Shocked by the Static in Your Hair? Here’s How to Avoid being Electrified

Days are getting shorter and the air is getting colder. That means it’s time for crunchy leaves, the first snowfall, and static hair. If you feel that familiar zap every time you touch a doorknob, or if your hair stands on end when you pull on your favorite sweater, you are certainly not alone. Here’s why your hair gets electrified in the first place and a few tips for stopping it in its tracks.

Why Your Hair is Staticky

To put it as simply as possible, static hair is hair that has been charged with electricity. Scientifically, every atom in your hair is made of protons, neutrons, and electrons. As those atoms bump and move against each other, one can lose an electron, thus becoming positively charged, while the other loses an electron and becomes negatively charged. This is what causes your hair to stand on end, and it’s also what causes that crackling sound you sometimes here when you try to brush through the static.

Who’s at Risk – and When?

Before diving into the quick fixes for static hair, it’s important to understand who is most susceptible as well as when and why that susceptibility occurs. People who have fine hair are by far more likely to experience this literally hair-raising phenomenon because fine hair tends to expand more readily than coarse or even normal hair. It’s most likely to occur in winter because there is less humidity in the air than before, which makes it much easier for the electron transfers that cause static in the first place.

What You Can Do to Control Static in Your Hair

No matter what type of hair you have, there are several different ways in which you can fight static and keep every strand in its place. These include:

• Using dryer sheets. You heard that right. Rubbing a dryer sheet in any scent you prefer can help get rid of that unwanted static. It’s temporary, so carry a few sheets with you at all times, and make sure to rub down your combs and brushes before you use them, too.
• Spraying with hairspray or using leave in conditioners. Hairspray is a great way to keep electrons from transferring, so give your hair a quick spritz in the morning. You might also find that certain leave-in conditioners can also weigh your hair down just enough to prevent it from standing up.
• Rub hair with a dab of hand or body lotion. If you don’t have anything else handy, these can certainly do the trick – but don’t rely on it for the long-term. These products often have chemicals that can dry your hair out or even cause your color to fade, so use them sparingly – or be prepared to head to the salon for a color refresher.

Though static in your hair won’t necessarily hurt you (until you touch something metal, that is), it can be a pain – and it can be unsightly, too. Aside from the tips above, avoiding plastic brushes and ensuring that you wear clothing made only from natural fibers can go a long way toward keeping your strands where they belong.