How to achieve soft and smooth hair (for men)

No one wants hair as stiff as bamboo roots, but most products that help achieve smooth hair are designed for women. Men who want to have soft, smooth hair should look for mild shampoos, conditioners, and natural hair oils; rinse hair daily with water, but limit the number of washes and avoid styling products with ingredients that dry out the hair. Taking gentle, comprehensive care of your hair will help you achieve the desired results. While specific hair care routines may vary depending on hair type and quality, achieving soft, smooth hair is really quite simple, as long as you do it the right way.

Choose a mild shampoo. To keep your hair soft and smooth, you need to clean it, but without overdoing it. The natural oils on your hair help keep it strong, but oils can also attract dirt, causing hair to become greasy and look dirty. You need to balance cleaning to maintain soft, smooth hair; mild shampoo is a crucial part of your hair cleansing routine.

• Opt for shampoos with natural ingredients and avoid overly strong artificial fragrances. These are the main reasons your hair dries out after prolonged use and affect the ability to form natural oils. Be sure to check the ingredients and avoid shampoos with parabens and sulfates. This is especially important if you have curly or wavy hair.
• While you may not be a child, baby shampoos or those made for kids can be quite effective at giving your hair a soft, smooth texture due to their minimal ingredients. These products are typically gentle on hair and eyes, cost-effective, widely available, and suitable for all ages.

Use natural conditioner. One of the best ways to achieve soft, smooth hair is by using conditioner regularly, even when you're not shampooing. Conditioner helps improve the condition of your hair tips, keeping each strand strong, preventing split ends, and tackling other issues that affect hair texture. Similar to shampoo, you should choose a conditioner without artificial fragrances or dyes.

• If you have short hair, you can't avoid conditioner from getting on your scalp. Therefore, choose a mild conditioner or one that adds volume to prevent your hair from becoming greasy.
• While 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner products are often marketed to men, it's best to avoid them. Like combined shampoo and body wash, these products don’t provide specialized hair nourishment and can make your hair dry and stiff over time, working against your goals. It's better to buy separate products.

Try using natural oils. Depending on your hair's natural oil level, brushing your hair with a little oil can be effective as it strengthens the hair and creates the smoothness you desire. You can care for coarse hair by brushing it with oil daily or several times a week. Some natural oils that are effective for hair include:

• Coconut oil
• Olive oil
• Argan oil
• Sesame oil
• Moroccan oil
• Mustard oil

Avoid using styling products. Using gels, mousse, and hair sprays will make your hair dry and stiff, looking like bamboo roots. Use oils or natural oil capsules for styling (if needed) and avoid styling products. If you must use artificial styling products, make sure to wash your hair at the end of the day and nourish it with natural oils to keep your hair healthy.

• Most styling products contain alcohol, which dehydrates your hair and disrupts its ability to retain moisture. Don't let styling products negatively impact your hair – let your body take care of you.
• If you really want to use styling products, try wax and pomade made from natural oils and beeswax. These products not only style your hair but also moisturize it.

Rinse your hair daily. To maintain soft, smooth hair, it's best to rinse off dirt after each day to keep your hair clean and silky. Rinsing your hair with clean water helps retain the benefits of natural oils and allows the oils to nourish your hair more effectively. You don't need to shampoo every day, as this can dry out your hair.

• If you can't shower, you can wet your comb to brush your hair, or rinse your hair at the sink as a way to keep it clean. You don’t necessarily need to shampoo every time you shower.

It’s not advisable to wash your hair too frequently. Generally, it’s best not to wash your hair more than once every three days. The frequency will depend on the natural oiliness of your hair. Some people may only need to shampoo once a week to keep their hair clean, shiny, and healthy, while others may need to wash their hair every other day.

• Limit the amount of shampoo you use; no more than a pea-sized amount. Wet your hands, lather the shampoo before massaging it into your hair, focusing on the ends and working your way up to the scalp. Massage gently and rinse thoroughly with warm water.
• If you don't use heat styling tools (such as straighteners or blow dryers) and your hair is not dry, you can wash your hair daily.

Apply conditioner to the ends of your hair. Some people prefer to use conditioner more often than shampoo. For example, they may wash their hair once a week and apply conditioner three times a week to keep it soft and smooth, depending on the health and oiliness of their hair. Apply this method after shampooing, followed by a rinse with warm water.

• It’s important to remember to rinse out both the shampoo and conditioner completely after each wash. Long hair is often hard to rinse thoroughly, which can lead to sticky hair when dry and visible residue.

Use a towel to dry your hair. After rinsing your hair with water, washing it with shampoo and conditioner, it’s best to gently towel dry your hair and let it air dry naturally. Gently drying your hair will help maintain its strength and shine.

• Avoid using a blow dryer with direct heat on your hair, as this habit can cause it to become dry and frizzy. It's best to avoid using heat to dry your hair.

Massage natural oils into your scalp after using shampoo. After a few washes during the week, it's best to apply one of the natural oils mentioned above and gently comb it through your hair. You can apply coconut oil or other natural oils to a fine-toothed comb and comb it directly into your hair or use your hands to massage the oil into your scalp, then comb your hair for similar results.

• Avoid applying oil more than once or twice a week, as this can cause your hair to become greasy and collect more dust, making it harder to clean. Therefore, avoid using oils and hair products too frequently.

Brush your hair every morning. Brushing is an important step to maintain clean and silky hair. Tangled hair is hard to manage, often leading to damage and dryness. It’s recommended to use a fine-tooth plastic comb to brush your hair several times each morning to untangle it, leaving your hair smooth and healthy.

• If your hair is very tangled, apply some oil to the comb to help untangle and nourish your hair. You can also use a little water. Depending on the thickness of your hair, a paddle brush may be a good choice, especially for thick hair.

Use a hair straightener. If your hair is thick or curly, a straightening iron can help make it smooth and soft. However, keep in mind that straighteners and other heat styling tools can cause damage to your hair, so it’s essential to follow some protective tips:

• Only straighten your hair when it's dry. Wet hair is more susceptible to heat damage than dry hair.
• Use a heat-protecting spray, cream, or serum before straightening.
• Avoid straightening the same section of hair multiple times.

Blow-dry your hair. Blow-drying can also make your hair soft and shiny. However, you should take steps to prevent dryness or heat damage caused by excessive blow-drying:

• Pat your hair dry with a towel before blow-drying. This will reduce drying time and lower the risk of damage.
• Apply a hair serum to your entire head before blow-drying.
• If you want smooth hair, use a paddle brush to gently comb your hair straight as you blow-dry. Dry from the roots down to the tips.

Trim your hair regularly. To prevent split ends and maintain soft, smooth hair, it’s best to trim your hair often. Even a small trim helps keep your hair strong and promotes even growth. You may also want to consult a hair care expert to identify any issues and get recommendations for products and methods to keep your hair soft and healthy every day.

Lengthen Your Hair. Extremely short hair often feels less soft and smooth, while long hair requires more time for maintenance and cleaning. If you want soft, manageable hair, growing it to about 2.5 - 7.5 cm offers a good length that allows you to run your fingers through it and style it in various ways, without being too long to manage easily.

Avoid Dyeing Your Hair. Dyeing your hair is one of the quickest ways to make it dry and brittle. The dyeing process strips the natural oils, which makes it harder to maintain hair strength. Healthy hair is more important than color or style, so you should embrace the natural beauty of grey hair and be satisfied with it.

Limit Sun Exposure. Sunlight fades hair color, dries hair, and creates a rough texture. If you want smooth hair, you need to take care of it and avoid prolonged sun exposure. Make sure to protect your body from the sun's effects and treat your hair with oil after being outside for too long.

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat if you plan to stay outdoors in the sun for an extended period. Protect yourself from UV rays by covering your hair with a hat to avoid direct sun exposure.

Take Vitamin Supplements. It's crucial to add necessary nutrients and vitamins to your healthy diet to ensure your body, including your hair, remains strong and vibrant. Vitamins E, C, Biotin, iron, and zinc are directly linked to the texture and strength of your hair. Include foods rich in vitamins and minerals in your diet, and take vitamin supplements if needed.

• Almonds, carrots, bananas, dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds, and bean sprouts are excellent foods to incorporate into your diet for stronger hair due to their richness in essential vitamins and nutrients.
• Eating around 100 grams of red meat can help increase Keratin production – a protein that strengthens and shines hair and nails. Additionally, fish is a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids that keep hair soft and smooth.