How To Get Rid Of Static Hair After Straightening

If you frequently use a flat iron, you may notice static hair after straightening your locks each time. It ruins the whole purpose of straightening since the hair gets frizzy and messy eventually. Hair straighteners can help create that flawlessly styled, sleek hair, but the high heat can dry out the strands by robbing them of moisture. Straighteners are indispensable, but dry hair is no fun at all. Read this article to learn how to prevent static with simple changes to your hair care regimen.

Trivia

In winter, hair becomes especially dry and static-prone because of the cold, low humidity, and extreme temperature changes due to indoor heating.

Why Do We Get Static After Hair Straightening?

Dry hair that lacks moisture produces static (1). Flat irons used in high temperatures dry out the hair, leading to static. This makes the hair shafts repel each other, resulting in flyaways (1). The rubbing of a flat iron against the hair strands builds a minute electrical charge due to electron transfer. Thus, it is normal for the hair to experience static while straightening.

Lets find out how to get rid of static from your hair, especially after straightening it.

How To Get Rid Of Static Hair After Straightening

• Protect your hair from dryness and replenish its lost moisture by using hair products such as shampoo and conditioner laden with hydrating properties. Ensure these products do not contain any harsh agents, such as alcohols, fragrances, and sulfates, which might further damage your hair.

• The most important hair tip is to not overwash your hair, which strips your hair of its natural moisture.
• Always apply a conditioner after shampooing your hair. Deep condition your hair with nourishing hair masks at least once a week.
  
  Related: 16 Effective Hair Masks To Treat Hair Loss
  
  Switch to ionic (ceramic or tourmaline) hair dryers as they balance the ions and reduce static. Use hair dryers at least 15 cms away from you to prevent hair damage.

• Straighten your hair only when it is completely dry to prevent static. Do not straighten, style, or even tug damp hair as it is fragile. Also, use microfiber towels for taming frizz.
  
  Related: Damp Hair: Everything You Need To Know About It
• Apply a thermal protectant or hair serum before using flat irons or hot styling tools to prevent heat damage and make hair styling last longer.
• Use wooden or horn combs with natural bristles to minimize static formation. You can use a paddle brush for taming frizz and flyaways.
• Follow up with anti-frizz or humidity-resistant sprays after straightening your hair. They act as barriers and prevent moisture loss from your hair. However, using these products sparingly a little goes a long way.
• Apply hair oils to restore the natural moisture level of your tresses. Hair oils help in hair treatment by sealing the cuticles, locking in moisture, and assisting in hair maintenance.

• Avoid clothes, hats, hijabs, and scarves made of synthetic fabrics as they can rub against the hair and create static. Instead, go for natural fibers, such as cotton or silk.
• Steam treatments are a great way to add moisture to your hair to avoid static. Sitting under a steamer or mister with a moisturizing hair mask imparts a good amount of moisture. Make sure you rinse the mask out of your hair really well after the treatment.
• Apply a leave-in conditioner or hair serum to add moisture and reduce friction.
• Use an anti-static spray to minimize static.
• Avoid using a flat iron at very high temperatures to prevent excessive drying, damage, and static electricity.
• Place a humidifier in your room to impart moisture to your hair. This will also keep your hair from drying out and attracting static.
• Lightly rub your hair with a dryer sheet to remove static. However, avoid overdoing it as it might leave a residue.
• Tie your hair back into a loose braid or bun during windy or dry weather conditions to minimize static.
• Put some water on your fingertips and smoothen your hair to restore the balance of negative and positive charges.

Greta, a YouTuber, shared her personal experience and opinion on how she combats the common problem of static hair. She states in her video, “This is something I have struggled with my whole life because I have long hair that rubs on things and the winter comes around and my hair is super dry (i).” She then proceeds with tips, such as drinking more water, using a good hair mask for deep conditioning, and not washing hair every day. She also recommends not using heat, and adds, “I’m not really using heat on my hair. The only time I really use it is if I’m going to bed with wet hair and I hate that so I dry it first.”

Quick Tip

Use a microfiber towel or cotton t-shirt to dry your hair. Gently squeeze the water to avoid friction and static hair.

Infographic: Easy Methods To Get Rid Of Static Hair After Straightening

Static hair is a common frustrating issue that occurs from straightening your hair. It is caused by the buildup of static electricity in the hair, which makes it stand up and appear frizzy. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to get rid of it. Check out the infographic below to know more!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Does dehydration cause static hair?

Yes. Dehydration makes your hair dry and as a result, it produces static electricity, making your hair frizzy (1).

Does static hair mean damage?

Static hair does not cause any hair damage. However, static is often the result of dryness, which may also cause frizz, breakage, and damage.

What kills static in hair?

Moisturization is the most effective remedy to kill static in hair. Use hair masks and deep condition the hair at least once a week with moisture-locking ingredients to get rid of static hair.

Does washing your hair get rid of static?

No, washing the hair alone is not enough to get rid of static hair. Moisturizing the strands after a shampoo wash is necessary to remove static.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Was this article helpful?

The following two tabs change content below.

• Reviewer
• Author
• Editor
• Fact-checker

Alicia IgessHairstylist

   

Alicia Igess is an accomplished and award-winning stylist with over two decades of experience in hair design. She is the owner and founder of Urban Tangles, a hair and makeup studio focusing on makeovers. She, along with her team, has experienced tremendous success in building an exclusive “referral-only” clientele consisting of many of the who’s who of Atlanta.more

Annie JangamBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

 

Annie Jangam is a researcher-turned-content writer with 11 years of experience. She enjoys dissecting complex clinical studies and shuffling through the scientific jargon to make science interesting and easy to understand. Her scientific aptitude and love for writing paved the way to pursue a career in writing research-backed articles on skin care and hair care. Her expertise stems from her...more

Eshna DasAssociate Editor

Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru. Her passion for writing and editing and her background in psychology help her create content that...more

Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends. Her passion for and understanding of all things related...more