How to get rid of static in your hair

In the winter there is less humidity in the air and the heating in our homes is a dry heat, so you can imagine how that dryness affects our hair! During the cold season comes the inevitable static electricity that collects in the hair and tends to build up when we brush the hair, removing a sweater, hat, scarf, etc. Sound familiar? Let's look at some tips and tricks to lessen static cling and stop flyaway hair!

The laundry room is the first place to head if you are looking for an immediate solution to static-y hair. Try rubbing a dryer sheet on your hairbrush and then brushing your hair; or better yet, rub the dryer sheet directly onto your hair to encourage the hair to lie flat against your head. Dryer sheets are formulated to discourage static electricity production in the dryer so why not use it for your hair?

*An easy trick (that won’t involve visiting the laundry room) is using hair spray. Spray a generous amount of hairspray on your hairbrush and brush your hair thoroughly while the brush is still damp. This technique also works well when sprayed onto a tissue and rubbed across the hair.

*Hair spray isn’t the only styling aid useful in this situation…hair gel can also be helpful not only to control static but to tame those pesky flyaways! Squirt a small amount of gel into your hands and rub them together and then lightly rub your hands through your hair.

*If you’re in a pinch and away from the bathroom, try using hand lotion! Rub the lotion completely into your hands and run them over you hair. Make sure to use a small amount though to prevent hair from looking oily.

*Wetting your hands or brush with clean water and patting down or brushing your hair to smooth static-filled strands is also an option but if you have already gone to the trouble of styling your hair, this may not be a sensible choice.

Although quick fixes are gratifying, a little prevention never hurts either!

Using conditioner is a good routine to get into for many reasons but putting moisture back into the hair is the main one, which also helps to reduce the static. You should use a regular conditioner for daily use or a deep conditioning treatment once a week (or more if you feel your hair needs it) for a more intense result. If you decide to use a deep conditioner, try this little trick for the best results!

*After you’ve applied the treatment to the hair and scalp (you think your scalp isn’t dry too?), dip a towel in hot water. Rinse out the water and wrap your hair in the warm towel. The heat helps open up the hair cuticle allowing more of the moisture to seep in. Leave for 30 minutes and shampoo.

Last but not least, avoid brushes made of synthetic fibres. Brushes made of wood and/or have natural fibre bristles are best because they don‘t hold a charge as easily as synthetic ones such as plastic or vinyl do.

I hope that at least one of these tips and tricks will help you in the fight against the winter hair blues and chin up…spring is around the corner!