Does this sound familiar - you arrive to work and pull off your hat and your hair is sticking straight up?
The combination of cold air and low humidity can result in static electricity which causes clingy clothes and flyaway hair. Not fun. While it is nearly impossible to avoid static electricity hopefully these tips I'm going to share with you will make it easier to deal with.
What causes static electricity?
Static electricity is caused by two unlike materials rubbing against each other (like rubbing a balloon on your sweater). This process causes electrons to be transferred from the surface of one material to the other. The material that loses electrons ends up with a net positive charge and the material that gains electrons ends up with a net negative charge. When this charge build up occurs on materials that don't conduct electricity very well (like dry, damaged hair) the electrons just kind of sit there. If there's enough moisture in the air, the charge can dissipate, but in very dry weather it has no place to go. This charge buildup causes hairs to repel one another (like two ends of a magnet) and that's when you get static flyaway.
How can you deal with static flyaway?
Reduce the friction that causes static - Try to cut back on combing and brushing (finger styling works better) and be careful when putting on or taking off coats, sweaters, and hats. Also, using a wooden comb or brush can help. I realize this isn't the most practical advice because you need to style your hair and you want to stay warm but you get the idea that, the more you rub stuff against your hair, the worse the flyaway will be.
Increase the conductivity of your hair - Increasing the conductivity (the ability to conduct electricity) of your hair means that the charge can be spread out and neutralized. Leave-in products are particularly good for this because they're less likely to build up on your hair over time and they can be easily reapplied during the day. L'anza's Healing Moisture Leave In Conditioner or Color Illuminator are great choices. If you don't like a leave in, you can try an anti-static spray (like Static Guard) on your brush or wipe your hair with a dryer sheet.
Improve the condition of your hair - The more porous and damaged your hair is the drier it will be and the more likely that static charge will build up. Be sure to use a good rinse-out conditioner every time you shampoo to keep hair moisturized and lessen the likelihood of charge building up in the first place. L'anza's Healing Moisture, Trauma Treatment or Keratin Healing Oil conditioners are all great choices!
Get a Brazilian Blowout - This hair smoothing treatment will help protect your hair against the cold, dry winter air, reducing frizz and static while infusing your hair with moisture and keratin to keep it strong, shiny, healthy and manageable!
Bottom Line Static electricity is pretty much unavoidable in the winter and your best bet in fighting flyaway is to keep hair healthy and moisturized. Even if you have flat, fine hair remember to keep those ends conditioned!