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Figuring out how to get rid of static hair, frizziness, and flyaways is an eternal problem. But there are some factors that can make it worse. For instance, as soon as winter arrives, I always feel like I’m dealing with a bunch of new beauty issues, like dry skin, chapped lips, and flat, static hair that hovers around my head like Einstein’s.
Each of these beauty issues create their own frustrations, but static hair can be especially annoying—sometimes, no matter what I do, I can't seem to tame the flyaways.
What causes static hair?
Static hair occurs when your hair builds up an electric charge, meaning it has gained some extra electrons thanks to friction or a change in humidity. That makes the strands of your hair repel each other, leaving your hair frizzy and difficult to style. Plus, the elements, a lack of moisture in the air, and heated indoor environments can all exacerbate static hair.
For one, since winter air often has low or no humidity, static electricity is often worse during the season (water is a great conductor of energy, so the higher the humidity, the less static is an issue). And those hats we wear in winter to keep ourselves warm? Those are making static electricity worse as well, creating friction and building static electricity as we take them on and off throughout the day.
Luckily, there are hair-care products, conditioners in particular, designed to restore the hair’s normal charge, thus making it less frizzy and easier to manage.
With all this in mind, we asked a few professional stylists to share their best tips for keeping hair smooth and static free. Read on for their top tips for how to get rid of static hair.
1. Start with a moisturizing shampoo.
Keeping your hair moisturized is the easiest way to ensure it’s armed with the hydration necessary to fight frizz, static, and other pesky side effects of weather. Celebrity hairstylist Deycke Heidorn recommends starting with a quality shampoo and conditioner that caters to dry hair: “By using the right hair-care products, your scalp keeps its natural balance of moisture and oils, and your hair shaft stays flexible and nourished.”
Products to try:
- Marc Anthony Bye Bye Frizz Keratin Smoothing Shampoo ($10, Walgreens)
- Carol’s Daughter Curl Quenching Shampoo ($16, Target)
- Rahua Hydration Shampoo ($36, Amazon)
2. Never skip conditioner.
Yes, it’s important to use moisturizing products, but conditioner is especially crucial to avoiding frizz. That’s because while the surfactant ingredients in some shampoos can contribute a charge to your hair while they clean, conditioners are designed to counteract that. Sure, they’re also designed to help seal the hair cuticle and improve its overall shine and manageability. But if you’re trying to counteract frizz or static, the charge thing is the main reason to never skip conditioner.
Products to try:
- Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Curls Conditioner ($7, Target)
- R+Co TELEVISION Perfect Hair Conditioner ($102, Dermstore)
- Redken Frizz Dismiss Sulfate-Free Conditioner ($25, Ulta)
3. Use a deep conditioning mask or treatment occasionally.
If your hair tends toward dry or your hair is otherwise damaged, you may find that regularly using a conditioner isn’t enough to keep your strands feeling moisturized. In that case, using a deep-conditioning mask or treatment once a week or so can help restore your hair’s shine softness.
Products to try:
- Kérastase Paris Resistance Length Strengthening Mask ($68, Sephora)
- Oribe Moisture & Control Deep Treatment Masque ($44, Amazon)
- Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector ($30, Sephora)
4. Apply a leave-in product on the go.
Even if you’re using top-notch hair products at home, the harsh weather you’re exposed to during your commute and lunch break can ruin everything. A quick fix is to carry a travel-size bottle of leave-in conditioner or hair oil in your handbag. “Dissolve a small amount in the palms of your hands and run your fingers through your hair,” advises Heidorn. “The moisture in the product will eliminate the electric charge that causes static, and that moisture and oil will allow your hair to become manageable again.”
Products to try:
- Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Leave-in Conditioner ($15, Amazon)
- Briogeo Farewell Frizz Rosarco Milk Leave-in Conditioning Spray ($25, Dermstore)
- OUAI Leave In Conditioner ($30, Ulta)
5. Stay away from products that contain drying ingredients.
Just as you read nutrition labels to know what ingredients are in your food, you should do the same when it comes to your hair products. For some people, especially those with curls, may want to be wary of sulfates, which are chemicals in shampoo and conditioner that help clean your hair and scalp. But those with naturally dry hair may find them to be too drying, thus creating frizz. Also look out for alcohol, which is often found in gels, styling foams, and dry shampoos. Some forms of alcohol can have a drying effect on your hair and scalp.
6. Try a different part to avoid staticky hat hair.
Hats are a staple winter accessory—I mean, it’s so damn cold! But they can leave your hair flat, dry, and all over the place. To combat hat hair, try changing your part to the opposite side than what you’re used to while you’re wearing your hat. This is a go-to move for Vanessa Ungaro, cofounder of Lauren + Vanessa Hair and Beauty. “When you take off your hat and flip your hair over to your usual part, you’ll not only have static-free locks, but you’ll also have a ton of volume,” she tells SELF.
7. Shampoo less often.
The more you shampoo, the more you’re stripping the natural oils from your hair. Instead of washing your hair every day, shampoo every other day. If you’re someone who’s prone to greasy hair or someone who works out frequently, this tip might not be ideal for you. But if you’re worried about frizziness or static, it’s worth trying to cut back on your washing in whatever way make sense for you.
8. Heat style your hair sparingly—and always protect it.
Using hot tools can drain your hair of moisture, which is why dermatologists generally recommend limiting your heat styling if your hair is dry or thinning. That’s also why Ungaro always uses a heat protector spray when styling all her clients. “A heat protector spray will help keep moisture locked into your hair,” she says. Spray the heat protector on before blow-drying to add shine and lock in anti-static protection.
Products to try:
- Oribe Mystify Restyling Spray ($44, Amazon)
- Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray ($8, Ulta)
- Ghd Heat Protection Spray ($28, Amazon)
9. Pull your hair up and out of the way.
If your hair’s long enough, a bun or braid is the perfect way to keep your strands from getting staticky. You don’t have to rock the slicked-back look the whole day or night. If you like your hair to have a tousled look, Ungaro suggests braiding or pulling it back into a tight bun and simply undoing it once you arrive at your destination. Your hair will be wavy without having to use heat.
10. Avoid plastic combs.
Using plastic combs and brushes on your hair can cause static electricity, much like that old trick you did as a kid of making your hair stand up by rubbing a plastic balloon on it. Instead, Heidorn recommends looking at brushes and combs made out of other materials, like boar-bristle brushes and wooden combs. Although metal combs may be helpful in avoiding static, Heidorn recommends avoiding these as well because can be harsh on the hair shaft and inevitably lead to breakage.
Products to try:
- Raincry Condition Large Pure Boar Bristle Brush ($115, Nordstrom)
- Drybar Flat Mate Boar Bristle Brush ($85, Nordstrom)
- Ionic Anti-Static 6'' Volume Detangler Comb ($4, Ulta)
11. Wrap hair in a microfiber towel or T-shirt instead of terry cloth.
It’s easy to toss your hair back in the same towel you use on your bod postshower, but experts recommend avoiding this habit. “Hair is most fragile when wet, so it really deserves a quality treatment,” says Heidorn. This means not rubbing it aggressively. Instead, wrap and squeeze it with a hair-specific towel, like Aquis Lisse Luxe Hair Turban ($30, Nordstrom Rack), or use an old cotton T-shirt to absorb excess water.
12. Try anti-frizz sheets.
You may have heard the hair hack that suggests using dryer sheets on your hair to reduce static, but most hairstylists don’t recommend this simply because laundry sheets are not made for use on hair and skin. So using them could cause irritation on sensitive or dry scalps.
But companies do make anti-static sheets specifically for hair. In particular, Heidorn recommends Nunzio Saviano Anti‑Frizz Sheets ($12, Amazon) right along the hairline and directly onto flyaways. “They’re enriched with nonsticky polymers and coconut oil, which provide a touch of hold and a bit of shine.”
All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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