How to Make Your Hair Really Soft Without Ruining Your Natural Oils

Olive oil will make your hair incredibly soft.

One way to get soft and silky hair is following a smart daily routine. Soft hair is built through regular care, not just occasional treatments. Learning what products to stay away from will also help you maintain soft hair and prevent hair damage. If you need to jump-start a hair routine or want a treatment that can make your hair shiny and soft quickly, there are conditioning masks or oils you can apply. Specialty treatments and masks should only be used occasionally, about once a week or less for the best results.

Things You'll Need

• Conditioner
• Deep conditioner
• Boar bristle brush
• Olive oil
• Towel
• Shampoo
• Vitamin E

Instructions

1. Condition your hair every time you wash it, but save the shampooing process for every couple of washes. Shampoo is designed to clean your hair by not only removing dirt, but also oils. This can leave your hair frizzy after washing, while leaving out the shampoo keeps your natural oils intact and your hair soft as silk.

2. Use only a boar bristle brush on your hair. The boar bristles, unlike plastic bristles, will move your natural oils through your hair, but not remove them. Try to keep brushing to a minimum to prevent hair damage and keep hair soft, not frizzy.

3. Apply a deep conditioner once a week to your hair. The stronger conditioner works with your natural oils to give you silky-soft hair. If your hair is naturally oily, treat it only once every two weeks.

4. Treat your hair with olive oil. Liberally apply slightly heated olive oil to your hair and scalp, then place a towel around your hair to lock in the olive oil. Let it sit for 25 minutes. before rinsing. Shampoo your hair to fully remove the olive oil.

Tips & Warnings

• Take a daily dose of Vitamin E. Vitamin E promotes healthy hair growth. You can find Vitamin E in such foods as nuts, spinach, broccoli, mangos, wheat germ and sunflower seeds or by taking a supplement. The National Institutes of Health recommends 15 milligrams of Vitamin E for men and women over 14 years old.

• Saltwater, long days in the sunshine and styling tools all cause your hair to dry out. Minimize your use of styling tools. Spray hair with a leave-in conditioner on days at the beach.

References

• "Self"; Healthy Hair Defined; Beth Janes
• "Shape": 12 Beauty Tips for Healthy Hair
• Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health: Vitamin E
• "The Hair Bible: A Complete Guide to Health and Care"; Philip King
• "Naturally Healthy Hair: Herbal Treatments And Daily Care for Fabulous Hair"; Mary Beth Janssen
• "Great Hair: Secrets to Looking Fabulous and Feeling Beautiful Every Day"; Nick Arrojo