Every winter, it’s the same thing: the hair constantly becomes electric and seems to live its life by rising in the air without being able to really stop it or reduce frizz. The cause is the cold, certain clothing materials, the different scarves and maids which sometimes camouflage but do not help the result. How to fight electric hair? Gwendoline Espire, training director at Bleu Libellule, is a true expert. For Topsante.com, she explains why we have electric hair and how to get rid of it.
The causes of electric hair
The very first cause: the cold and dry air (therefore without any humidity) which dry out the hair and make it difficult to style. Clothing, such as the hats we wear, also play a role, especially those made of synthetics. For what ? Our hair is naturally composed of atoms containing protons, charged with positive ions and electrons charged with negative ions.
Synthetic clothing, loaded with positive ions, causes friction because the ions repel each other. This makes the hair electrostatic: you therefore have the impression that it is lifting. Too frequent washing and repeated use of heating appliances cause the same inconvenience.
What types of hair are electric?
The finer and lighter the hair, the more likely it is to “lift” because it will be sensitive to friction with clothes. Same goes for dry, dehydrated hair (it doesn’t matter if it’s straight or curly) because it’s hydration that prevents the electro-static volatile effect. Degraded hair, therefore thinner in places, is also likely to be electric depending on the climate and the material of the outfits worn.
What material to choose for coats and hats?
For hats and caps, we opt for wool without hesitation! Generally speaking, we forget the synthetic which, between the friction and the positive ions which repel each other, will cause the hair to lift.
How to take care of your hair to prevent it from being electric
One key word: hydrate. Space out shampoos and avoid overusing heating appliances.
We opt for a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo like Uniq One All-in-one Shampoo from Revlon (€17.30) or Color Freez Shampoo from Schwarzkopf (€14.95).
Then apply a well-moisturizing conditioner after each wash. The more a hair is nourished, hydrated and protected, the “heavier” it will be, the less it will lift. Gwendoline Espire recommends Hydra Revive Conditioner, Care7 of 7th Element (€15.21) which hydrates well without losing volume.
Once a week, we apply a mask only to the mid-lengths and ends which we leave on for a good five minutes like Redken’s ABC Mask (€41.31). All under lukewarm water and rinsing well. As it is friction that promotes hair volatility, dry it with a towel, dabbing it but without rubbing (you can wrap it around the hair, however).
Then we detangle either with an anti-electricity brush (by Olivia Garden), or by avoiding boar bristles which swell the hair and promote electrostimulation.
Finally, a moisturizing oil (on damp hair if it is fine, on dry hair if it is thick). This will give them shine and hydration. Gwendoline Espire’s favorites? Dark Oil from Sébastian Professional (9€) and Smoothing Oil from Alfaparf Milano (28.80€).
Source: www.topsante.com
