Some people are lucky to be born with smooth, silky hair. They don’t have to spend on salon treatments or use hair styling tools to keep frizz, dryness, and tangles at bay. However, others need to put in more effort to achieve the same results.

If you’re on a quest to find the secret to smooth hair, you’re not alone. From natural home remedies to hair care products and lifestyle changes, below are some simple techniques that can help you attain super-smooth locks.

Brush your hair.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but besides detangling hair knots, brushing your hair can provide many benefits. For one, it increases blood circulation, which helps in the healthy growth of hair strands. It also stimulates the sebaceous glands into producing sebum. Brushing your hair helps in distributing sebum from the roots and down to the tips of your strands, giving your hair a healthier shine. When you brush your hair, you also get rid of loose strands, excess hair styling product, and other impurities.

Knowing the benefits of brushing your hair might get you excited into making it a ritual. You might have even heard about the old-wives tale that say a hundred brushstrokes before going to bed can make your hair smooth and shiny. However, experts say that brushing your hair too much can be more damaging than beneficial to your hair. You only need to brush or comb your hair when you’re styling it. If you’ve just taken a shower, let your hair air-dry before brushing or combing. A wide-tooth comb is a good choice because it detangles hair without breaking it, unlike a fine-tooth comb that produces more friction.

Choose products based on your hair type.

How thin or thick your hair strands are will guide you in choosing the appropriate product for your hair. If you have thin or fine hair, choose hair care products that have a clear or gel-like texture instead of ones with a rich or creamy consistency. Look for ingredients such as cellulose, wheat, or rice.

If you have thick, wavy, or curly hair, include moisturizing products in your hair care routine. Shampoos and conditioners that contain fatty acids like cocoa or shea butter can provide the nourishment your hair needs.

For hair that’s become damaged or brittle because of the frequent use of heating tools, you can use hair strengthening products. They typically contain ingredients such as aloe vera, argan oil, or coconut oil. Shampoos, hair serums, or leave-in conditioners with truffle oil are also a good option. Truffle oil contains proteins and amino acids that help make your hair feel silky-smooth and look more lustrous. 

Rinse your hair with cold water.

Heat strips your hair of its natural oils, causing it to feel dry and brittle. When you shower, initially wetting your hair with warm water is a good step because it removes buildup. Warm water also unclogs your pores and opens up hair cuticles, preparing them for a thorough wash.

However, after applying shampoo or conditioner, rinse with cold water. The cold water helps in sealing in moisture and closing cuticles, giving your hair a healthy shine. It also closes pores, helping prevent dirt from entering your scalp. 

Apply a hair mask.

Hair masks are thicker and more potent versions of conditioners. They have hydrating and nourishing ingredients that can help address issues like frizz, brittleness, and dryness.

When applying a hair mask, make sure your hair is damp to allow the product penetrate your locks better. Leave it on for a few minutes or as directed. Afterwards, rinse off with cold water, then use a conditioner to add more hydration.

If you want to take the DIY route, you can create a hair mask using ingredients that you can find in your kitchen, like eggs, honey, or yogurt. 

Use heating tools less frequently.

Styling tools that use heat such as hair dryers, curling irons, and hair straighteners provide a quick fix to make your hair look smooth. However, excessive use of heating tools weakens your hair strands, resulting in breakage.

If you need to use heating appliances, consider applying a heat protectant to coat and protect your hair. Also, don’t use heat tools on wet hair. Before using a hair straightener or curling iron, make sure to air-dry your hair.

Consider a healthy hair diet.

Sometimes, dry and dull hair can be the effect of a poor diet. Changing your eating habits may not get you fast results, but in the long run, eating healthier benefits not just your hair—but also your whole body.

Incorporate superfoods such as avocado, quinoa, cacao, and chia seeds into your meals. Kitchen staples such as tomatoes, spinach, lentils, and walnuts are also rich in vitamins and minerals that can help improve hair texture.