Soft and shiny hair is everyone’s dream. No wonder many people are looking for ways to soften hair.
Unfortunately, the natural beauty of our hair will diminish over time either due to the aging process, unhealthy lifestyle, or styling that causes the hair cuticles to become damaged and brittle.
Over time, the natural oils in your hair can peel off and cause dryness.
For this reason, it is very important to take care of it by softening the right hair. The solution to dry hair is actually very simple.
We just need to re-hydrate it, which can be done in the following ways, either naturally or using hair care products.
How to Soften Hair with Natural Masks
When you find that your hair is dry or damaged, don’t rush to hunt for exorbitant care products that claim to instantly restore the beauty of your hair.
It turns out that there are many alternative ways to soften hair naturally using ingredients that are easily found around us, such as the following six ways to soften hair naturally:
1. Coconut Oil Mask
Coconut oil is high in lauric acid. According to the Journal of Cosmetic Science , these compounds work to add moisture to the hair and reduce protein loss.
Using a little coconut oil as a treatment before or after shampooing has proven to be a way to soften hair because it increases moisture and reduces frizz.
How to make a coconut oil mask:
- Pour enough coconut oil into your palms and then apply it all over your hair and scalp. Add volume of coconut oil to areas that feel very dry, usually at the ends of your hair.
- Leave it for about 15 minutes.
- Rinse with shampoo until clean of residual oil.
Michelle Parkes, hair stylist for Hollywood artist and owner of Core Salon, said that another way to soften hair is to mix coconut oil with conditioner.
He also shares how to soften hair that is already dry and badly damaged.
“Apply coconut oil immediately after washing it wet. Cover it with a shower cap overnight. You will be amazed by the results the next morning when you wash it,” he explained.
2. Olive Oil Mask
The next way to soften hair is to use olive oil .
According to a study from Molecules , virgin olive oil contains a compound called squalene which has the ability to act as a moisturizer in various cosmetic products.
Pure olive oil or extra virgin olive oil contains vitamin E and other antioxidants.
Another study in 2010 showed that nutrients in the vitamin E family can help promote hair growth.
So, the benefits that you can get by using an olive oil mask as a way to soften your hair are unquestionable.
How to make an olive oil mask:
- Take 2 tbsp to 1/4 cup virgin olive oil and warm the oil. Moms can warm it using the microwave for 10 seconds or warm the oil with the double broiler method, aka the team. Make sure the temperature of the oil is not too hot and just getting warm.
- Leave the oil until the temperature is comfortable enough to apply to the head.
- Apply olive oil evenly from the scalp to the ends of the hair shafts. Massage the scalp for a few moments so that the oil sticks to the entire surface.
- Cover your hair with a shower cup for about 15-30 minutes. Leaving your hair in for more than that usually doesn’t produce significant results, so just 30 minutes at most.
- Next, take a hair comb using a wide-toothed comb. Better yet, use a loose round comb.
- Rinse hair using shampoo until clean.
If your hair is very dry, you can do this treatment twice a week. But if your hair type is oily, use an olive oil mask every few weeks.
3. Avocado Fruit Mask
Avocado contains natural oils, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and monounsaturated fats which are considered “good” fats.
Therefore, this fruit is considered good for moisturizing hair, especially dry and rough hair. Even so, avocado masks can be used on all hair types as a way to soften hair.
This fruit is also rich in vitamins that can nourish the scalp and help hair look healthy, shiny, and hydrated.
One of them is because avocados contain biotin, which is a compound that helps the growth of hair and nails to be healthier.
How to make avocado mask:
- Prepare one avocado and 2-3 tablespoons of coconut oil .
- Split and take the coconut flesh, place it in a container. Mash the avocado with a fork until soft and mix with the coconut oil. Adjust the consistency, if it’s too thick you can add more coconut oil.
- Apply the avocado mask starting from the ends of the hair towards the scalp. Leave it for at least 15 minutes before rinsing it with shampoo and clean water.
4. Bentonite Clay
Bentonite clay is a mud-like material derived from volcanic ash. Sometimes this ingredient is used in the beauty care industry primarily as a face mask .
But bentonite clay can also be used on hair as a natural way to add moisture and flush out toxins.
To date, there is very little scientific research supporting the benefits of bentonite clay as a hair softener.
But one review published in the Iranian Journal of Public Health found that bentonite clay can help make fleece grow faster and softer.
How to make a bentoite clay mask:
- Prepare 1 cup bentonite clay powder, 1 cup water and 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar.
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl until it forms a thicker paste. Adjust the consistency, if it’s not liquid enough, you can add water or apple cider vinegar. It would be very good if you use warm water.
- Apply to hair like using a hair mask in general and then rinse thoroughly.
5. Honey Mask
Thanks to the therapeutic properties of honey, honey has been used for centuries as a shampoo and conditioner for shampooing .
Today, natural ingredients are still popular in many types of hair care products.
This is because of the benefits of honey for hair such as softening dry hair and scalp, reducing split ends, restoring hair shine, and being a way of softening hair. In addition, honey has a good binding compound
How to make a honey mask:
- Mix 1/2 cup honey with 1/4 cup olive oil and mix well. Microwave the honey mixture for 20 seconds and let the mask sit until warm.
- Clean the hair and then apply the mask from the scalp to the ends of the hair. You can use your hands or use a mask brush.
- After that, cover your head with a shower cap and let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Rinse hair thoroughly using shampoo.
For maximum results, you can use raw organic honey which has a higher antioxidant content. But any type of honey should still have good benefits for softening hair.
6. Aloe Vera Mask
The next way to soften the hair is with an aloe vera mask . In fact, very few studies have specifically looked at the benefits of aloe vera for hair.
However, aloe vera or aloe vera is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce scalp irritation and the content of vitamins C, E, B-12, folic acid, and choline in it can help nourish and strengthen hair.
How to make an aloe vera mask:
- Take 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in a bowl. Moms can use real aloe vera or aloe vera gel that is sold in stores. Heat the two mixtures in the microwave.
- Mix well the mask mixture.
- Start the application from the center of the hair and work your way to the ends. After applying the mask to the ends of your hair, you can gently reapply it to your scalp. However, you can start applying a mask from the scalp if you specifically use a mask to help deal with dandruff.
7. Banana and Olive Oil Mask
The next way to soften the hair is to use a banana mask mixed with olive oil.
Launching the Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry , banana masks can help treat hair and control dandruff.
While olive oil can help soften and strengthen hair . The citric acid in lemon juice can help balance the pH of your hair. Honey can help reduce dandruff.
How to make a banana and olive oil mask:
- Mash 2 ripe bananas in a bowl until they form a paste and are free of lumps.
- Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, honey and lemon juice (each) to the mashed banana. Stir well so that the mask is thick evenly.
- Apply this to the scalp and hair and leave it on for 30 minutes.
- Wash hair with a mild sulfate-free shampoo.
8. Hibiscus Flower Mask
Hibiscus is a treatment that is quite well known as a way to soften hair.
Launching the Journal of Ethnopharmacology , nutrients from hibiscus petals that are used as masks can improve blood circulation in the scalp and therefore can overcome hair loss and stimulate hair growth.
How to make a hibiscus mask:
- Boil 5-6 hibiscus flowers until boiling.
- Put the hibiscus flower stew in a blender, add water, blend until it forms a thick paste.
- Add 3 tbsp warm coconut oil to the pasta, mix well. Leave it until it cools down a bit
- Apply this solution on the scalp and massage gently. Let it soak for 1-2 hours.
- Wash with warm water until clean.
9. Cinnamon Mask
The next way to soften the hair is to use a cinnamon mask mixed with coconut oil.
Cinnamon masks seem to be able to help restore and speed up hair growth. While coconut oil smooths hair thoroughly.
How to make a cinnamon and coconut oil mask:
- Prepare 3 tablespoons of cinnamon powder and 4 tablespoons of coconut oil.
- Mix the ingredients and stir until smooth.
- Apply the mask from roots to tips of hair and massage so that the mask absorbs into the scalp.
- Leave it for 30 to 45 minutes and wash out.
- Try to do this mask at least once a week.
10. Oatmeal Mask
Oatmeal contains lipids and proteins that moisturize the scalp, help prevent dandruff and refresh hair. If you use oatmeal on your hair regularly, you can feel a soft sensation from the tip of your scalp to the tips of your hair.
How to make:
- Mix oatmeal with warm milk and warm almond oil. Mix well.
- Apply this paste over the scalp, and massage in circular motions, leave for 1 hour.
- Wash the scalp with warm water until clean.
That’s how to soften hair with a mask made from natural ingredients.
However, it’s okay if you want to use instant hair masks that are widely sold as hair care products. But make sure the product does not contain alcohol, Moms.
Because alcohol can make dry and damaged hair worse.
In addition, hair serum, leave-in conditioner , and clarifying shampoo can also be used daily as a treatment for damaged hair.