The Down Low on How to Get Rid of Hair Static in the Winter
Static hair occurs when our strands become electrically charged. Hair, which is already drier during the colder months, picks up an electrical charge from the air, which is also less moist. To be more specific, electrons, the negatively charged subatomic particles in our hair, move about much easier when conditions are drier. Hair retains the positively charged particles, a.k.a. protons, which, unfortunately, repel each other—giving rise to hair that moves around and flies about, generally causing flyaways, the occasional zap and blah hair days galore. So, how to get static out of hair in the winter? Those with fine, thin or dry hair can benefit from one overarching principal: use static hair-related products. And of course, a few more bonus tips, too.
Why Static Hair Products Are a Must-Have (Along With the Right Tools, Too)
1. You can get rid of static hair by switching to a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner.
Hair that’s well-moisturized from the inside out is less likely to frizz out. A highly nourishing system, such as RE-fresh Coconut & Soothe Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner drenches hair with moisture to keep it super soft and healthy-looking throughout the driest, most crackly days of the season, it further helps to prevent and get rid of hair static.
2. You might also want to reconsider your daily shampooing.
While it’s tempting for many of us to wash our hair everyday, over washing can strip the hair of its natural oils. Obviously, too much grease isn’t ideal either, but allowing an extra day or two between washes for the sebum to replenish can really help to reduce flyaway strands and hair static. Who knew, eh?
3. Another way to stop hair static? Pick up a deep-conditioning habit.
Make Sunday a self-care day—or if you’re like us, maybe even every other day—and set aside a good 10 minutes in the bath for a deep-conditioning treatment. After rinsing conditioner off your strands, apply a small dollop of a moisturizing hair mask on mid-lengths to ends (we like the rich emollients infused in Suave Professionals Moisture Mask with Almond and Shea Butter) and let it sit while you prune in the tub for a bit, soaking up all the goodness.
4. Or, you can work in a leave-in conditioner to help fix static hair.
A leave-in conditioning spray helps give you a detangling boost whenever some friction (removing a beanie, snuggling up against your S.O.’s sweater, going full-on larva with your throw while you Netflix and chill) gets the better of your hair. We like the added split-end fix we get from Bed Head by TIGI Beach Freak Moisturizing Detangler Spray. Another product must-have on the how to get rid of static hair checklist.
5. Try using a serum before styling (especially heat styling) static hair.
Anti-frizz serums, such as TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Keratin Infusion Serum, help lock in moisture when blowdrying, which is one of the most common times we’re beset with static. They also give your hair an added shine boost and guard against flyaways. Concentrate the product on your mid-lengths and ends to avoid buildup.
6. Invest in an ionic hairdryer.
Ideally, hair should be left to air dry naturally, as blow-drying too often can dehydrate your strands. While we appreciate you may be short on time in the mornings, if you feel you absolutely must blowdry your mane, we recommend replacing your usual hairdryer for an ionic one. Specially designed to neutralise the electrons in the hair, it will combat those pesky static strands.
7. Make the switch to an all-natural, boar-bristled brush.
These brushes are not made of plastic, they’re better at distributing your natural scalp oils, which can help coat strands with more moisture that helps guard against hair static.
8. Or, you can opt for a wide-toothed comb to minimize the risk of hair static.
Where possible, try to use a wide-toothed comb instead of a brush, as they’re less likely to cause friction. Of course, if your hair is especially tangled, you can use a brush to get out the worst of the knots, before switching to a comb for the rest of your head.
9. You can brush hairspray through static hair after styling to tame it, too.
Most of us tend to only reach for the hairspray when we’re trying to set a particular style, but it’s actually a really useful product when figuring out how to get rid of static hair. Whether you’ve got poker-straight strands or ultra-coily locks, try spritzing your brush or comb with some shine-enhancing hairspray, before pulling it through your mane – and just like that, it will help to keep static hair at bay! Love Beauty and Planet Light Hold & Frizz Control Coconut Milk & White Jasmine Hair Spray is an editor-favorite for leaving hair touchable, not stiff and crispy—sans any static, too.
10. Try the “dryer sheet trick.”
Okay, hear us out on this one! Dryer sheets (yes, the ones you put in the tumble dryer to stop your clothes coming out statically charged), have also been known to work wonders on the hair. Try running one down the lengths of your hair to smooth your strands in a flash.
11. And if all else fails, pull your hair back into a braid.
Do not underestimate the power of a great braid and some finishing hairspray, such as TRESemmé Compressed Micro Mist Hairspray Texture Hold Level 1, which helps protect hair while taming down any flyaways.
