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How To Get Silky Hair: The 10 Commandments For Smooth And Shiny Locks

How To Get Silky Hair

 

Who does not want to have silky hair? The smoothness and shiness of silky hair are noticeably beautiful and just stand out.  The good news is, you too can covet the perfectly satin-finish locks without having to go through pricey fad treatments. The secret on how to get silky hair is a healthy hair care routine.  Here are the 10 hair beauty tips to get silky hair and to free you from follicular sin.

10 Commandments on How to Get a Silky Hair

Tips on How to Get a Silky Hair1.  “Thou Shalt Not Over-Cleanse”

Shampooing is basic hair care hygiene. It removes hair of dirt, debris, and other impurities that clogs up hair follicles, impeding its ability to grow. However, lathering daily can also parched hair of natural conditioning sebum which your scalp needs to keep your hair healthy and hydrated. Unless you work out daily, have super oily hair, fond of applying styling products, or live in a place wherein pollution and humidity is a challenge, it is okay to skip a wash to maintain the natural production of oil in your hair. Read also: Best drugstore shampoo for oily hair

Wash hair 2 to 3 times a week, preferably every other day.

This helps hair stay smooth and silky especially if you have curly hair that does not need frequent washing. And as much as we love a bubbly rich lather, shampoos containing strong foaming agents can damage and dry hair a.k.a. the opposite of silkiness. As a good rule of thumb, always go for Sulfate-free and pH-balanced shampoos which are generally safe for all hair types. Pair it up with a good conditioner to lock in moisture and give hair a smoother finish.

But what if I wash my hair with water to get through non-shampoo days?

After all, it’s just water. It won’t harm hair, right? Wrong. Water can subject the hair to hygral fatigue which puts stress on fiber and causes damage over time. This is where dry shampoo comes in handy. Dry shampoos clean hair of oil and greasiness without the help of water.

Be mindful of randomly picking a dry shampoo, however, as the market is full of chemical-laden formula that does nothing but exacerbates build-up. Instead, opt for revitalizing plant-based dry shampoos like that of OGX Extra Strength Refresh & Restore + Coconut Miracle Oil Dry Shampoo, Made of coconut oil, and other blends of nourishing plant extracts, this dry shampoo prevents hair from becoming greasy and keeps it fresh and hydrated in between shampooing.

2.  “Thou Shalt Only Rinse Hair With Cold Water”

The tried-and-true way to perfectly end the washing routine without losing in touch with natural shine is to rinse it with cool-to-cold water. Coldwater is what closes cuticles sealing in coveted nutrients to the cuticles and pores, upping up luster and shine. Leave the use of warm water at the beginning of the wash to open cuticles and glands, helpful in removing dirt and residue. Read also: Best shine spray for hair reviews

Too much hot water on the other side will leave hair brittle and prone to breakage.

The flipside of washing with hot water is it dilutes essential oils and moisture that keeps hair resilient. This can result in dehydrated and frizzy hair that is prone to damage in addition to blasting the volume of your locks. That’s why it is important to lower down the temperature of the water when washing hair, just enough to reach the warmness.

It is also worth mentioning to not overexposed your hair to warm water to rip off its cleansing benefit without drying hair. Just soak hair with warm water until your hair is wet enough to work with the lathering. And always keep in mind, warm water is for pre-shampooing and cold water is for post-conditioner rinsing.

3.  “Thou Shalt Handle Thy Wet Hair With Care”

Hair is in the most delicate state when it’s wet. The reason being is the formation of weaker hydrogen bonds in wet strands, making it susceptible to just about anything including a simple routine such as combing or towel-drying. This means that you should treat wet hair with great care, more carefully and lovingly as you do with your dry tresses.

Treat your tangles with patience.

While it may be convenient to just tug those knots when in a rush, doing so will produce constant traction, especially that wet hair is vulnerable to breaking. This is a recipe to ugly split ends and frizziness which further deviates you from your “how to get silky hair“ plan! So have a little patience and use a wide-tooth comb or a brush that is specifically designed for wet hair to help you with the tangles.

The best way to detangle hair when wet is to start from the bottom. This way you can ease knots without aggressively pulling hair. And don’t over-comb it as it will only encourage friction that fluffs up the cuticle. Only switch to brush when your hair dries. Hot tip: Wide-tooth combs made of wood are great as a detangler because they promote shine while taming frizz and static.

Should I air-dry or blow-dry? What’s the better way to dry hair?

You may have heard that air-drying is better than blow-drying since the former doesn’t use the application of heat. The truth is, both drying techniques have their own element of damage if not done the proper way. Letting your hair wet for longer cause the cuticle to swell and crack, permanently weakening the structural composition of hair. If you are not careful enough, blow-drying hair can take hair moisture which can also result in some level of damage.

The healthiest option is to do both techniques but in a correct procedure. Do not blow-dry right away. Instead, squeeze hair gently (we repeat, squeeze gently and not rub, you don’t want to create friction) with a microfiber towel or a cotton shirt until you take as much water out. Then let it air dry for about 10 to 15 minutes or until your hair is 50 to 60 percent dry. And by doing so, refrain from wrapping the hair with a towel or putting it in a bun as this will only create more knots. Instead, let your hair hang loosely as it dries.

Always use a nozzle when blow-drying. The nozzle helps control the amount of heat emanating from the dryer so you won’t scorch your strands and your hair stays smooth and flat. If you have curly hair, you can benefit from a diffuser. It helps keep frizz at a minimum and dry hair without disturbing the curl pattern. For that smoothest blow-out, finish with the cool setting.

4.  “Thou Shalt Worship Thy Nourishing Treatments”


In this “how to get silky hair” scheme, it would be a sin not to mention the primary step in promoting healthy hair — bathing it with nourishment. We are talking about weekly conditioning treatments. Especially, if your hair is damaged and prone to dullness, a weekly intensive hair care treatment can dramatically nurture hair even with a single-use.

If you cannot make it to a beauty salon, the market is full of conditioning hair masks that are readily available for purchase. The most popular product in this category is the Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Hair Mask. The good thing about this treatment is it’s free of hair aggressors such as sulfate and silicone, only nourishing botanicals and healthy fats that are very hydrating and health-giving to hair.

If you are leaning towards DIY, there are also a lot of natural remedies you can run into. Chances are, the ingredients are already in your kitchen. From softening honey, egg hair wash, moisturizing fruits, and moisturizing coconut oil, you can easily whip a homemade hair mask recipe without having to worry about the ingredients because you are making it on your own!

5.  “Thou Shalt Protect Thy Hair When Sleeping”

Those tossing and turning during sleep allows hair to glide and rough up, turning your delicate strands into a crazy mess. But with a little bit of a pre-sleep hair regimen before getting under the covers, you could set your hair up to tangle-free gorgeous looking locks for the next day.

Be a silk or satin sleeper.

Your cotton pillowcase is likely the reason why you’re waking up with a tangled nest. Cotton fabric creates harsh friction between hair which gives rise to knots, making the morning comb-out process even more challenging. Switching to a silk or satin pillowcase can reduce friction between the fabric and the hair since they are much smoother textiles as opposed to cotton.

Don’t have a silk pillowcase? No problem, wrapping your hair loosely with a satin or silk garment ( like a scarf or a shirt for instance) will do the same benefit of protecting your hair while sleeping. There are also protective sleep caps available for purchase, that although may seem old-fashioned ways of sleeping, preserve smooth hair and curls no matter how many times you toss and turn at night. Plus if you are fond of nightly moisturizing treatment, silky and satin caps allow deeper penetration whilst sealing the moisture in the hair.

Sleep in a braid or bun.

Another answer to the question of how to get silky hair while sleeping is to braid hair. This technique prevents strands from overlapping in addition to locking in moisture that would normally escape when hair is untied while sleeping. You can get the same benefit from putting your hair in a high bun.

Additionally, braids overnight will form beach waves while the high placement of bun will set your hair into a va-va-va volume the next time you wake up. Now, who needs styling tools when you can just sleep it off to tousled curls? Just make sure to braid or bun your hair loosely as tying your hair tight puts a strain on your scalp and will eventually damage hair. Also, don’t forget to use scrunchies instead of a regular hair tie to avoid unwanted crease marks.

6.  “Thou Shalt Use Heat-Styling Tools With Caution”

As much as we love ironing and curling, everyday heat treatment can leave hair dry and brittle. This is why hot tools should be used in moderation. There are also several foolproof ways you can style your hair without the use of heat. As previously stated, sleeping with a braid will give you a wavy hairstyle. But waves can also be created by misting hair with a sea salt spray and other texturizing products.

But let’s be real, blow-drying our hair on a regular basis has been a part of our hair care routine. This is where heat-protection products are a godsend. There are thermal-protecting sprays, creams, and serums that you can coat your hair prior to the use of heat appliances. Much like sunscreen, thermal products leave hair with a film that reduces damage when applied before heat styling.

If you can’t just give up with styling irons, at least invest in one that is made with ceramic and tourmaline plates. These innovative tools are equipped with special ionic technology to keep down the amount of possible heat damage, all while imparting hair with a sleek and shiny finish.

Do remember, however, that less is more. Over-styling and loading your hair with products can leave it stiff and dull over time, a far cry from your “how to get silky hair” goal. Instead, make the most of what your momma gave you. Nothing is as beautiful as a natural and carefree hair texture!

7.  “Thou Shalt Keep Thy Hair Unharmed from Environmental Aggressors”

Environmental stressors such as pollution, humidity, and sun rays among many others not only affect us but also have a great impact on the wellness of even the healthiest hair as evident by its lifelessness, roughness, and dullness. Taking some precautionary measures can help keep your hair unharmed from these challenging environmental conditions.

Condition. Condition. Condition!

We can’t stress enough how deep conditioning is very much important in this battle of hair dryness. This is especially true if you live in a high-humid or dry environment, or fond of swimming in chlorinated pools or salt waters where hair often loses its moisture. Using a conditioner after shampooing just won’t cut it. Another benefit of hair masks, as well as hot oils, is their ability to improve hair’s absorption of moisture while protecting hair and slowing down the damage. Hence, it is a must to incorporate masks and treatments to your weekly hair regimen.

Beat the heat.

Unless you want to fry your hair with the harsh UV rays, wearing a hat under the sun is a must. Sunlight is another culprit of moisture loss in addition to fading the color of your hair. If wearing a hat, cap or scarf outdoors is not your thing, at least apply some protection to your hair. Did you know that you can mix a high SPF sunscreen in your deep-conditioning mask? Soaking hair with SPF will help protect hair against the sun while the leave-in mask maintains moisture level.

Clarify once in a while.

Living in a polluted environment can cause an accumulation of oil and dirt in hair. The same is true if you are fond of coating your hair with styling products. Both of these circumstances can result in hair rotting and becoming a source of foul odor. Your regular shampoo won’t suffice as it won’t be able to fully dissolve the heavy build-up.

Once or twice a month, you need to deep cleanse hair with a clarifying shampoo to detoxify impurities. It gives hair a deep spring clean by removing stubborn build-up. Note that you should only clarify on a weekly basis (or every other week if your hair is color-treated) however, as the daily use of this special shampoo could lead to hair dryness due to the presence of strong surfactants. Don’t forget to condition hair afterward.

Those whose area is affected by hard water could also need a clarifying shampoo more than ever. You may not know it but hard water contains heavy metals and minerals that do not only wreak havoc on your hair but also create a build-up that hinders the penetration of nourishing products on your hair. Clarifying shampoos as well as shampoos formulated for hard water can help adverse the negative effect of mineral salts on hair.

8.  “Thou Shalt Book A Trim Often”

No matter how silky and smooth your hair is, split ends can ruin your overall hair look. The splitting and fraying of the hair shaft (or simply called the split ends) are a reality for many people, something that is inevitable due to several internal and external factors. Unfortunately, split ends are hair damage that cannot be fixed no matter how much you spend time on conditioning hair. The only quick solution is to trim hair.

But even if your hair is split-free, getting trims every now and then can help hair grow faster and stronger. It is recommended that you should trim at least once every three months or depending on the density of your hair. Fine hair should be trimmed every six weeks while thick hair every eight weeks.

9.  “Thou Shalt Not Forsake Thy Scalp”


In this “how to get silky hair” journey, we often focus on the hair that we forget about the wellness of our scalp. Remember, the health of our tresses also depends on the environment where the hair grows from — the scalp. Thus, developing a scalp care routine is just as important as hair care.

It all starts with regular cleansing.

More than the hair, the scalp needs the most cleansing because the follicle glands produce sebum, which if not cleanse for a long period of time becomes oily, and the source of dandruff-triggering yeast. So when shampooing, make sure to gently massage the lather onto the roots to remove oil buildup. Make sure to remove any residue by rinsing it thoroughly.

Incorporate exfoliation in your weekly hair care regimen. This is especially helpful if you suffer from a skin disorder, such as overly dry skin or psoriasis, where there is a rapid skin cell turnover that triggers the heavy accumulation of dead skin cells. There are a plethora of exfoliating shampoos that you can purchase to carry out the goal.

Invest in a good boar bristle brush.

A happy scalp means healthy hair. And one way to nurture your follicle glands is through scalp massages. Gently rubbing your scalp with lukewarm water helps encourage blood circulation and soothe nerves and capillaries. You could also massage with nourishing oil to keep your scalp well-fed. It will gift you lustrous hair in return.

If you want to shoot two birds in one stone, a boar bristle brush will give you the same massaging benefits, all while brushing hair. Unlike regular hairbrush, boar bristle brush as it is known for is made of natural bristle which when used in hair brushing massages the scalp, facilitating in the distribution of natural oils so that the entire length of the hair gets its nourishing benefits. If you want your best selection for boar bristle brush, you can find your match in BESTOOL Hair Brush, a brand that carries a line of a top-rated boar bristle brush. Read also: Best brushes for fine hair

10.  “Thou Shalt Have A Healthy Diet”

You know the saying “ you are what you eat”? Well the same can be said with hair care. The things we eat could make or break our hair beauty regimen. When you don’t get the right vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients your body needs, it will show in the growth of your hair. Lack of protein, for instance, is a major cause of noticeable hair loss because this deficiency inhibits the body’s ability to grow more hair follicles.

If healthy hair growth is what your heart desires, eat a diet rich in protein as well as iron, zinc, and healthy fatty acids which are the essential nutrients your body needs to encourage the growth of hair follicles. In addition to foods containing healthy fats or Omega 3 like salmon, avocado, and nuts also stimulate shinier and more resilient hair. Keeping your body hydrated by drinking enough water also supports the vitamins that encourage hair growth.

Conclusion

How to get silky hair productsYou don’t have to frequent the salon or drain your wallet on expensive hair treatments if you want to covet the perfectly silky hair. Instead, put an effort into practicing the “how to get silky hair” rituals that you just learned. It may not be an overnight result, but with the right hair care routine and preventative measures in place, you’ll be sporting the hair of your dreams soon.

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