About Static Hair

Everybody has seen static in hair, especially drying the dry winter months. Hair gets frizzy and can even stand on end when short enough. The following article will explain why people get static in their hair and how to prevent it from being a problem.

Effects

Static electricity in your hair causes unruly fly-aways and frizziness. This is because your hair has developed a positive electrical charge--and each strand of hair is repelling the other and is trying to get away from each other. When you have static in your hair, it's also in your body. Touching a metal object, like a doorknob or your computer--can cause the static electricity to leap from your hand to the metal, causing a zap that you can feel. This can be annoying to you and damaging for the electronics in the computer.

Expert Insight

Everything contains tiny particles called protons and electrons. Protons have a positive electrical charge, while electrons are negative. Protons and electrons usually balance each other out. When people rub two surfaces together, sometimes the electrons rub off onto the other object, causing static electricity. Materials with matching charges repel each other and cause your hair to "fly away." Things with opposite charges attract each other, like when your hair is attracted to a wool sweater or hat.

Time Frame

Static electricity is worse in hair during the winter. This is because heating our homes and businesses pulls moisture out of the air--and out of your hair. Dry hair is easier to affect with static. During the more humid summer months, tiny particles of moisture in the air collect on your hair and prevent static electricity from building up.

Identification

If you would like to see static electricity in your hair, try this simple experiment. Rub an ordinary balloon against your hair for about 15 seconds. The friction will build up an electrical charge and your hair will be attracted to the balloon. The static electricity in the balloon will even make it stick to a wall.

Prevention/Solution

Prevent static build up in your hair by keeping it moisturized with a good conditioner. If that isn't enough, try rubbing a dryer sheet (which chemically reduces static) through your brush or even through the hair itself. You can keep a dryer sheet in your purse or pocket for a quick touch-up during the day. Use combs and brushes made of non-conducting materials, like wood or nylon to prevent static. Be sure to also use a humidifier in your home to reduce dry air in the winter time.