Winter Means Staticky Hair, Here’s What to Do About It

Arggg, That Time of Year Again

Cooler winter temperatures mean fireside cuddles, pumpkin spice lattes, holiday parties, and annoying staticky hair. It is inevitable, as soon as the heat starts getting cranked up inside the house and inside the car, the hair starts flying away. It doesn’t seem to matter how much conditioner is used in the shower, the static just won’t seem to subside. Then you have strands of hair sticking to your neck, ruining your lip-gloss, and sticking straight up on end for the world to see.

What Causes Staticky Hair?

Hair static is caused by static electricity, an imbalance of the electrical charges between two materials. Basically, when two different surfaces come into contact with one another, the electrons from one material is transferred to the other material. The surface that gained an electron will have a negative charge, and the surface that lost an electron will have a positive charge. For example, when your hair strands rub against a wool cap, they begin swapping those electrons.

In the summer months when the air is full of humidity, the charge created by the swapping electrons dissipates on its own, but in the winter months, when there is very little humidity in the air the extra electrons will build up in your hair strands. This build-up causes the strands to repel each other because they are so full of electrons!

9 Ways to Bust Winter Staticky Hair

Now that you understand the science behind all that static electricity in your hair, here are a few ways that you can combat the problem during those long, dry winter months.

1. Get a new hairdryer. In order to help maintain a proper balance to your hair’s electric charge, you can switch from a regular hairdryer to an ionic one. This upgrade may do the trick because it emits negative ions that separate the water molecules in your hair strands which will lead to less drying time and less static. Plus, the ionic hair dryer works a little faster so that you can cut down on your getting ready time before work.
2. Switch your headgear. Cutting down on the friction between your hat and your hair is one of the key ways to eliminate some of that static. Instead of wearing a hat that is lined with a cotton, wool, or acrylic material, opt for headgear that is lined in silk or satin. The smoother fabric will allow the hair strands to glide easily over the fabric, in addition to less static, you will also end up with less frizz and less hat hair.
3. Don’t leave home without your metal comb. The simple act of combing through your hair with a metal comb will remove some of the built-up electrons thus removing some of the static from your hair. For best effect, spritz the comb with a little hairspray first, then you can tame the flyaway bits while removing the static.
4. Condition. During the colder months, you definitely need to up the amount of conditioner that you use on a daily basis. Some people find it helpful to switch to a leave-in conditioner for a little extra moisture. The hydrated hair strands will be less likely to grab those extra electrons and build up the static electricity. Some stylists recommend switching to a silicone-based conditioner, as well, because the silicone coats the individual hair strands which in turn will neutralize any electric charge that is produced.
5. Try a braid. Keeping your hair neatly tied together while underneath your winter hat will go a long way to preventing static-causing friction. Even if you don’t want to keep the braid or bun in all day, you can simply tie it up for the commuting bit and then let it back down, static-free, once you reach your destination.
6. Use a microfiber towel. Post-shower, skip the traditional terry cloth towel in favor of a microfiber towel or at the very least a clean tee shirt. Hair is more fragile when it is wet and wrapping it in the microfiber while squeezing the excess water out is better for it than rubbing with the terry cloth. Not only will this practice keep your hair healthier, but it will also help manage the static by ditching the aggressive rubbing.
7. Run a humidifier. Keep your hair and skin moisturized by keeping the air in your home or bedroom full of moisture with a humidifier. Not only will this trick help eliminate some of the static from your hair, but it will also help your skin feel more hydrated and your nasal passages as well!
8. Wear natural fibers. Bad news, nylon and polyester will ramp up the static factor really quick. Actually, any synthetic material is pretty much a terrible contributor to the static electricity problem on the top of your head. Try to find sweaters, jackets, scarves, gloves, and hats that are made from more natural fibers like cotton, wool, or silk. These natural materials will lead to less static in your hair.
9. Avoid rubber-soled shoes. This tip may seem a bit odd, but rubber soles accumulate electrical charges. Not only will the excess static electricity built up in your shoes cause your hair to stand on end, but it can also lead to that nasty shock you sometimes get when you touch a door handle.

Products That Help Combat Staticky Hair

If you are still having issues with staticky hair hair after trying some of the tips above, you may need to switch up your hair products. For some people, what is suitable for the summer months is not what their hair needs in the winter months. Here are a few products to consider for helping to alleviate the dreaded static cling.

1. Anti-Frizz Sheets: While some people will give the hair a wipe down with a traditional dryer sheet, it isn’t really recommended by most stylists. It will work to get rid of the static, but it is not formulated for your hair or your skin and could be an issue for some, especially those that have very sensitive skin. Instead of heading to the laundry room, try some anti-static sheets that are made specifically for hair.
2. Static Control Spray: This type of spray is generally made with things like vitamin E and argan oil to keep the hair static and frizz free. All those good-for-you ingredients will also help your hair look shiny and feel soft as well.
3. Heat Protector Spray: Before switching on that ionic hair dryer, give your hair a quick spritz with a heat protector spray. This spray will protect your locks from heat damage, add a nice shine, and give your hair anti-static protection.
4. Leave-in Conditioner: Of course, the winter weather has you breaking out the conditioner bottle, but if your static is really a problem, you may want to pop a travel-sized bottle in your purse for a little bit of conditioner while you are on the go. When you find your hair loaded with electrons and going crazy a quick swipe of conditioner through your strands should do the trick.
5. Hair Oil: If your hair isn’t already on the oily side, try adding a little hair oil during the winter months. You should focus most of the attention on the ends to avoid making the hair at the roots look greasy. Hair oil is especially helpful for people with really dry hair or who use a lot of heat for styling.

Does Straightening Cause Excess Static?

The short answer is yes, it will make your hair have more static electricity, but it isn’t really the straightener’s fault. The heat is the problem, and it would be a problem if you were using a curling iron every day instead of a straightener. The heat from the iron causes the hair to dry out and lose moisture, and the loss of moisture leads to an excess of static. However, you don’t have to go without your straightener all winter long.

Make sure that you are using a good moisturizing shampoo, and if your hair can handle it, only wash it every two or three days. When you do wash, use a really good conditioner. Plus, a hot oil or deep conditioning treatment once a week will go a long way towards putting the moisture back into your straightened hair.

Another good tip is to let the hair strands air dry before flat-ironing and use a flat-iron with ceramic plates. Also, don’t forget to use your protective hair serum or heat protector spray before getting down to the business of straightening.

Related: Extensions: For Those of Us That Can’t Wait for Long Hair

What Types of Brushes or Combs are Best for Preventing Staticku Hair?

If your hair is literally standing on end in the winter months due to all of the excess static electricity, you probably want to have all of your bases covered to help combat the issue. One of those bases is your brush or comb. While we mentioned above the importance of carrying around a metal comb as a quick static reliever when you are out and about, there are a few other options for use when styling the hair in the morning as well.

Cricket makes a static-free hairbrush that has carbon-fiber bristles. These bristles are meant to reduce friction while styling so as to minimize the amount of static in your strands. Another good brush option is one that is made from natural materials instead of plastic bristles. Look for brushes that are made with a natural boar bristle, and combs that are made of wood. The metal combs mentioned above shouldn’t be used on wet hair because they can be a little too harsh on the hair shaft, but the wooden comb is a good alternative that also helps combat staticky hair.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Summer Hair Troubles

Static Busters in a Pinch

No matter how hard you try to keep to a static eliminating routine, there will come a time when you are out shopping or eating brunch with friends and you will find yourself with out-of-control staticky hair. Here are a few little tricks that will help you tame the static in a pinch:

Hand Lotion: for those times that you left your metal comb or your anti-static sheets at home, grab a little hand lotion, rub it on your hands, and then smooth it through your locks. Be careful with how much lotion you use, however, because too much will definitely have your hair looking greasy and unkempt.

Dryer Sheets: While you should definitely use the anti-static sheets instead, if you find yourself in a pinch, a dryer sheet will do the trick. Just be wary if you tend to break out in hives or end up with a face full of acne when using new skin care products.

Water: Wetting your hair with a couple handfuls of water will cut out the static frizz, but this may not be the best option if you have already spent an hour or two flat-ironing your hair for the day.

Bobby Pins: If you have a few strands that are completely out of control, try taming them with a couple of bobby pins or barrettes. While it won’t eliminate the static, it will at least keep your hair from driving you crazy.

Hair Spray: When all else fails, douse your strands with hairspray! There are plenty of sprays on the market that offer a touchable hold, and those sprays will definitely combat your staticky hair. Even if you don’t have a style that requires the heavy hold of hairspray, giving your hair a few spritzes will keep the static electricity from taking over your strands.

Now that you are armed with all of these staticky hair tips, you won’t have to spend your winter months cooped up indoors with a scarf wrapped around your head. You can go out and enjoy the brisk air confident that you will be able to tame those dreaded electrically charged locks. All it will take is a little bit of conditioner, a metal comb, and a purse full of anti-frizz sheets.  Now go and fight against staticky hair!

More Great Staticky Hair Resources:

The Best Winter Static-Fighters for Baby-Fine Hair

How To Make My Hair Not Have Static After Straightening

Tips for Staticky Hair