your naturally beautiful curly hair!