The Reason Why You Get Static Hair and How to Get Rid of It

Understand why it’s happening

As mentioned, winter weather is the catalyst to some hairy issues, but static is top of the list. Thanks to the dry air outside and inside your home this season, your strands become dehydrated, which ignites a positive charge to the atoms in your hair. When there’s a positive charge that can’t be released into your environment, static stays put on your strands.

Although all hair types are susceptible to static, thinner hair is more at risk because of its lighter weight. The chemical structure of damaged and dry hair attracts more positive charge as well.

Then, there are your cold-weather accessories. Your beanies and oversized scarves, whether they’re wool or synthetic fibered, cause friction with your hair and that encourages more flying wisps. Try swapping them out for some silk-lined accessories.

Keep hair hydrated

While your personal water intake should always be top of mind, it’s important to keep your hair moisturized as well. We’re not suggesting to dump a bottle of oil on your hair, even though, oil might become your new best friend. Instead, incorporate a light leave-in treatment into your routine—especially if your hair is more porous (meaning it absorbs products quickly)—as it will support and strengthen your normal conditioning regimen. The moisture from a leave-in neutralizes the charge in your hair, thus decreasing static. Find a leave-in with nutritive ingredients, such as castor seed oil, jojoba seed oil, and shea butter that will penetrate, restore, and continually protect your hair against static.

For an added boost, apply the treatment before bed and sleep on a silk pillowcase to lock in moisture and decrease friction.

Style accordingly

Yes, a little styling magic here and there can reduce your chances of having a major case of the flyaways. Remember that leave-in? Grab it and smooth the formula over spots that experience the most static. For shorter hair, you could get into the slicked-back look or have fun with hair accessories like silky headbands and clips. Longer hair will benefit from a simple ponytail or bun, as those styles help hair absorb the product. Finally, avoid harsh styling methods, such as heavy brushing and daily use of heat tools.

Always be prepared

Controlling static hair is not a one-time fix. So, when you’re out and about, carry a loose dryer sheet in your bag to quickly (and gently) rub away static. You could even try swapping out your hats for earmuffs to cut down on friction.