What Causes Static In Hair And How To Deal With It

If you’re dealing with hair frizz this time of year, you’re probably not alone. Dry, cold conditions can lead to dry skin – but it can also do a number on your hair. What causes static in hair in the first place? And what can you do if you have strands of hair sticking up in all directions because of static cling?

As it turns out, there are a lot of safe, effective methods you can use to keep this from happening. Here’s a look at why static hair occurs and some handy ways to prevent it.

Cold And Dry Weather Can Wreak Havoc On Your Strands: What Causes Static In Hair?

It never fails. You’re going out for a night on the town – or even worse, heading for a job interview or an important meeting – and your hair starts to stick out the second you leave the door. Why is this happening? There’s a little science behind the explanation.

You see, rubbing two objects together causes static electricity. This happens because one object becomes positively charged (because it loses electrons) while the other becomes negatively charged (it gains ions).¹

If the weather is cold, you might decide to wear some sort of head covering in order to stay warm, like a nice hat. When you take the hat off, electrons transfer from the hat to your hair. Each hair strand will try to separate from the other hairs because they’ve all been charged by those electrons. Your hair has just become a victim of static electricity as a result.²

Hair Products To Prevent Static: Leave-In Conditioner, Hair Spray, And Moisturizer

If you’re frustrated with static hair, you can find a lot of products to help end your frustration for good. All you need to do is go to your nearest grocery store or beauty salon to find them. These are just a few examples of ways to get rid of the frizz and tame flyaways.

Leave-In Conditioner

Using a leave-in conditioner might help keep your hair from getting too dry and frizzing out. Dry hair promotes static. The reason is that when hair is dry, the ends act somewhat like the ends of a magnet. They repel each other, and that causes them to stand up.³ Conditioners that help seal in moisture might keep that from happening.⁴

Leave-in conditioner is just like it sounds. You leave it in rather than washing it out. Once you apply it, you can style your hair as usual.⁵

Changing your conditioning routine may also help you fight static and frizz. Try using conditioner more often, especially if you only use it once in a while. A quality hair conditioner not only adds moisture, it may also help neutralize those electrical charges you learned about earlier.^6,7

Moisturizer

Leave-in moisturizers, in addition to conditioner, can really help your hair defend itself from static. Just rub a small amount between your hands and apply to the ends of your hair. You’ll need to keep it away from the roots, though, because that may make your hair appear greasy.^8,9

Styling Tips To Prevent Static Hair Frizz

The way you style your hair can be just as important in reducing static as the products you put in your hair. For starters, consider using an ionic blow dryer. Ionic hair dryers can help minimize static and frizz. This type of dryer is best for people with thicker hair, however. If you have thin hair, the ions may make your hair limp.¹⁰

Another thing you can do is to think about using a metal or wooden comb or brush instead of plastic. Metal conducts electricity. As a result, a metal comb and brush will take electrons from your hair, reducing static in the process. Plastic combs and brushes don’t conduct electricity. They could make your static cling worse.¹¹

One Tip You Probably Never Considered

Did you know that a dryer sheet could also help reduce static in your hair? It’s true. Dryer sheets can help keep clothes static-free. Turns out, they might do the same for your tresses. Stash fabric softener sheets in your purse, backpack, or in the car for a quick static cling solution for your hair, or rub them on your comb and brush before you style.¹²

Other Ways To Tackle Frizz: Use A Humidifier And Try Argan Oil

If you’ve tried everything previously mentioned, don’t despair. There are other potential ways to conquer your static hair problem. A humidifier can keep your skin moisturized, and it may also keep your hair from falling victim to static electricity.¹³

A weekly argan oil regimen could also help. Not only does it smell great, it also adds moisture and luster. Just rub a dab about the size of a dime in your hands and massage it into your hair after you blow dry. It may help prevent static, and it may also make your hair appear smoother and shinier.¹⁴

These are just a few of the ways you can finally tame flyaways due to static hair. Hopefully, these tips will help you avoid the aggravation and frustration static electricity can cause.

Learn More:
Fashion Tips: How To Pull Off Short Hair And Some Cute Short Haircuts
Do Hair Dryers Cause Damage To Your Hair? And Can You Do Anything To Help The Heat Damage?
How To Naturally Style Your Hair For Beachy Waves

Sources
1 https://www.loc.gov/everyday-mysteries/item/how-does-static-electricity-work/
2 https://www.loc.gov/everyday-mysteries/item/how-does-static-electricity-work/
3 https://metro.co.uk/2017/12/15/get-rid-static-hair-causes-7163471/
4 https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-get-rid-of-static-from-hair#prevention
5 https://www.ipsy.com/blog/how-to-use-leave-in-conditioner
6 https://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Static-Electricity-in-Your-Hair
7 https://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Static-Electricity-in-Your-Hair
8 https://www.hairbuddha.net/prevent-static-hair/
9 https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/fashion-beauty/hair-advice/a555691/how-to-stop-static-hair-products-tips-tricks/
10 http://www.hairdryerhouse.com/ionic-vs-regular-hair-dryer/
11 https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-get-rid-of-static-from-hair#prevention
12 https://www.womenfitness.net/dryer-sheets/
13 https://parade.com/227552/ashleighschmitz/5-ways-to-fight-hair-static-this-winter/
14 https://hair.allwomenstalk.com/tips-to-reduce-hair-static-in-winter/