Q: How can I make my hair feel very soft and silky?
A: I can give you the secret to soft and silky hair in three simple words: condition, condition, condition.
Ok, there's a little more to it than that, but conditioning IS the key. As I've said
before, many of the everyday things two which we subject our hair cause negative
effects. Blow drying, curling irons, flat irons, wind, pollution, swimming pool water, ocean
water, overexposure to the sun, and even sleeping all have the potential to damage the
hair in some degree. These activities raise or swell the cuticle layer of
the hair, and leave the hair feeling rough and straw-like. In this state, the hair is also vulnerable to
loss of moisture and exposed to things that can damage the hair's structure.
If you feel that your hair is "abused" by your daily routine and environment, the
first thing you want to do is use a deep conditioning treatment. There are many brands
and varieties available, but make sure the one you choose has high moisture content
and a protein-building formula. Apply the treatment according to the directions on the
package, and use the product once a week.
The next thing to do is take a good look at your shampoo and conditioner. Your
shampoo should be a gentle, moisturizing formula, and the conditioner needs to be
moisture-rich as well. This becomes especially important the more frequently you shampoo.
Finally, if you use blow-dryers, curling irons, flat-irons or if your hair is exposed to
the elements as part of your daily routine, you should also use a leave-in conditioner for extra protection.
Of course, all this applies only if you have "normal" hair. Those with coarse hair
may find they need to use deep conditioning treatments more often, while folks with
fine hair may find that daily use of an after-shampoo conditioner leaves their hair lank
and lifeless and that they do fine with just a gentle shampoo and leave-in conditioner (which tends to be lighter).
