Why Your Hair Gets So Staticky in Winter, and How Experts Say to Fix It

From celebrity hairstylists to a Pantene scientist, the experts agree that beating winter static is easier than you might think. A few simple swaps in your routine can keep your strands smooth all season long.

Winter comes with its fair share of downsides, from drier skin to getting zapped every time you grab a door handle or faucet. As it turns out, your hair also feels the effects of the electric charges in the air around you.

You've probably noticed that once winter rolls around, your hair turns static and you're plagued by flyaways. While you might blame your wooly hats and scarves, there's actually a more complicated force at work.

Wooly hats and scarves certainly play a part, but static hair is most commonly the result of dryness, which explains the winter timing. Humidity levels drop during the colder months, leaving the air increasingly dry.

Combined with harsh weather conditions and low temperatures, this dry air dries out your hair as well, causing your strands to lose electrons and take on a positive charge. Because of this excess positive charge, the strands soon start to repel each other, creating the flyaway hairs we call static.

Static can also occur when two different materials rub against each other, causing electrons to transfer from one surface to another. That means everyday winter staples can easily upset the natural charge in your hair, and because hair is a poor conductor of electricity, the excess charge has nowhere to go.

The result, once again, is strands that push away from one another and produce static flyaways. Winter static can be a constant source of frustration, but thankfully, there are some simple ways to tame it. Here are a few expert-approved tips that can help.

Avoid Plastic Hair Tools

Plastic is an insulating material, so it tends to aggravate static. "Stick to a brush with boar bristles, which will help spread your natural oils," advises hairstylist Kat Zemtsova. "You can also use metal or rubber combs."

Kylee Heath, a hairstylist who works with Nicole Kidman and Emma Roberts, agrees that plastic only makes matters worse. "Use a brush or comb made from bone or wood instead," she says. "It won't perpetuate the problem, plus these materials are much stronger and last longer than plastic."

Keep Your Hair Moisturized

Sealing moisture into your hair is another way to fend off static. Zemtsova recommends using a light moisturizing cream or serum. "This is what seals in the moisture that keeps static at bay," she explains.

Dr. Jeni Thomas, principal scientist for Pantene, agrees. "Most winter hair concerns boil down to the moisture level in your hair," she says. "That moisture depends a lot on the temperature and humidity around your hair."

To help your hair hold up against the elements, your best bet is to load up on conditioner and keep moisture levels in check. "Conditioners help your hair be less at the whim of the environment by keeping the moisture in your hair more balanced," says Dr. Thomas.

Use Anti-Static Spray

Anti-static spray is a drugstore staple that isn't specifically made for hair (it is often used on fabric, carpet, and even electronics), but it may still work. "Apply a small amount to your hair by spraying it into your brush or on your hands," says Zemtsova.

Use Dryer Sheets

"Fabric softener sheets are the best solution I've found to fighting static and unwanted frizz. Because they're made for fibers, they work well on hair strands, too," says stylist Marc Mena, whose clients include Mindy Kaling and Madelaine Petsch.

Simply run a dryer sheet down your hair, from roots to ends, to neutralize the charge.

Other methods worth trying include running a humidifier inside your home, moisturizing your hair before using heat tools (or skipping them altogether), and staying on top of split ends.

And if you're looking for more ways to keep your locks in top shape, here's how to wear your hair long, add volume, and keep it healthy after 50.