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If you’ve got hair, odds are you’ve got hair problems. Yes? And static hair is just one of the most common types. Heard of frizz? How about fly-aways? Read on to learn how to get rid of static hair with one simple fix.
Have a Static Problem? Don’t Worry.
Static hair is a constant source of trouble and pain for many of us. Or it’s seasonal. Either way, static hair is here to stay, and it’s up to us to understand it. Thank goodness we can!
The authorities say moisturizing is the solution. That’s one approach. Some say humidity is the culprit, and we should move heaven and earth to avoid it. Yet dozens of products line the shelves at our local salons expressly made to combat the minor plague that is static hair. Makes me think the authorities are really on to something with the moisturizing theory.
Static hair is real. If you’ve questioned your own static hair conundrum, you’re not alone. Millions suffer. And there’s loads of research just waiting for you to discover how to rectify static hair. The cause and solution are a bit more complicated than you might imagine.
What Causes Static Hair?
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Static hair is a universal human trait that’s characterized by excessively unruly and frizzy, unkempt hair. It presents itself in head hair as well as hair in every region of the body. Static hair occurs for everybody.
It’s just more prominent for specific hair types than others. But the explanation for what causes static hair is the same for us all. If you’ve ever woken up in the morning, or gone through a long humid day, when your hair just won’t cooperate, you’ll understand.
Static hair isn’t just a theoretical problem: it’s a real deal. Explanations are in order. If you’ve ever wondered why you were born with static hair (and born with a sort of curse) keep reading.
Going Back to School
Let’s return to physics class. It’s a start. We’re learning about static electricity. It occurs when two objects that don’t like each other make contact. Electrons, which are components of each building block in the universe, including hair, either attract or repel each other.
When they attract, electricity works according to plan. When electrons get charged, then we start to notice anomalies. Our hair gets fried when they repel. Guess which way the electrons in our hair react when they go all frizzy.
Repel? Ten points.
They do this for several reasons. Mostly, hair electrons build up negative charges when we put our hair in extreme situations. If we wear a hat, the material in the garment rubs against your hair and charges it, so the electrons are out of whack.
Usually, we don’t notice when our hair has gathered a charge. But low humidity and low moisture tend to make these charges a “big deal,” to say the least.
Like a magnet, our hair gets frizzy, staticy and problematic when the humidity is low, and the electrons have nowhere to go but out. And our hair goes out, out, out, out, too!
Why Does Static Hair Happen?
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Try as hard as you might, there’s no controlling the electrons in our body. That’s a fact. The electrons in our hair are especially vulnerable to climate, weather conditions, and our environment. That means you’ve got to come to terms with it.
But you can improve your static hair problems by understanding why static hair happens. Hairstylists are the first authorities to turn to when we have complaints about the weird and crazy world of hair. What do stylists have to say about static hair?
Winter air is the worst for hair. Low humidity and the fashion to wear lots of caps and hats don’t help. The normal electron charge in our hair gets turned on its head in the winter. Frizz and difficult hair management problems are the chief results.
Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror and wondered why your hair seems to have a mind of its own? Check. You suffer from static hair. It’s impossible to tame flyaways on your own. Flyaways are the most common sign of static hair. We’ve all been there.
How to Get Rid of Static Hair
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Good question. There are a few answers:
- Use avocado oil. Celebrity hairstylists agree that dry hair is the number one reason for static. Avocado oil provides the best moisturizing agents to replenish even the driest hair.
- Test out leave-in solutions. In the winter, taming hair is an Olympian struggle. Leave-in moisturizers are a great way to keep hair fresh, straight, and tamable.
- Seal in moisture with thermal protectors. High temps dry hair quick. Fight the frizz by tossing a few doses of thermal protector serums in your hair to keep it split-end free.
- Ionic Dryers are a big yes. Upgrade to ionic hair dryers to neutralize static hair.
Read Next: Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer Review
The Best Solution: Condition, Condition, Condition.
Winter air isn’t the only time of year we struggle with static hair. Some of us have to tame the jungle year-round. Where do you turn to gain an ally in this perennial fight? Conditioners. Haircare products will save us all.
Conditioners in particular are designed to flood our hair with organic chemical compounds built to straighten and tame our winter manes. Don’t skip conditioners in the shower. All moisturizing products may seem to be the answer, but conditioners are the true saviors when it comes to frizz and flyaways.
Try a deep conditioning mask or treatment if your hair is dehydrated. After any application of a moisturizing shampoo, keep your conditioner close. Conditioners counteract all the surfactant ingredients that show up in shampoos. Shampooing without a conditioner aperitif? A recipe for frizz!
Read Next: How Often Should You Do a Hair Mask and Best Hair Masks
Don’t Overuse Shampoo or Heat
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Dermatologists recommend that the majority of hair product users use less. Why? Hot tools can bleed your hair of moisture, a critical component of avoiding static hair.
Shampooing less often is an easy way to allow essential oils (oils that are designed to keep your hair protected and moisturized) do their magic. Shampooing dissolves these oils, leaving your hair unmoisturized and vulnerable. Used sparingly, shampoo is an integral part of hair hygiene. Used too much? A recipe for disaster.
Frizz and static will dramatically reduce if you cut your shampoo frequency in half. It might seem like you’re cutting corners on personal hygiene, but you’re not. Don’t shampoo every day, and you’ll reap the rewards with silky smooth hair year-round.
Read Next: How to Get Rid of Frizzy Hair
Things to Consider
There’s not a single human who doesn’t care for their hair in one way or another. Fight back against static hair and frizz with the following tips and tricks:
- Pull long hair up in a braid or bun to keep strands from too much static.
- Say no to plastic combs: they conduct way too much electricity to do your hair any good. Boar-bristle and wooden combs are a clear favorite.
- Try anti-frizz sheets. Companies like Nunzio Saviano have new products that work.
- Part your hair differently. Winter hats wreck our domes, but we can take back control of our manes by altering the part. Don’t go all winter long with the same hairstyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We’ve all got hair issues. And most of us are seeking the same answers.
Is Frizz Similar to Static Hair?
To the eye, they look similar. But the physics reveal differences. Frizz is the sign that your hair is naturally curly and kinky regardless of humidity levels. Static hair is environmental. It changes with humidity levels and electron charges in the air.
Read Next: How to Get Rid of Frizzy Hair
What Does It Take to Get Rid of Static Hair?
You can’t control the climate and humidity of the environment in which you live, but you can control how your hair reacts to the environment by giving it a little bit of protection. Quality conditioners and lightweight leave-ins with an oil substructure are a good start.
Why Do I Have Static Hair?
It’s not just you. Everyone suffers to an extent. Five hundred years ago, everyone suffered from static hair and didn’t think twice about it. Today, we are lucky enough to know why. Static hair occurs when we contact hair with foreign surfaces.
Foreign surfaces? We mean hats, sweaters, brushes, other people, carpets, and handheld tools. Anytime you touch something besides you, static pulses up to your hair.
How Can I Style My Hair to Reduce Static Hair?
People with long hair should arrange their hair to reduce the number of flyaway strands. Buns and tight braids are the obvious first choice. Styling your hair in a bun or braid also has its advantages. Your hair will develop a beautiful wave that you can flaunt the next day.
People spend hours with a curling iron or thousands of dollars every year to get waves. Now, you can combat static while, at the same time, cut down on your styling requirements. Simply place a bun or braid your hair, and you’ll counteract static hair without a second thought … and … have gorgeous waves the next day.
So, What Is Static Hair?
Let’s recap. Static hair is not your fault. It is evidence of a physical exchange between you and an external, charged entity. Anytime you press a hat against your head, slide across a carpeted floor, or shake hands with a loved one, static builds up in your hair.
Very few people encourage frizz and dry hair in their lifestyle. Yet, static hair occurs naturally, no matter what you do to eliminate the causes. Try deep conditioners, thermal protectors, leave-in conditioners, and non-electron conductive combs instead.