There’s nothing quite like the feeling of pine-scented air and the shade of a beautiful tree. That is, until you lean back against the trunk and find your hair has become a sticky, tangled mess. Getting tree sap in your hair is a surprisingly common and frustrating problem. It clings with a vengeance, making it difficult to brush and style.
Before you consider a drastic haircut, take a deep breath. Removing sap from hair is entirely possible with a little patience and the right household products. The key is to break down the sticky resin without damaging your hair in the process.
Your First Line of Defense: Oils and Butter
When you first notice the sap, your kitchen is the best place to start. Natural oils are excellent for dissolving the sticky substance. Grab some olive oil, coconut oil, or even a creamy peanut butter. The fats in these products help to break the sap’s bond with your hair.
Apply a generous amount of your chosen oil or butter directly to the affected area, making sure to fully coat the sap. Gently work it in with your fingers and let it sit for several minutes. This gives the oil time to penetrate and loosen the resin. After waiting, you can often peel or roll the sap away from the hair strands.
Moving on to Other Household Helpers
If the oil method doesn’t clear everything, you have another powerful option: rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer. These work by breaking down the sap’s chemical structure. Be cautious, as these can be drying, so it’s best to use them sparingly.
Dampen a cotton ball with a small amount of rubbing alcohol or use a pea-sized amount of alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Gently dab and rub at the remaining sap until it begins to dissolve. You should feel the stickiness start to disappear.
Time for a Thorough Cleanse
Once the sap is gone, it’s crucial to wash your hair. The residue from the sap, oil, and any alcohol needs to be thoroughly cleaned out. Use your regular shampoo and consider lathering twice to ensure everything is removed. A good conditioner will help restore moisture, especially if you used a drying agent like rubbing alcohol.
For any final, tiny bits of residue, a wide-tooth comb can help gently detangle the hair after conditioning while you’re still in the shower.
A Few Tips to Prevent Future Sticky Situations
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When you know you’ll be spending time in the woods, wearing your hair up in a bun or under a hat can provide a simple but effective barrier between your locks and any sticky tree trunks.
Getting sap in your hair is an annoying experience, but it doesn’t have to be a hair-raising crisis. With common household items and a gentle approach, you can restore your hair to its smooth, sap-free state and get back to enjoying the great outdoors.