Static hair is annoying, for sure. But what causes it?
Static hair happens when your hair gains some extra electrons thanks to friction or low humidity. Since your strands of hair become electrically charged, they have no choice but to repel each other, which results in that frizzy appearance.
These nine tips will show you how to fix static hair so you can finally tame those wild flyaways.
1. Always use a moisturizing shampoo
Since static hair is often caused by low humidity, use a moisturizing shampoo to give your dry hair a well-deserved boost of hydration.
But don’t think that since your hair needs hydration, you must wash it daily. Even with the best moisturizing shampoo, washing your hair strips it from its natural oils.
Unless your hair is greasy, it will look much healthier if you only shampoo it every other day.
2. Don’t forget about conditioner
If using conditioner is not currently a part of your hair care routine, you need to change that.
The conditioner will seal your hair cuticles, keeping hydration and nutrients inside and making your hair softer and more manageable. It will also help eliminate the static charge that might have built up in your hair while shampooing it.
So be sure to use conditioner every single time you shampoo your hair. This should help fix your static hair! If you need product recommendations, consult with a stylist from your hair salon for help.
3. Apply leave-in conditioner when you leave your home
But what if it’s winter, and the air is very dry inside and outside your home? In that case, using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner every other day might not be enough.
To quickly soothe curly hair, apply leave-in conditioner whenever you need to. This product is especially helpful when you are on the go, as it’s easy to apply and doesn’t need to be rinsed off.
You can also try hair oil for the same mane-taming results.
4. Rely on a hair mask once in a while
When you want to treat your hair, use a deep-conditioning hair mask. These products contain ingredients that nourish, restore, and hydrate your hair. A perfect treatment to fix static hair!
Simply wash your hair normally, but instead of applying conditioner, apply your hair mask. Let it work for about 5 minutes, then rinse it out and towel dry your hair. You can do this once a week to hydrate and tame your locks.
5. Avoid ingredients like sulphates and alcohol
Most ingredients used in hair care products are good for your hair. Sulphates and alcohol, not so much.
It mostly depends on your hair type. If your hair is naturally dry and curly, sulphates and alcohol will have a drying effect, creating more frizz instead of getting rid of it.
To prevent that, ensure these ingredients are not found in your shampoo, conditioner, styling foam, gel, and any other hair product you might use.
6. Protect your hair against heat
Heat styling is particularly damaging to dry hair. Avoid using hot tools to style your hair if you can, especially when struggling with many flyaways. Your goal is to eliminate the static, not cause more of it!
If you want to style your hair with heat, use a heat protector spray. It will help you prevent damage as well as static.
7. Don’t use plastic combs or brushes
Plastic combs and brushes with plastic bristles are affordable and can easily remove frizz and static. Or can they?
The problem is that plastic combs and brushes can cause even more static. The solution is to trade them for a wooden comb and a boar-bristle brush, which will truly brush frizz away.
A metal comb could also help, but it might be less gentle on your hair shaft.
8. Never wrap your hair in a terry cloth towel
Your hair is more fragile when wet, so you must be careful what you do with it when you get out of the shower.
If you want to wrap your wet hair with a towel, it’s best to use a microfiber towel or one made specifically to wrap wet hair and take good care of it.
If you use a terry cloth towel, you might end up rubbing your hair and adding static to it without meaning to.
9. Choose hats and headbands made from natural fibres
Finally, choosing hats and headbands made from natural fibres is another simple way to fix stati hair. Natural fibres like cotton, wool or silk don’t hold electrical charges, so they won’t cause static in your hair.
On the other hand, headgear made from synthetic fibres will be more likely to cause static instead of eliminating it.