Wonder no more. Ahead, top hairstylists explain why your hair gets staticky and how to smooth down the upright strands. It tends to happen during colder months since dry, wintry conditions can exacerbate the static. “Electric charges don’t flow through water, so atmospheres without any humidity will result in much more hair static,” says hairstylist Miko Branch, co-founder of hair care brand Miss Jessie’s. “Dry, damaged hair is more prone to static, as it lacks the moisture to repel electric charges.” Add some friction to an already dry environment (hats and scarves, vigorous brushing, towel-drying, etc.), and you can easily find yourself in a hair-raising situation. On a similar detangling note, Fitzsimons also recommends using gentle strokes when brushing through your locks. A sound tip for general hair health, of course, but aggressive brushing can not only cause physical stress but more friction and static, too. “Sleep with a silk or satin pillowcase, headscarf, or cap, which allows hair to slide as you toss and turn while sleeping. Silk and satin prevent friction (which leads to hair pulling, tugging, stretching, and tangling), and these smooth fabrics help retain the hair’s natural oils,” Branch says regarding the fabric. So the fabric doesn’t just stop the friction that leads to static; it also helps keep the strands more moisturized, which can prevent the electric charge. You could even use lotion in a pinch—just make sure it has hair-healthy ingredients like jojoba oil and shea butter). Many lotions contain overlapping ingredients to leave-ins and hair serums, anyway, so they can function similarly on the hair if you’re in a bind.
