What Causes Hair Static & How to Fight It
Hair static, frizz and flyaways happen to the best of us, especially during the winter months. On top of dry skin and chapped lips, the cold winter air makes escaping the static electricity seem impossible. To better understand how to get rid of hair static and tame your flyaways, you need to know a bit more about what causes it. Read on for our best tips and tricks to retain moisture, minimize frizz, and get rid of hair static once and for all.
So, Why Is My Hair So Staticky?
Staticky hair happens when your hair builds up an electrical charge. If you need a refresher on the science, we've got you covered! Static electricity is created when two unlike objects rub against each other, causing electrons from one object to be transferred to the other. The object that loses the electrons gets a positive charge, while the object that gains electrons get a negative charge.
An easy example is hat hair. When the material of your hat rubs against the strands of your hair, they swap electrons. This swap causes a kind of electric charge to build up on your hair. If there is humidity in the air, the charge can usually just go away. However, if there isn’t any humidity or moisture in your hair, like on a dry winter morning, the charge causes your strands to repel from another like a magnet. Electric charges don't flow through water, so the lack of humidity typically found in winter months makes hair static more prominent. This also explains why dry and damaged hair is more prone to hair static.
In short, your hair static happens because your hair is literally so full of electrons that it can’t stand itself. Now, that you know what causes static electricity let’s talk about the ways to fight it.
HOW TO GET RID OF STATIC ELECTRICITY IN YOUR HAIR
1) Turn To Hair Oils
One of the main reasons your hair is conducting an electric charge is likely because it's dehydrated. During the winter months, our strands can become dry due to lack of moisture in the air. The combination of cold winds with warm indoor heat are not doing your hair any favors. To remedy this, give your hair some TLC by nourishing your strands with a multi-benefit hair oil that tames frizz and seals in moisture.
2) Upgrade To An Ionic Hair Dryer
In order to help balance your hair’s natural charge, try using an ionic hair dryer when drying your strands. Unlike traditional blow dryers, ionic dryers work by emitting negative ions. Since water ions are positively charged, the negative ions effectively help separate water molecules from hair strands. This process not only helps to dry your hair faster, but ionic dryers also use less heat, reducing heat damage and creating a frizz-free finish.
3) Fight Frizz
Don’t let fly-aways get the best of your hair. Our favorite remedy for fighting hair static is our Frizz Dismiss Anti-Static Oil Mist, a lightweight, anti-frizz spray. Like the rest of our Frizz Dismiss line, the formula features sustainably-sourced Babassu Oil for enhanced smoothness, manageability and shine.
4) Swap Out Your Hat
Say goodbye to hat hair without ditching your hat. Instead of cotton lined or acrylic hats, opt for headwear with silk or satin lining. These gentler materials allow your hair to lie flat while avoiding any unnecessary friction or damage from your hat. Instead your hair will glide across the material, preventing frizz, static and dreaded hat hair.
5) Comb With Hairspray
Your must have travel companions this winter: hairspray and a metal comb. To tame frizz, spray the metal comb with hairspray and comb hair from root to tip. While the hairspray tames fly-aways without leaving your hair crunchy, the metal comb works magic on static. As you comb, any static in your hair will attach the metal instead of your strands. How cool?
6) Add Leave-In Conditioner To Your Routine
7) Replenish Hair’s Moisture
You may find that harsh winter weather can zap your hair of its moisture and leave it feeling dry. If this is the case, upgrade your shampoo. Our go-to staple for moisture is All Soft Shampoo and Conditioner. Made with ingredients like argan oil, this line helps soften brittle hair and leave it feeling manageable. With the right moisturizing care, you can bring your dry hair back to life and minimize static throughout the winter.
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