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Skincare 101 with Dr. Adrienne Denese, MD PhD
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It’s that time of year! Hair static is a physics problem, not a “you” problem. It happens when your hair picks up extra electrons, creating an imbalance of electrical charges. Since like-charges repel each other, your hair strands literally try to get as far away from each other as possible. Here is the breakdown of why it’s happening and how to fix it immediately.
Why Now? The main culprit is almost always dry air.
Low Humidity: Cold winter air holds less moisture. Without humidity to act as a natural conductor to “drain” the charge, electrons build up on your hair.
Friction: Sliding a hat on and off, brushing with plastic bristles, or wearing synthetic fabrics (like polyester or nylon) causes electrons to jump from one surface to another.
Dehydration: If your hair is naturally dry or damaged, it’s more prone to carrying a charge because it lacks the moisture that usually helps neutralize it.
How to Discharge it Fast - Try these quick fixes:
The Dryer Sheet Hack
This is the “gold standard” for a reason. Lightly swipe a fabric softener sheet over your hair. These sheets are designed to neutralize electrical charges in the laundry, and they work exactly the same way on your head.
Moisture is Your Friend
Water: In a pinch, damp your hands and lightly run them over your hair. It’s temporary, but it provides a path for the static to discharge.
Hand Cream: Rub a tiny amount of lotion onto your palms until they are barely tacky, then smooth them over your flyaway.
Leave-in Conditioner: A quick spritz adds weight and moisture, making it harder for the hair to “lift”.
Change Your Tools
Metal or Wood Brushes: Plastic combs are static magnets. Switching to a wooden comb or a natural boar bristle brush can prevent the charge from building up in the first place.
Hairspray: Spray a little bit of alcohol-free hairspray onto your brush before running it through your hair.
The “Metal” Grounding
Touching a metal object (like a radiator or a metal pipe) can sometimes help “ground” you, though it’s more effective at stopping the shock to your finger than it is at fixing your hair.
Thank you and love you guys!
Dr. Denese