Figuring out the most effective method to get rid of flyaways, frizz, and static hair seems always to be a battle. There are, however, some things that make it even worse. For instance, I always feel like every time winter comes around, I am bombarded with a plethora of new beauty issues—from chapped lips and dry skin to static-ridden and lifeless hair that hangs around my head like Einstein’s. Of all these cosmetic issues, static hair is the most annoying. In this respect, I sometimes feel that however hard I try, I don’t manage to fight the flyaways. Let’s talk about How to make hair less static.
Why does hair static happen?
Static hair is brought about when “your hair builds up an electric charge, meaning it has gained some extra electrons thanks to friction or a change in humidity,” famous hairstylist and T3 Stylist Ambassador Bridget Brager revealed. It won’t be able to lie flat because the positive and negative electrons oppose each other, and as a result, your hair will be sticking out in every direction and be very hard to handle.
But what first causes those electrically charged strands? Probably dry air. According to Brager, “Winter is usually the worst season for static hair because the air is often low or nonexistent in humidity, and putting on and taking off a hat and scarves causes friction.” Overdrying or using too much heat on your hair can also be a major cause.
This is a step-by-step guide on how to reduce static in your hair.
Use a moisturizing shampoo in the first place
The easiest way to ensure your hair has the hydration it needs to fight off frizz, static, or other annoying weather-related side effects is to keep it moisturized. For star stylist Deycke Heidorn, however, it all begins with the basics—good dry-hair-friendly shampoo and conditioner: “Your hair shaft stays nourished and supple when you use the right hair care products, and your scalp keeps its natural oil and moisture balance.”
DON’T EVER SKIP THE CONDITIONERS
While using moisturizing products is essential, the role of the conditioner in the battle with frizz is more than important. The conditioners are made to neutralize the potency of a few of those surfactants in shampoos that could actually be responsible for charging your hair as they cleanse it. Yes, they are also made to seal the cuticle of the hair and make it manageable and shiny all at once. However, the most crucial reason to always condition, particularly in the fight against frizz or static, is the issue of charge.
Deep condition with a mask or treatment for your hair on a regular basis
You may discover that regular conditioning doesn’t give you the moisture your hair needs to achieve a good texture and luster. At all. Sometimes, it is dry in the first place, sometimes because something bad happened to it after that. In either case, deep-conditioning with a mask or treatment will get your hair shiny and bouncy weekly or so.
Use a leave-in while on the go
You have the best combination of hair treatments to try out at home, but severe weather taking place on your commute and during your lunch hours can ruin the whole look. Keep a small bottle of hair oil or leave-in conditioner in your handbag, and this should be easy to fix. According to Heidorn, “dissolve a small amount in the palms of your hands and run your fingers through your hair.” “Your hair will become manageable again because the product’s moisture and oil will eliminate the electric charge that causes static.”
Products that contain drying ingredients should be avoided
You read nutrition labels on food products to know what’s in them, and the same is true for hair products. Sulfates are among the numerous chemicals in shampoos and conditioners that are used to cleanse one’s hair and scalp. But those with curls may want to be careful with these. They could be way too drying for those whose hair is of a naturally dry kind, making it frizzy. Also, look for isopropyl alcohol because it’s often an additive in dry shampoos, gels, and styling foams. Some alcohols dry out your scalp and hair.
Reinvent your part to escape the static hat head
Seeing as it’s literally freezing outside, hats are a winter necessity. But they can really mess up your hair, leaving it scrambled, dry, and lifeless. To fight the hat head, try switching the part of your hair while rocking your hat to the opposite side from how you normally do it. Vanessa Ungaro, co-founder of the salon Lauren + Vanessa Hair and Beauty, does this every time. She explains to SELF, “You’ll not only have static-free locks, but you’ll also have a tonne of volume when you take off your hat and flip your hair over to your usual part.”
Shampoo a little less
More on the human aspect of your hair: each time, the more shampoo you use takes away the oils. Instead of washing your hair every single day, try shampooing every other day. This may or may not apply to you lovelies out there who are rocking so hard that the workout clothes have their zip code to escape losing another article of clothing to the machine. Neither is it applicable to you if you have the problem of really oily hair. But ideally, you should look at not treating launder day in whatever sense that you can afford if you are worried about frizz or static.
Style lightly with heat and keep it safe
Often, dermatologists recommend less heat styling when your hair is dry or thinning because styling with hot tools can make hair parched. That fact is also behind the reason Ungaro styles every client she works with using a heat-protection spray. “You can help keep moisture locked into your hair by using a heat protector spray,” she advises. Before using a blow dryer, mist the heat protector to seal it in anti-static protection and add gloss.
Carelessly pick up and relocate the hair out of the way
If long enough, go for a bun or braid to avoid static strands. And, of course, you can’t walk around all day—or night—looking like you just stepped out of the salon. Ungaro says to braid or pull your hair into a tight bun if you have a slept-on braid in mind and release it when you get to where you’re going. No heat styling will be necessary for rumpled tresses.
Avoid plastic combs
Like the childhood phenomenon in which your hair would stand up if you rubbed a balloon against it, the utilization of plastic combs and brushes on your hair can result in the same static electricity, Heidorn warns. Look for alternative materials when shopping for brushes and combs—like hardwood combs and brushes with boar bristles. Heidorn says to avoid using metal combs even though they may come in handy to prevent static. They can really be rough on the hair shaft and eventually cause breaking.
Wrap your hair in a T-shirt or a Microfiber towel instead of terry cloth
Although it’s simple to throw your hair back in the same towel you use to dry your body after a shower, experts advise against doing so. According to Heidorn, “Hair really deserves a quality treatment because it is most fragile when it is wet.” This entails not vigorously massaging it.
Test out anti-frizz sheets
A good example of such strange advice—if you’ve ever heard—could be that of using dryer sheets to eliminate static on your hair. Most stylists would not advise that. The reason is simple: laundry sheets are not created for the hair or the skin. They would rather irritate the skin, especially if it is dry or sensitive.
In summary
Although static hair can be a nuisance, with the right products and methods, you can achieve manageable, elastic hair. Incorporate these tips into your hair care routine to reduce static so you can enjoy gorgeous, healthy hair, no matter the season.