You can get static hair anytime during the year but it usually is more noticeable or more difficult to manage in the winter. So you might think, ‘Why is my hair static all of a sudden’? Let’s break down what are static hair causes, static hair remedies, and lastly, static hair products.
What Causes Static Hair?
Static hair happens when your hair builds up an electric charge caused by friction (think of rubbing a balloon on your head when you were a kid) or mainly a change in humidity aka moisture in the air.
Also, check out my blog post about protein overload as that might be contributing to your dry, brittle hair.
Basically, your hair is full of electrons that can’t stand themselves and repel each other, leaving it frizzy-looking and hard to style/control hair.
Also, if you have hair on the thinner side, you might experience static hair more than someone with thicker or coarse hair.
But don’t fret, I have a huge list of things for your static hair remedy tool belt.
Static Hair Remedies
- Moisturizing Shampoos – Since static hair is due to lack of moisture, let’s work it back into our routine, especially for the winter. This will also help with a dehydrated scalp that can happen in the winter.
- Never Forget Conditioner – Once again, we need hydration so NEVER skip conditioner. IDK why you would in the first place. But if you are using a shampoo that isn’t moisturizing, but for cleansing like a shampoo should do and has surfactants (sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, and ammonium lauryl sulfate) that can contribute to the electricity, conditioners help counteract that.
- Use a deep conditioner mask or treatment weekly – Condition and hydrate! Sometimes regular conditioner isn’t enough for dry or damaged hair so adding this into your routine will not only help the health of your hair but your static hair problem.
- Have A Leave-In Conditioner on Hand – If you are exposed to the dry climate to and from your destination, a leave-in conditioner or hair oil is good to have on hand to apply. Just apply a little and lightly apply on the top of your hair.
- Add Hair Oils Into Your Hair Routine – Adding moisture is our goal this winter. While oils sound scary, they aren’t, they help lock in the moisture that your leave in conditioner or even water present in your strands. Oils can only help with hydration if there is water/moisture already present.
- Water In a Pinch – Water can help the hair lay down if you are in a pinch as the lack of water is what caused the issue in the first place. Lightly get your hands wet and run down your hair to calm down the flyaways.
- Stay Away From Drying Products – Static hair usually means dry hair so adding drying products to your hair….what are you doing? Switch from sulfates to moisturizing shampoos for the winter. Avoid drying alcohols in products such as gels, styling foams, and dry shampoos as well. Drying alcohols include ethanol, SD alcohol, SD alcohol 40, denatured alcohol, propanol, propyl alcohol, & isopropyl alcohol.
- Shampoo Less – The more you shampoo your hair, the more you strip your hair from its natural oils that nourish your hair and scalp. Find what works for you but try 2 days a week but at least once a week, please, your scalp needs it!
- Limit Heat Styling and Protect Your Hair – Heat styling can drain your hair of moisture. If your hair is super dry or thinning, this tip is especially for you. And always use a heat protectant before you blow-dry or other heat styling which can act as anti-static protection.
- Silk Lined Hats – Cotton or acrylic lined hats, taking them on and off all day will just add to the static electricity in your hair strands. Look for hats that are lined with silk or satin to help your hair lie flatter and will glide across the material to avoid static and hat hair. (I linked some down below)
- Don’t Use Plastic Combs or Hair Brushes – Plastic combs and brushes can cause static electricity. Look for brushes with boar-bristle brushes and wooden combs, but avoid plastic and especially metal as they can be harsh on the hair shaft and lead to breakage. (I linked some down below)
- Upgrade To Ionic Blow Dryer – To help with your hair’s natural charge, switch to an ionic blow dryer. Ionic blow dryers work by emitting negative ions to help separate water molecules. (I linked some down below)
Note: You might have heard dryer sheets work and they can, but they can cause irritation on sensitive or dry scalps. I would only use it as a last resort and not often.
Additional Tips:
- Satin/Silk sheets and pillowcases
- Use light hold hairspray
- Apply extra moisturizer, face or body, to strands
- Get a humidifier
- Opt for an updo
Silk Lined Hats
Healthy Hair Brushes
Ionic Blow Dryers
**All of Gigi Pip’s Felt hats are satin lined!
Static Hair Products
Leave-In Conditioners, Treatments, and Oils
Color Wow Anti-Frizz Treatment – An award-winning hair treatment that acts like a mini keratin treatment transforming all hair types, creating silky, frizz-free results with humidity-blocking technology that lasts 3-4 shampoos. Apply to wet hair and blow-dry to activate.
Pureology Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Leave-In – A multitasking, leave-in treatment that primes hair for heat, detangles, protects from damage, and adds shine from root to tip. Use on damp hair and comb prior to styling. For fine hair, apply in the shower and detangle and rinse the remaining product from the hair to remove unwanted weight.
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask – Clinically proven treatment that strengthens damaged hair and helps prevent future damage.
Dae Prickly Pear Hair Oil – A multi use, prickly-pear-infused hair treatment and styler that strengthens, softens, detangles, prevents breakage, and fights frizz. Use on dry hair to smooth, soften, and style. Use on damp hair as a detangler and to prevent breakage.
Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil – A first-of-its-kind, highly concentrated, ultra-lightweight, reparative styling oil. Use on damp or dry hair.
Heat Protectants and Finishing Sprays
Tresemme Heat Protectant – Thermal Creations heat protection spray for hair is heat-activated to help guard against harsh styling damage and hold your hair shape. Spray on hair before applying heat. Use on wet hair before blow-drying or dry hair before other heat styling.
Arvazallia Heat Protectant – Contains highly effective Anti-frizz and detangling agents to help eliminate frizz and improve the flexibility and manageability of your hair. Spray over hair prior to heat styling.
ExStatyk Anti Static Spray – Neutralizes and calms statically charged hair by evenly distributing ionic charges. Mist onto fingers and work through dry hair and apply to areas most prone to static, particularly the ends. Only use a small amount.
R+Co Foil Frizz and Static Control Spray – Long-lasting barrier to unwanted moisture and eliminating static. Protects hair against damage and dehydration + controls. Use the spray when your hair is dry and brush or run your fingers through.
Bumble & Bumble Dry Oil Finishing Spray – This lightweight, frizz-taming micro-mist deeply moisturizes and softens dry hair. This UV-protective formula delivers radiance and frizz control, without collapsing styles. Use it as a final step in your hairstyling routine. For thin hair, apply to hands first.
Garnier Hair Care Fructis Style Frizz Guard Anti-Frizz Dry Spray – Lightweight, water-free, and paraben-free formula, with argan oil from Morocco to instantly zap away frizz, static, and flyaways. Use it as a hairspray to finish off the look but keep in mind this doesn’t have a hold like a hairspray. It’s strictly for anti-frizz/static.
Other Products
NS Anti-Frizz Sheets – The molecules in the oil are small enough to penetrate the hair shaft and lock moisture in. These sheets will instantly add moisture and shine to frizzy or dull locks. Some reviews say that you will have to use the entire sheet and that the coconut oil makes their hair look greasy so start with a little where it’s really bad and use more of the sheet as you go. I would only use this as a last resort but good to have if you have static or even frizzy hair.
Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Anti-Frizz Serum – With the frizz-taming power of Moroccan argan oil, this Anti Frizz serum penetrates into frizzy, dry, unmanageable hair for lasting smoothness and shine. Dispense 1 pump of serum, or as much as needed, into your hands. Apply uniformly to damp or dry hair. Do not rinse.
What are your anti-static hair tips?
XO, Annie
