This Common Household Item Can Remove Static from Your Hair in 2 Seconds—And No, It’s Not a Dryer Sheet

Every so often (okay, maybe daily), you’ll stumble upon a viral trend on TikTok that is quite literally life-changing in the best way. Learning this tin foil hair trick that can get rid of hair static in seconds definitely falls under the things-will-never-be-the-same category for those who deal with staticky, frizzy hair on the reg. The best part? You probably already have sheets of aluminum foil in your pantry, so there’s no need to drop dollars on another hair product. 

Below, master colorist Sharon Dorram of Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger shares exactly how to use the tin foil hair technique to get rid of static electricity in your strands, why it works so well, and tips for preventing looking like you’ve just rubbed a balloon on your head in the future. 

How to use the tin foil hair tick to remove static electricity

Using tin foil to remove static from your hair is beyond simple. There’s no tutorial required. “Simply grab a small piece of tin foil, wrap it around your hair in small to medium sections, one piece at a time, and gently rub downwards,” Dorram says. It’s shockingly satisfying how quickly the tin foil smooths out your strands. Plus, Dorram says doing this also helps maintain your desired style. 

So, why exactly does this hack work so well? First, you’ll need to understand why hair becomes staticky. “Hair experiences static cling when it becomes charged with electricity,” Dorram says. “Since hair is negatively charged, when it gains extra positive electrons from changes in weather and friction, the result is static hair.” 

Dorram says you’ll likely experience hair static more often during the colder months due to dryness and lower humidity levels. Friction from doing everyday things like wearing a hat or brushing your hair vigorously can also cause static in your hair. “This friction causes the strands of your hair [to] repel each other like a magnet, leaving hair frizzy and hard to style,” she explains.  

Enter aluminum sheets. “Tin foil effectively defends against static because the metal is a conductor, meaning it gathers and transfers away the electric charges from your hair,” Dorram says. “Rubbing strands with tin foil stops static in its tracks, smooths strands, keeps fly-aways at bay, and restores shine, so hair doesn’t look brittle or damaged.” 

Dorram notes that the tin foil method is just as effective as the OG dry sheet method at reducing static. Dryer sheets, too, she says, contain positively charged electrons that neutralize the hair’s negative charges helping to reduce frizz and lock in moisture. However, she adds that dryer sheets are fragranced, which may not be something you want in your hair. In this case, using tin foil is the preferable method.

How to prevent hair static in the first place

If you have dry or fine hair, the bad news is that avoiding hair static can be tricky. However, there are some preventative things you can do (and not do) to help keep your strands tamed and manageable. 

According to Dorram, your first line of defense is using high-quality hair products that focus on hydration. “You want the scalp to maintain its natural balance of moisture and keep hair hydrated and nourished,” she says. “A leave-in conditioner with argan oil or coconut oil can help moisturize hair and reduce static fly-aways.” 

Another tip: Since moisture is essential for preventing hair static, Dorram also recommends avoiding hair products with drying ingredients such as alcohol or sulfates, which can potentially dry out the hair. 

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