How to Make Hair Feel Soft Again

When to Restore Hair Softness

Hair can lose its natural softness for various reasons, often indicating a compromised outer cuticle layer. You'll notice a lack of pliability, increased tangling, frizz, and a rough texture when touched. This loss of softness is a sign that your hair is prone to damage, breakage, and dullness, making it an opportune time to focus on restoration.

Contributing factors include:

• Environmental Exposure: Sun, wind, and dry climates can strip hair of moisture.
• Heat Styling: Frequent use of styling tools like flat irons, curling irons, and blow dryers without proper protection can lead to dryness and cuticle damage.
• Chemical Treatments: Perms, relaxers, and hair coloring (especially bleaching) can alter the hair's protein structure and compromise its moisture barrier.
• Improper Hair Care: Using harsh shampoos, insufficient conditioning, or aggressive brushing contributes to dryness.
• Product Buildup: Residue from styling products can create a film that obscures natural shine and softness.

Tools and Products Needed

To effectively restore hair softness, gather the following:

• Clarifying Shampoo: Used initially to remove buildup. Look for formulations with sulfates to effectively cleanse, but use sparingly.
• Moisturizing Shampoo: A gentle, hydrating daily cleanser. Ideal pH range for shampoos is typically between 5.0 and 5.5, which helps maintain cuticle integrity.
• Deep Conditioner/Hair Mask: Rich in humectants (like glycerin and hyaluronic acid) and emollients (like shea butter and argan oil) to deeply hydrate and seal the cuticle.
• Leave-in Conditioner: Provides ongoing moisture and protection.
• Wide-Tooth Comb: Essential for detangling wet hair without causing breakage.
• Microfiber Towel or Cotton T-shirt: For gentle drying, reducing friction and frizz.
• Heat Protectant Spray: Crucial if using heat styling tools, forming a barrier against thermal damage.
• Hair Oil or Serum (optional): For added shine, frizz control, and sealing moisture.
• Satin or Silk Pillowcase (optional): Reduces friction on hair while sleeping.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps for a comprehensive approach to restoring hair softness:

1. Clarify (Monthly/Bi-monthly): Begin with a clarifying shampoo to remove accumulated product, oil, and mineral buildup. Focus on the scalp and rinse thoroughly. This step optimizes subsequent treatments.
2. Gentle Cleansing (Regularly): Use a moisturizing shampoo. Massage gently into the scalp, allowing the lather to cleanse the lengths as you rinse. Avoid excessive scrubbing, which can rough up the cuticle.
3. Deep Condition (Weekly): After shampooing, gently squeeze excess water from your hair. Apply a generous amount of deep conditioner or hair mask, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends. Distribute evenly with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb. Leave on for the recommended time (typically 5-20 minutes). For enhanced penetration, you can cover your hair with a shower cap and apply gentle heat (e.g., a warm towel or indirect blow dryer heat on a low setting for a few minutes).
4. Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse with cool to lukewarm water. Cool water helps to close the hair cuticle, enhancing shine and smoothness.
5. Towel Dry Gently: Blot, don't rub. Use a microfiber towel or a soft cotton t-shirt to gently squeeze out excess water. This minimizes friction and prevents frizz.
6. Apply Leave-in Conditioner: While hair is damp, apply a leave-in conditioner. Focus on the mid-lengths and ends. This provides continuous hydration and protection throughout the day.
7. Detangle with Care: Starting from the ends and working your way up to the roots, gently detangle hair with a wide-tooth comb. Hold sections of hair to minimize pulling on the scalp.
8. Air Dry or Heat Style with Protection: Whenever possible, air dry your hair. If using heat tools, always apply a heat protectant spray beforehand to create a thermal barrier.

Pro Tips

• Water Temperature: Wash with lukewarm water to open the cuticle for cleansing and conditioning, then rinse with cool water to seal it, locking in moisture and shine.
• Ingredient Focus: Look for ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, argan oil, and ceramides in your conditioners and masks. These are effective humectants and emollients that attract and seal moisture.
• Protein Balance: While protein treatments can strengthen compromised hair, overuse can lead to stiffness. If your hair feels brittle and not just dry, incorporate a protein treatment every 4-6 weeks, alongside ample moisturizing products.
• Regular Trims: Split ends prevent light reflection and make hair feel rough. Regular trims (every 8-12 weeks) remove damaged ends and prevent further splitting.
• Protect at Night: If you have very dry or fragile hair, consider sleeping on a satin or silk pillowcase to reduce friction and minimize moisture loss.

Common Mistakes

• Over-shampooing: Washing hair too frequently or using harsh shampoos can strip natural oils, leading to more dryness. Aim for 2-3 times per week, adjusting based on hair type and activity level.
• Skipping Conditioner: Conditioner is non-negotiable for restoring softness. It smooths the cuticle, reduces tangles, and provides essential moisture.
• Ignoring Deep Conditioning: Weekly deep conditioning is crucial for concentrated moisture and repair that regular conditioners can't provide.
• Aggressive Towel Drying: Rubbing hair vigorously with a terry cloth towel creates friction, roughing up the cuticle and causing frizz and breakage.
• Over-styling with Heat Without Protection: High heat without a protective barrier causes significant damage, leading to dry, brittle, and rough hair.
• Applying Conditioners to the Scalp (for most hair types): While beneficial for dry scalps, applying heavy conditioners directly to the scalp can weigh down fine hair and contribute to greasiness. Focus on the mid-lengths and ends.

Aftercare for Lasting Softness

Maintaining soft hair requires consistent effort and a tailored routine. Once softness is restored, focus on prevention:

• Consistent Hydration: Continue with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, and deep condition every 1-2 weeks.
• Protect from Heat: Always use a heat protectant if styling with heat. Consider air drying when time allows.
• Avoid Over-Processing: Limit chemical treatments and ensure a professional performs them.
• Gentle Handling: Brush and comb hair gently, using appropriate tools. Never brush wet hair aggressively.
• Environmental Protection: Wear a hat in strong sun or wind to protect hair from environmental stressors. Watermans offers products formulated to maintain hair health and softness, even when battling environmental damage.

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Find these ingredients in Watermans products

• Argan Oil — you will find this ingredient in our Hair Growth Shampoo.
• Shea Butter — you will find this ingredient in our Curly Hair Conditioner.

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Did you know?

• Hair's softness largely depends on its cuticle layer, the outermost part of the hair shaft.
• Over-washing hair can strip its natural oils, leading to dryness and a rough texture.
• Using a silk pillowcase can reduce friction on hair, helping to maintain its smoothness and prevent damage.