Soft and Silky Hair

Woman with long and soft silky hair
Photo: Evgenyrychko/Shutterstock
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).
 
©Hairfinder.com
 
See also:
 
How to analyze your hair
 
Heat styling and how it can damage your hair
 
How to deep condition your hair
 
Is it true that you should change your shampoo regularly?