 | Kim McIntosh, a former graduate of Xenon Int'l. School of Hair Design serves as the school’s Director and is a shareholder in the business. She holds a Cosmetology, Esthetics and Instructor's license in Kansas and Nebraska. She has worked behind the chair and managed some of the most prominent salons in the Wichita area. As an educator, her primary goal has been to provide the beauty industry with successful licensed professionals. Having served in the past as Second Vice-President on the Board of Directors for the National Cosmetology Association of Kansas, Kim is currently a Director on the national board for the American Association of Cosmetology Schools. You may contact Kim at (316) 943-5516. |
Beauty & Fashion
2009-09-01 14:37:00
Preventing static build-up
Answer: Low humidity causes the air to be dry causing hair to lose water to the surrounding air and dry out. Dry hair builds up negative electricity (hair is predominantly negatively charged to begin with) and all those negative charges react to the neighboring hairs, resulting in flyaway. Fine hair tends to get flyaway more than thick hair because thin hair dries out more quickly.
Most flyaway problems do occur in the winter, so here in Kansas, we’re just getting started! The simplest way to eliminate static, flyaway hair is to add water back into the hair and to avoid products that tend to dry hair out.
You can continue to shampoo daily, just be sure to shampoo your hair with a moisturizing or conditioning shampoo. Use a cream rinse after shampooing. Cream rinses reduce static electricity and flyaway because they keep hair from getting too dry. There’s no need to discontinue blow-drying, but be careful to avoid overuse of any heat styling appliances. Using a blow-dryer everyday on a hot setting and then wrapping your hair in hot rollers will only encourage flyaway. You can avoid heat damage to your hair by using a warm setting on your blow-dryer, hold it away from your head as you dry your hair, and keep the blow-dryer moving.
Avoid applying heavy gels to hair. Even though gels can weigh hair down, too much can have a drying effect. Instead, try using a ‘humectant’ (water attracting) styling product. Avoid use of styling sprays containing alcohol. There are many products available that are alcohol-free, just read the ingredients on the packaging.
Choose a natural bristle brush to help reduce flyaway, as plastic bristles create more negative charges. If you use hair spray, don’t overdo it. Instead of spraying the hair directly, try spraying your brush with hair spray and then brushing through your hair to tame static. And finally, if you are not currently using a humidifier in your home, get one! Adding humidity to the air is great for your hair and your skin. Believe me; you’ll notice a difference right away.
As always, if you have any questions concerning your hair, ask a professional. If your stylist is unavailable to answer questions during your appointment, find another stylist! There are great stylists out there who welcome your questions and love to help you solve your hair care dilemmas.
