How to Fix Stringy Curly Hair – 9 Must-Try Techniques

Stringy curls are one of the most common problems that people with natural hair experience. Almost every curly girl struggles with this problem at least once, and it can be really frustrating to see thin, stringy strands instead of the juicy curls we all crave.

There are several causes of stringy curly hair, which are often related to too much or too little moisture. Luckily, we’ve got some simple DIY solutions that you can use to solve this frustrating problem. 

So, in this guide, we’ll help you discover the common causes of stringy hair and share some ways to turn your limp strands into luscious clumps of curls.

Why Do My Curls Look Stringy?

One of the most frustrating things about stringy hair is figuring out what’s causing it. There are a few reasons why your clumps can turn stringy, but generally, it’s because your hair has either too much moisture or too little of it. Hair that has the right level of hydration can easily form clumps.

If your hair is damaged by hot styling tools, chemical treatments, or other factors, it can struggle to hold moisture and quickly become limp and brittle. 

On the other hand, giving your hair too much hydration can alter the protein/moisture balance and cause hygral fatigue, leaving it feeling gummy and inelastic. The same thing can happen if your hair develops product build up, which can easily happen when you’re trying to hydrate dry curls.

All of these problems result in limp, stringy strands that can’t create curl clumps easily.

How to Fix Stringy Hair

Luckily, there are several ways to solve this problem but finding the cause of your stringy strands can take some time. So, if you’re wondering how to fix your stringy curly hair, here are some simple tips!

Remember that your curls are unique and won’t react to a technique just like another curly girl’s locks. It’s always worth trying some changes to your routine, but you might have to accept that your curls form smaller curl clumps than you’re hoping for.

Use a Clarifying Shampoo

When you notice your curls look stringy, your first step should be to reach for a clarifying shampoo. This will remove any build up of products, hard water minerals, natural oils, and more from your hair strands and give you a clean base to start from.

Clarifying shampoos can be harsh on your hair and strip out the natural oils that moisturize your strands. So use a gentle clarifying shampoo like Devacurl Buildup Buster or follow up with a deep conditioning treatment if you choose a more powerful clarifier like Malibu C Un-Do-Goo.

Style on Wetter Hair

One of the most common reasons for stringy curls that I see people do all the time is style on hair that is not wet enough. I know this because I made this same mistake for years!

If your hair isn’t really wet, it will not clump!

When you apply your products, you should be able to squeeze water out of your hair while styling. If not, add more water.

To avoid this, I recommend plopping your hair after you have applied your styling products instead of before. Style in the shower after rinsing out your conditioner to make it easier. Then plop while you dry off your body and move on to air drying or diffusing.

In the video below, I show you how wet my hair is before I start applying my products.

Try the Squish to Condish Method

Stringy hair is often caused by a lack of moisture because your strands need plenty of hydration to form curl clumps. So, the ‘squish to condish’ method created by stylist Melissa Stites is a great way to hydrate your curls.

Basically, you need to apply a rinse-out conditioner to your hair, scoop up a handful of curls into the palm of your hand, and cup them up towards your roots. Splash in a little water, and then squish or scrunch your hair until it feels super-soft, a bit like wet seaweed.

You can find out more in my guide to the Squish to Condish method.

Reach for a Deep Conditioning Treatment

If your hair feels really dry, it needs some extra love in the form of a deep conditioner or hair mask to add moisture to your strands. If you pick a conditioner that’s rich in protein, it will also help fix any cuticle damage that might be affecting your curls. Look for ingredients like keratin, silk amino acids, or anything hydrolyzed.

You can also follow up with a leave in conditioner to help define your curls and keep frizz at bay. If your hair is extremely dry, add a curl cream like Miribel Naturals Powerhouse Protein Cream on top to lock in all that juicy hydration.

Use Moisture-Rich Styling Products

Choosing the right styling products will also help add weight to your curl clumps. After you’ve applied a leave in conditioner, you can seal in the moisture with a curl-defining gel like Jessicurl Spiralicious Gel, which is paraben-free and enriched with jojoba oil. 

A light hold gel or custard can also boost the clumpiness of your curls without any crunch. Depending on whether you prefer a gel or a cream, you could try Jessicurl Spiralicious Gel or MopTop Curly Hair Custard, which is a lightweight custard enriched with aloe and silk proteins.

Try Different Styling Techniques

Do you usually rake or comb products through your hair? If so, this could be causing your curl clumps to break up, especially if you have a loose curl pattern. 

Try using a different styling technique, like scrunching the product into your hair. Alternatively, you could try spritzing your hair with some water after you’ve applied your product to help your curls form clumps again. This can make a real difference to how your hair looks.

Invest in a Denman Brush

Many curly girls find that a Denman brush has almost magical clump-creating powers. Those wide-spread plastic bristles help to separate wet hair into curl clumps and banish stringy strands. 

If you’re unsure which Denman Brush is best for your curls, take a look at our guide to Denman Brushes.

Alternatively, you could try using a wide toothed comb to separate your curl clumps.

Diffuse your Curls

Using a blow dryer without a diffuser is sure to dehydrate your hair, creating stringy curls that are prone to breakage. 

Gentle diffuse drying will give your tresses more volume and help your curls clump together, resulting in bouncier clumps. Be careful not to be too vigorous or use a hot setting, which can break up your clumps and create frizz, and always apply a heat protectant before you style your hair.

If diffusing doesn’t work well on your curls, air drying might be a better option for you. Alternatively, you could try diffuse drying your hair until it’s mostly dry and then let it dry naturally. It’s all about finding the right balance for your curls.

Whichever drying option you choose, don’t scrunch out the crunch until your hair is 100% dry.

Book a Trim

Dull, dry, dead ends can also affect your curls. So, if it’s been months since your last trim, it’s time to make a salon appointment. 

Be sure to visit a stylist with plenty of experience with curly hair so they’ll know how to cut and style your curls.

Try Going Protein-Free

If you’ve added moisture, changed your drying technique, and visited the salon for a trim, but your curls still look stringy, you might have protein overload or protein-sensitive hair. The protein/moisture balance is vital for healthy hair – if your hair has too much protein, it can become brittle, stringy, and prone to breakage. 

So, if you feel like you’ve tried everything, it’s worth switching to protein-free products for a few weeks. If your locks are very dry or coarse, you can use protein-free products whenever you’re washing your hair, or try using them just once or twice a week if your hair is oily or fine. 

Look for a difference in your hair when you’ve been using the new products for a week or two and adjust your routine as necessary.

Remember that extreme changes in your hair can also signal health issues. So, if your hair problems persist, be sure to seek advice from a medical professional.

FAQs

If you’re still looking for more answers on stringy hair, these frequently asked questions will help!

Does Stringy Hair Need Protein?

Protein gives hair its strength and structure, but it can be easily damaged through heated styling, chemical treatments, or poor hair care habits. If hair is lacking protein, it can lead to stringy curls and hygral fatigue.

Protein treatments can help strengthen natural hair, but be careful: too much protein can leave it feeling brittle.

How Often Should I Wash My Stringy Hair?

The answer to this question will depend on factors like your hair type, density, and whether you have low or high porosity. Check out our simple Curly Hair Type Quiz and Guide to Hair Porosity to learn more about your hair’s needs.

How Can I Make My Stringy Hair Look Thicker?

Water helps your curls clump together, so you tend to get stringy curls if you apply styling products to slightly damp hair. 

To give your hair more body and help it clump, try applying your products to thoroughly wet hair, and keep a spray bottle handy to add more water if needed.

The Bottom Line

Stringy curls are a frustrating problem that can strike out of nowhere, and it takes trial and error to find the solution that helps your clumps form properly.

The advice and tips in this guide will help you solve your problem and turn your stringy strands back into bouncy, well-defined curls!