How to Break the Gel Cast on Curly Hair

If you have curly hair, you likely know the struggle of trying to tame frizz and enhance your natural texture. Using styling products like gel is a common technique to help define curls and reduce frizz. However, this can sometimes result in crunchy, stiff hair known as a “gel cast.”

The good news is that a gel cast is only temporary! With the right techniques, you can break the cast to reveal soft, touchable curls that still have definition and hold. This article will explain what causes a gel cast, why it’s beneficial for curly hair, and simple methods to scrunch it out.

What is a Gel Cast?

A gel cast refers to the hardened, crunchy feeling in your curls that occurs when hair gel or another strong hold styling product dries on the hair. This happens because gels contain film-forming ingredients that bind the hair strands together as your hair dries.

Some common ingredients in gels that create a cast include:

• Polyquaternium – Provides flexible to strong hold
• PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) – Gives strong hold
• Aloe vera – Acts as a natural film-former
• Flaxseed gel – Contains mucilage that dries into a cast

The level of crunch you experience depends on the specific gel’s hold strength. Lightweight gels made with natural ingredients like flaxseed tend to have a softer cast, while synthetic gels with polymers typically cause very hard, stiff casts.

Why is a Gel Cast Good for Curly Hair?

While no one wants permanently crunchy hair, allowing a gel cast to form as your hair dries is actually beneficial:

• It sets your curl pattern. The cast helps lock your strands into clumps and prevents the curls from loosening or falling out.

• It controls frizz. The stiff gel film acts as a protective barrier against humidity and other environmental factors that cause frizz.

• It locks in moisture. Gel seals in the water and leave-in conditioner under the cast, keeping hair hydrated.

• It extends your style. The cast prolongs your curl definition between washes. Breaking it sooner causes styles to fall faster.

So don’t panic if your hair feels crunchy after applying gel! The cast is simply a temporary styling tool for enhanced definition, hold, and frizz protection.

When to Scrunch Out the Crunch

There are two options for when you can scrunch out your gel cast:

1. On Wet Hair

You can begin releasing the cast while your hair is still damp by gently squishing and squeezing sections of curls. This will provide softer hold and volume right away.

However, wet hair is fragile. Removing too much gel before drying can cause frizz and disrupt your curl pattern.

Only scrunch wet hair if you used a very lightweight gel or don’t mind somewhat compromised definition.

2. On Dry Hair

Most curly girls prefer to let their hair air dry fully or diffuse it completely before breaking the cast. This allows the gel to work its magic for frizz-free, defined curls.

Wait until your hair is 100% dry to the touch before scrunching. The curls will feel crunchy, hard, and stiff when ready.

Scrunching dry hair gives you the benefits of gel hold with softer, touchable texture.

How to Scrunch Out Crunchy Curls

Breaking your gel cast is easy! Here are a few simple techniques:

Use Your Hands

The basic method is to gently scrunch sections of dry hair with your fingers. Cup small sections in your palms and squeeze upward from ends to roots.

Work carefully to avoid frizz. Repeat throughout hair until the crunchy feeling softens.

Apply Oil

Rub a few drops of a lightweight oil between your palms first to help break up the cast. Oils also add shine and moisture.

Great options are argan, grapeseed, jojoba, and marula oils. Avoid heavy oils like coconut.

Diffuse on Low

Use a diffuser attachment on low, cool heat to gently lift curls and break the cast. Cup hair into the diffuser bowl and scrunch.

Diffuse until hair feels soft, reducing speed/heat if frizz appears.

Use a Soft Brush

For looser waves, a wide-tooth comb or Denman brush can help break up gel without disrupting your style. Avoid excessive brushing.

Let Curls Soften Naturally

You don’t have to actively scrunch out every bit of crunch. Letting the gel cast naturally soften over a few hours is okay too. Just don’t touch your hair!

Maintain Some Crunch

Keep a bit of gel cast for added hold and definition, especially in frizz-prone areas. Only scrunch out sections that feel overly stiff.

What Products Create a Gel Cast?

Many different gels and styling products can form a hard cast on curly hair as they dry. Some top options include:

• Eco Styler Gel – A drugstore favorite for strong cast & curl definition

• Aussie Instant Freeze Gel – Budget-friendly choice for frizz control

• DevaCurl Arc Angel Gel – Contains aloe & glycerin for moisture

• Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Gel – Defines curls & resists humidity

• Kinky Curly Curling Custard – Natural option with soft to medium cast

• Innersense I Create Hold Gel – Lightweight flaxseed gel softens easily

• Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Jelly – Defines & reduces frizz on thick curls

• Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curly Magic – Plant-based gel gives touchable hold

Note: Don’t use heavy pomades, butters, or styling creams alone if you want a cast for hold. Look for products specifically marketed as gels.

Tips for Cast-Free Definition

Some curly girls dislike any crunchiness, even temporarily. You can still achieve defined curls without a gel cast:

• Use curl creams or lightweight styling milks instead of firm gels

• Brush through styling products for a smooth, clump-free finish

• Apply products to soaking wet hair and avoid scrunching

• Use minimal product amounts and emulsify well with water

• Allow hair to air dry fully before touching to prevent frizz

• Finish with an oil or serum to increase shine and softness

Common Gel Cast Problems

Having trouble getting cast-free curls? Here are some fixes for common issues:

Frizzy hair after scrunching: Hair wasn’t moisturized enough before gel application. Always use a leave-in conditioner first. Alternatively, you may need a stronger hold gel.

Curls fall quickly: Gel hold isn’t strong enough to lock in curl pattern. Opt for maximum hold gels with polyquaternium or PVP.

Hair feels dry and brittle: Gel contains alcohols/other drying ingredients. Seek a nourishing formula with moisturizers like glycerin, aloe vera, or panthenol.

Flakes in hair: You used too much gel! Apply sparingly and emulsify with water. Flakes can also occur if gel isn’t compatible with other products.

Only the top layer is crunchy: Gel didn’t fully penetrate all your hair. Apply gel in sections to wet hair, smoothing from roots to ends.

White residue on scalp: Gel buildup. Clarify occasionally with a sulfate shampoo. Also apply gel only to mid-lengths and ends, not at roots.

FAQs About Gel Casts

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about getting and removing gel casts on curly hair:

Is a gel cast the same as crunchy hair?

Yes, “crunchy hair” refers to the hardness and stiffness caused by a gel cast. Both terms describe how hair feels temporarily after gelled styles dry.

Can you scrunch out a gel cast on wet hair?

You can attempt to gently break the cast while hair is still damp, but this risks disrupting your curl pattern. It’s best to wait until completely dry.

Should your hair be wet or dry before applying gel?

Always apply gel to freshly washed, dripping wet hair. Applying gel to dry hair will cause flakes and prevent an even cast from forming across strands.

Can you diffuse curly hair with a gel cast?

Yes, diffusing is fine with a gel cast and can help hair dry faster. Just don’t attempt to scrunch out the crunch until your hair is fully dry. Diffusing wet hair can cause frizz.

Does a gel cast go away on its own?

A light gel cast will slowly soften over the day after drying. But for a hard cast, you need to actively scrunch it out with your fingers once fully