OK, my hair doesn't look quite this bad, but almost! Nothing I try (hairspray, damp brush, etc) seems to work. Aside from shaving my head, does anyone have any advice on how to solve this problem. Thanks!

Funny picture, I hate static hair, thank God I have curly hair so it is not so noticeable BUT my sister was looking very funny when she was here (straight hair) I thin maybe a good spray on gel could help

Good luck!

Ha! I also have had this problem since moving to Switzerland. It was worse when I lived in the mountains so maybe it has something to do with the altitude and dry air?

I have never tried it before but apparently if you rub one of those things in your hair,that you put in with your clothes in the tumble dryer it removes the static.

I think using less conditioner helps too.

As DanielL said to StirB, "stop rubbing it".

what you can try:

what shampoo are you using? You need a heavier, more nourishing one in the winter. Loreal Kerastase Nutritive is good, TIGI Oatmeal and several others of similar kind. Conditioner is a must.

there are loads of products to combat this problem. Serums, leave-in conditioners, creams, glosses, depending on your hair type and price tolerance. Hairspray just dries the hair and has quite the opposite effect.

I would also recommend this one http://www.braun.com/de/hair-care/satin-hair/satin-hair-brush.html

L'Occitaine sells this non-rinse off hair mask (Shea butter). The only trouble is, with anything you rub in your hair, it also atracts dust and dirt, so you will have to wash more often and make it even drier. I also have Gliss Kur "Asia Glatt" serum (non rinse off), smells lovely, it helps. Then Solei des Iles from Yves Rocher, it is a hair mask, you rinse it, it makes hair more manageable (and smells like a beach) and hair stays clean and non static. My hair is about 2ft long, so I get so much static in winter, it's annoying. If you wear your hair up in a sleek bun, it reduces the annoyance.

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The air here is very dry and I get the feeling that because of it static does tend to build up more in the winter than summer months - don't ask me why, these are just personal observations...

What kind of clothes are you wearing?

My experience is that any outer garments with a higher percentage of synthetic materials are more likely to generate static, e.g. nylon, lycra etc.

Likewise having shoes with rubber soles also decrease the opportunity for discharging any built up static.

Try varying your clothes and seeing if it makes a difference.

Thanks everyone. I'm going to take a look at the products you suggested. My skin has improved after trying some of the products in the "face cream" thread, so I'm sure your tips will help get my hair under control.

Carlos R, you may be on to something. My hair always has a lot more static on the days that I've been doing something outside. I think that my synthetic Under Armour (long underwear) might be the cause. The problem is that once the static electricity takes over, I can't seem to do anything until I tame it by washing and conditioning it again.

Happens to me (although I have short hair at the mo) - I find myself licking the palm of my hands to "dampen" my hair down!

Carlos has nailed this, the type of clothing you wear will make a pronounced difference to your conductivity. I spark every piece of metal and person that I come into contact with during the dry winter months (now there's an offer you shouldn't refuse....).

I'd also recommend changing your footwear as you are isolating your charged body if you have non-conductive soles on your feet; you're basically a charged mass just waiting to unload your energy when you come into contact with the first conductive object that you touch. It wouldn't happen if you were barefoot, but that point is moot in winter. Or you could try sticking those rubber discharge strips on your ankles like the cars use to have back in the 80s (they never worked). Airplanes have static dischargers (wicks) on the wing's trailing edges to disperse the static build that the aerofoil section creates when it is forced through the air, unpractical for humans though.

Thanks, Ullainga, My haircare is fairly basic. I wash it with Loreal and let the conditioner soak in while I take a steam bath. This works fine most of the time. I'm not familiar with TIGI Oatmeal. Do you know where I can find it in Switzerland?

I'll look at the hair care products and try to figure out what will help, but if anyone else has straight, fine hair and knows a specific product that controls static electricity, I would be grateful to know about it!

• Always use conditioner
• brush your hair as little as possible, and when you do, use an anti-static brush or one made of natural fibers (wood and such)
• If you straighten your hair, use an ionizing straightener
• The more product you put in your hair, the heavier it will become, making it mor resiliant to static. Just don't go overboard.
• leave in conditioners are great

thats all i got for you. I hate static, luckily its pretty much only a winter thing.

Wear a hat.

Nooooo Hats make it worse...if that's possible!

I recently saw a tip on a TV programme but it would be a short-term fix. Keep a couple of those tumble dryer sheets in your handbag and if you have an attack of flyaway hair, smooth it down with one of the sheets.

They tested it out on a woman with mad flyaway hair and it worked.

Oh, I have to laugh at this, I suffer with it too and do what Carlos does! If you are from England I can tell you what NOT to do - do not buy Boots Anti-static hairbrush. I couldn't believe this thing actually made it a whole lot worse! I did though discover quite by accident -buying a conditioner instead of a shampoo, which I never used because it makes my hair flat - but the new Elvive 'Full Restore' conditioner is great. It's called Elseve 'Full Repair' here (has a red top) and only just come out so you may not find it in all shops but it's in the Coops and Manor.

I would guess you can try hairdressers, but I buy my cosmetics online, cheaper.
for example http://uk.strawberrynet.com/haircare.../87347/#DETAIL
(free delivery and they usually mark the package as gift so you might not even have to pay customs)

Water is the best and cheapest solution. Just wet your hand a little bit and touch your hair. All the static will be gone!

This is caused by a combination of dry winter air and cheap nylon underwear.

Your body need to be earthed. I suggest buying a light chain and connect this round your waste under your clothes so it is contact with your skin. Thread the chain down a trouser leg or simply under a skirt and let the end drag along the ground...

Thanks for the great advice! Now, does the chain need to go down the left or the right trouser leg?