You’ve probably already experienced this: you comb your hair, and then the moment you move the comb away from your hair, some strands stick to it. You know, like a magnet. In a way, it’s actually pretty cool.
That’s a practical example of something we call static. It occurs because your hair is transferring electrons to the comb, thereby producing static electricity. But the thing is, it doesn’t happen every time, right? So exactly what causes static hair?
What Causes Static Hair?
Static is a result of friction, which is what happens when you rub two things together. In instances like that, one thing loses electrons, becoming positively charged, while the other thing gains electors, becoming negatively charged. The resulting effect is static electricity.
In this case, your comb is rubbing against your strands. Since your hair has plenty of electrons, it ends up transferring some to the comb. The hair, in this case, becomes a conductor of static electricity.
The best time to see static electricity is during winter, or basically just the coldest time of the year. That’s because winter air is very dry and has no moisture, which charges up electrons. In humid environments, it’s very rare to see static hair since there’s plenty of moisture in the atmosphere.
How To Prevent Static Hair
Although it’s a cool phenomenon, some people don’t like getting static hair because it always makes their hair look frizzy. Obviously, this could be rather annoying at times. Here are some tips on how to prevent static hair.
Moisturize your hair
Static usually forms in dry environments, which is why dry hair is a perfect conductor of static electricity. If you have extremely dry hair, it’s best to use products that are meant to restore moisture back to your strands. This includes using a conditioner, applying hair masks, and hydrating with hair serums.
Use hairspray
Spraying hairspray on your comb can help prevent your hair from creating static. In fact, there are some hairsprays that were specifically formulated to prevent static. Hairsprays can also help keep loose strands away from your face, so win-win, right?
Braid your hair
A quick solution to prevent static hair is to simply braid your hair. You can do this at night before you go to sleep. Let down your hair in the morning, and you’ll see that you not only have static-free hair, you also have gorgeous wavy locks.
Don’t wear clothes made from synthetic materials
Synthetic materials, like those made from polyester or nylon, typically carry a static charge that could get transferred to your strands. The best materials in this case are silk, cotton, or wool.
Don’t use plastic combs
Plastic combs are also more prone to giving your static hair. Some examples of combs that don’t produce static are metallic combs, ceramic combs, and wooden combs. You can also try boar bristle brushes or wide-toothed combs, as these don’t lead to static hair.
Now you know what causes static hair! For more hair tips and tricks, don’t forget to check out our ZALA blog!
PUBLISHED 12TH JANUARY 2020