How to Soften and Strengthen Your Hair

Improve the condition of your hair with gentle products and tools.

Strong yet soft hair is possible when the right haircare products are used in combination with gentle, stress-free styling tools. Your hair is susceptible to extensive damage from denatured alcohol, which is commonly found in many hair products to maintain hold while removing moisture. Styling tools also stand between you and healthy hair, as harsh brush bristles and flat irons weaken hair and sap moisture from your scalp. Natural or organic haircare products provide style without causing stress, but should always used as directed.

Things You'll Need

• Soft-bristled hairbrush
• Moisturizing shampoo
• Deep conditioner
• Lightweight leave-in conditioner

Instructions

1. Wash your hair daily with a moisturizing shampoo that contains natural oils including jojoba or olive oil. Natural oils restore strength and moisture, which are essential to maintaining healthy hair.

2. Coat your hair weekly with a deep conditioner. Focus on the ends of your hair -- they require additional moisture because they're the oldest parts and have a higher risk of splitting.

3. Limit your use of heated styling tools. Blow dryers and flat irons provide a sleek, straight look but damage hair over time. Heat reduces your hair's essential moisture.

4. Mist your hair with a light leave-in conditioner every other day. Leave-in conditioners seal in moisture, which allows your hair to grow stronger while avoiding product buildup. Don't spray your roots, which tend to have natural oils from your scalp and don't need additional moisture.

5. Protect your hair during cold weather. A hat helps keep your hair from drying out during the winter, when colder temperatures reduce your hair's total amount of moisture.

6. Limit hairbrush use. While it may seem counterintuitive to reduce daily brushing, it helps your hair by limiting the amount of stress caused by the tugging bristles. Gently run a wide-tooth comb or soft-bristled brush through your hair to smooth it without stress.

References

• Good Housekeeping: Gorgeous Hair at Any Age