If you have hair, you’ve probably experienced flyaways at some point in your life. You know, those stubby hairs that stick straight up on the top of your head. Yeah, those happen for two reasons; hair damage or new growth. Most people in general experience flyaways from hair damage but if you have gray hair it could be because of new growth. And since most people don’t want to walk around looking like they stuck their finger in an electrical socket, here’s how 17 women managed their flyaways during their gray hair grow out!

By: Lisa Fennessy

IN THIS POST:

• Why do flyaways happen? 
• Most women with gray hair will get flyaways 
• Why gray hair has more flyaways
• How people with gray hair can avoid hair breakage and flyaways
• 17 women with gray hair share how they tame flyaways
• Best products to help tame flyaways 

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Why do flyaways happen? 

Flyaways are those little stubby hairs, about an inch or so in length, that stand straight up and go against the grain of what every other hair on your head is doing.  

They mostly happen from one of two things: breakage or new growth. 

If you are looking to tame your flyaways there are a few products you can use but as a first step, it’s helpful to know WHY you are getting flyaways so you can work to prevent getting more. 

Here’s some reasons people get flyaways and breakage in general: 

• Overprocessing (bleaching, coloring, perming or relaxing)
• Heat styling (hairdryers, irons, curlers, e.t.c.)
• Rough handling (vigorous brushing, combing or styling, more so when hair is wet).
• Tight hairstyles (tight ponytails and braids)
• Exposure to the elements (sun, wind, humidity, pollution)
• Dry hair (lacking moisture in general or from over shampooing) 
• Aging

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Most women with gray hair will get flyaways 

And I, for one, am no exception. In early 2018, one year after I decided to go gray, I was living in my flyaway era. My brown hair was growing out and my gray hair was growing in…and UP. My new growth was all short and broken and standing straight up making me look like I stuck my finger in an electrical socket 24/7. NOT CUTE! 

At the time, I freaked out a little because I didn’t know if that was just my new look or if it was temporary. If you are feeling the same, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that yes this is real and yes this is really happening. The good news is that nine times out of ten this is temporary for women who are going gray and I’ve got you covered with some tips and tricks to get by in the meantime.

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Why gray hair has more flyaways

If you are growing out your hair gray and all of a sudden you feel like you have more flyaways, no, you are not imagining it! You actually do have more. 

Typically hair color doesn’t play a factor when it comes to hair health. BUT, here it does. When people decide to grow their hair out gray, they can expect to experience more flyaways, especially at the beginning stages. Here’s why: 

Hair color can damage hair and wreak havoc on the scalp. So when people decide to stop coloring their hair, they often experience a bounty of new growth. This is not rare and many women in The Gray Book have commented on this phenomenon. 

When your hair is dark, you don’t really notice that new growth as much. But when it’s gray, you see, every single one.  – TNK Reader

Those little flyaways are new hair growth! I have a whole bunch of those babies! I use leave in conditioner!  – Lise

I find non-coloured hair is like sticking my head in a light socket some days lol. – TNK Reader

Additionally, gray hair tends to be drier and more prone to breakage compared to pigmented hair. It also has less melanin than pigmented hair, which can affect the strength and elasticity of the hair. So if you don’t change the way you handle your hair, it can be too rough or damaging for gray (or white) hair.

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How people with gray hair can avoid hair breakage and flyaways

People with gray hair who are experiencing flyaways from new hair growth, yay for you! We can’t control these types of flyaways from developing BUT we can control the types of flyaways that are popping up from breakage. Here’s 15 things you can try to stop hair breakage from happening. 

• Use a microfiber towel or shirt to blot hair dry. 
• Minimize heat styling by drying hair on low heat or air drying most of the way. 
• Or opting for heatless curls.
• Reduce chemical treatments like straightening treatments, perms and bleaching.  
• Consider a silk pillowcase. 
• Maintain hair hydration by shampooing less and nourishing conditioners.
• Use a hair mask.
• And leave-in conditioners.
• Handle hair gently.
• Brush hair when dry, not wet. 
• And use a brush with soft bristles or wide-tooth combs to minimize pulling and breakage.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water to keep your hair and body hydrated from the inside out.
• Protect hair from environmental damage (sun, wind, harsh weather conditions) by using a hair SPF or wearing a hat.
• Choose hair products with a supportive pH. 
• Get regular trims to reduce split ends which can travel up the hair shaft leading to further breakage. 

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17 women with gray hair share how they tame flyaways

Ready to get more tactical? Here’s how 17 women with gray hair have successfully tamed and continue to tame their flyaways. 

Use hair wax to tame flyaways

Many women with gray hair use hair wax to tame their flyaways. We like LolaVie Sculpting Paste for its healthy ingredients and effectiveness. Here’s what other women with gray hair are using…

I use a product called Wax Blast, it’s awesome and you can get it on Amazon. – TNK Reader

After I am done styling my hair, I put in a little hair wax at part to tame down the flyaways. Works like a charm. – TNK Reader

Use hair oil to tame flyaways

You know I personally hate a hair oil lol. But I’m coming around. Maybe because my hair actually needs a hair oil now or maybe because better ones keep coming out. My latest obsession is EVOLVh’s The Standard Hair Oil. It’s practically weightless while still giving hair all the shine. Here’s what other women with gray hair are using…

About once a week, I use coconut oil. I rub it into my hair and scalp, and leave it for 15-20 minutes before rinsing and then shampooing. It’s inexpensive, and makes a big difference in how my hair looks and feels. – TNK Reader

I use jojoba oil. It does not leave my hair greasy. Rub a small amount into your hands and then into your hair. I buy Clinganics from Amazon. – TNK Reader

I went silver so that I could avoid getting expensive treatments to my hair. But I do use a little bit of Kerastase Oil. It is at salons, but I find you can purchase it a lot cheaper at CVS. – TNK Reader

I use squalane – all natural (mine is olive derived), lighter than oil and doesn’t build up – just a drop helps my hair “sit” better and deals with frizz – TNK Reader

Use clear mascara or brow gel to tame flyaways

Clear mascara is a wonder remedy when it comes to flyaways—especially when you are wearing your hair styled or pulled back. Just take the wand and run it across your flyaways, pushing down on the wand to flyaways adhere to the hair around it. The mascara helps to keep these hairs in place. I like Zuzu Luxe because it has good ingredients and it’s pretty inexpensive. Here’s what other women with gray hair are saying…

I use clear mascara to tame the flyaways – TNK Reader

Some grey hair likes lots of moisture so maybe running a tiny bit of Moroccan Oil (Light) will help tame the mid to lengths and if nothing else gives a bit of shine (Moroccan Oil ‘light’ is for blond or grey hair – less likely to discolour than their original formula). – TNK Reader

Bought this (Hair Finishing Stick) on Amazon. It’s like a clear mascara but with hair gel. I also use it to set my eyebrows. I can’t remember the exact price, but fairly inexpensive. A two-pack for under $10. – TNK Reader

I use a clear mascara!!! 😜😎🤸 It’s a great hack I saw on YouTube – Chryssi

Clear brow gel! It works all day! – TNK Reader

Use hair spray to tame flyaways

Hairspray was my personal go-to when I first started growing out my hair gray and I had a ton of flyaways. Just mist the areas that need help and smooth flyaways down with your fingers. I like Josh Rosebrook’s hairspray because it’s the only clean one I’ve found that actually works. And I’m not the only one. Here’s what other women with gray hair are saying…

Just some hairspray on my finger tips to smooth down works for me. – TNK Reader

I use a toothbrush and hairspray – TNK Reader

Use hair tools to tame flyaways

If you have the cash flow, several of the fancier hair tools like the Dyson Airwrap and the Shark FlexStyle and SpeedStyle have attachments that are designed to do just this: tame flyaways. I’ve tried them all. You can read how the Airwrap and FlexStyle compare to each other. 

The Dyson Supersonic hair dryer with the flyaway/frizz attachment leaves hair smooth, shiny, with the fly seats tucked underneath. – TNK Reader

SpeedStyle’s RapidGloss attachment is witchcraft—I don’t understand at all how it works, but it’s a miracle. – Nicolle

Get a hair glaze treatment to tame flyaways

Getting a glaze or a gloss is another option. I tried it and it definitely helps although you may still need some daily hairspray to get it to where you want it. And I’m not the only one…

I do go to my hairdresser and get a clear gloss semi permanent just for this reason. It only cost me $30, so I would not say expensive considering what I was paying before going natural. I’d say it a preference, if you feel ok having salon services done more power to you, if not choose something else. Not everyone is the same which makes us all unique! – Rene

Try using hyaluronic acid to tame flyaways

I haven’t personally tried hyaluronic acid to tame flyaways but it’s come up a couple times in our supportive community for women who are going gray like…

Saw a TikTok hairdresser tip to add hyaluronic acid to hair to smooth & hydrate. Tried it on my fly always & poof they were tame. – Jessica

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Best products to help tame flyaways 

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Did I miss any good tips? How do you tame flyaways?

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