How to Prevent Static Electricity in Your Hair

Last Updated: November 4, 2022 References Approved

Winter may be a great time for building snowmen and wearing cute boots, but your hair can get static electricity when it's cold and dry outside. Static electricity can also be a hassle during the summer or in generally dry environments. Likewise, static electricity can be caused when moisture is unable to penetrate into your hair due to the build up of substances like silicone or other hair products. If you have a problem with static electricity in your hair, you have many options to help tame your hair. You can use tools (such as an ionic blow dryer or metal comb) or products (such as hydrating or clarifying shampoos and oil).

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Tools

1
Try an ionic blow dryer. Some people have had success fixing static hair by using an ionic blow dryer. This blow dryer has negative ions that neutralize the positive ions in your hair to help get rid of static. The ion molecules also break down water molecules in your hair instead of evaporating water molecules, like regular blow dryers. This helps prevent your hair of being stripped of moisture and getting staticky.^{[1]
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- These blow dryers are not necessarily that expensive and only cost around 20 dollars.^{[2]
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2
Rub dryer sheets on your hair. Rubbing dryer sheets on your hair can actually help get rid of static hair. You can alternatively rub them on your pillowcase at night instead of your hair.^{[3]
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- Try keeping your hair brushes wrapped in dryer sheets.^{[4]
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3
Choose the right comb or brush. Instead of using a plastic comb, try a metal comb. Plastic will make your hair more staticky, but metal is a conductive so it won't. This means that the electricity goes to the metal first before it goes to your hair, making your hair have less static electricity.^{[5]
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- Rubber combs or brushes work better than plastic.^{[6]
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- You can also try using a wooden comb or brush.^{[7]
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- Use a brush with natural bristles. These brushes are more expensive but help distribute oil in your hair and prevent static.^{[8]
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4
Try a metal clothes hanger. Metal is a conductive so it will help get rid of static. Rub a metal clothes hanger on your hair to help get rid of static electricity. Hold the hanger so it is touching your head and move it slowly downward. Make sure you make contact with every part of your hair.^{[9]
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5
Use a humidifier. Using a humidifier will make your room moister and eliminate the static problem because the water molecules in the air break up static. If you don't have a humidifier, simmer water on your stove with a little bit of cinnamon.^{[10]
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6
Dry your hair with a shirt or paper towel. Instead of using a regular towel to dry your hair, try using a shirt or paper towel. The rough material of a towel can open your hair cuticles which can cause flyaways.^{[11]
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Research source} When drying your hair squeeze it with your towel, shirt, or paper towel, but don't rub it.^{[12]
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- A microfiber towel may also do the trick.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Products

1
Use hydrating shampoo. Switch to a shampoo with extra moisturizer. Static electricity can have more of an impact in the winter. Even if you normally have moisturized hair, you should still change to a hydrating shampoo during the cold, dry months.^{[13]
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- Skip a day or two between shampooing. The natural oils in your hair will help with the static.^{[14]
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2
Condition more frequently. Conditioner can help neutralize the static charges in your hair. Conditioning everyday may not be necessary, however, most people just need to condition each time they wet their hair.^{[15]
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- Using a silicone based conditioner may help in the short term^{[16]
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  Research source}, but over the long term coating your hair with silicon can prevent conditioner from absorbing, which can dry out your hair and make static worse.
- Choose a conditioner which aims to moisturize and de-frizz hair.
- You can try using apple cider vinegar for a natural conditioner option.
- Deep condition your hair with coconut or argan oil once a week to help keep your hair moisturized.^{[17]
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3
Use oil products. There are many hair products out there that you can use to help tame your staticky hair. Use oil based products (such as moroccan oil, argan oil, or coconut oil) to help tame your static. Put the product in your hair when it is wet then air dry or blow dry with an ionic dryer. ^{[18]
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- Try using Moroccanoil Frizz Control Spray, Alterna Bamboo Smooth Kendi Dry Oil Mist, or Oribe Cote d'Azur Hair Refresher.^{[19]
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4
Use hair spray. Spray hair spray on your comb and then comb through your hair. This will disburse hairspray everywhere to keep the staticky pieces down.^{[20]
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Research source} You can also spray a little hairspray on your palms then rub your hands on the pieces that are sticking up.
5
Try using water. Depending on your hair type water can help get rid of static. Get a little water on your hands and rub them over the staticky pieces.^{[21]
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Research source} Keep in mind that if you have hair that is straight, wavy or somewhere inbetween this might make frizz worse when your hair dries.
- You can also put the water in a spray bottle (alone or with a little product) and spray it in your hair.
6
Put lotion in your hair. It might seem a little strange, but body or hand lotion can help get rid of static electricity in your hair. Put a little bit of lotion on your hands (a little bit can go a long way) and rub it through your strands to help get rid of static.^{[22]
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- Putting lotion on your body can make your less susceptible to static electricity.^{[23]
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7
Consider problems with product buildup. Overuse or improper use of many hair products (even those mentioned above) can lead to buildup, leftover residues clinging to the hair that can prevent it from absorbing moisture. This is more common with products that contain resins, heavy oils, non-water soluble silicones or in strong hair sprays. If you find conditioning or moisturizing products make static worse, buildup may be your problem. Use a clarifying shampoo to remove buildup.^{[24]
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- A solution of 1:1 cider vinegar to water can also be used to gently remove buildup without drying out your hair.
- Prevent buildup by avoiding products that may cause it, applying them in modest amounts and evenly throughout your hair if you need to, and being sure to rinse everything out of your hair when washing it. ^{[25]
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Expert Q&A

Question

Why is my hair so staticky when I brush it?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

This is probably a result of the type of brush you are using. Try a natural boar-bristle brush. You can also add a few drops of natural oil, such as Argan oil, to the ends before brushing to help reduce static.
Question

Why do I have so much static electricity in my hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

The problem could be seasonal, a result of the products that you're using, or due to a lack of moisture. Try washing with a clarifying shampoo and then applying a deep conditioning treatment.
Question

What does it mean when your hair is staticky?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Static indicates dryness. It can happen when your hair is dry, but it can also be a result of dry air, which is why it's more common in the winter.