How to Make Your Hair Softer: Tips, Treatments and Products

Who doesn't want silky, soft hair? To achieve that irresistible, 'can't stop touching' smoothness, you need a routine that deeply nourishes, reduces friction, defies heat and sun damage, and helps your hair hold onto moisture. Use smoothing shampoos and conditioners, apply a hair mask once per week (at least), seal dry ends with an oil and always use a heat protectant. It's also important to show hair the most delicate care with silk pillowcases, satin scrunchies, and a microfiber towel.

Here we reveal everything that goes into silky hair, from your full stylist-approved routine to smoothing formulas that truly work. So, keep scrolling for your everything guide on how to make hair softer...

What Causes Hair to Feel Rough or Coarse?

You might notice that straw-like texture if your hair has experienced damage, moisture loss or product build-up. Here's why these factors have such an impact on the softness of your hair...

Hair Damage

When hair is damaged – whether that's due to heat, friction or chemical processing – the outer layer, called the hair cuticle, can become raised and uneven. A healthy cuticle lies flat, giving hair a soft, silky feel, but a damaged, raised cuticle can feel rough and is also more prone to tangling.

Moisture Loss

Your hair needs a balance of water and lipids to stay flexible and soft, but when the cuticle is compromised, moisture can escape through the gaps. This leaves hair feeling dry, straw-like, and far from soft and silky. When hair is dry, there also tends to be more friction between strands, leading to rough-textured breakage and split ends.

Product Build-Up

If they're not washed out effectively, styling products and dry shampoos can leave behind a residue that makes your hair feel heavy or coated. It's not the same straw-like stiffness you get from damage; it tends to be a stickier feel. Build-up can also block out shine, leaving hair looking dull and, sometimes, brassy.

Understanding Hair Porosity and Texture

Rough, coarse hair isn't always the result of an external factor, like heat styling or friction. Two people with seemingly similar hair types can follow the same regimen, yet one might have soft, silky hair while the other deals with dry, coarse strands.

The reason? Not all hair absorbs, holds or loses moisture in the same way; your hair porosity and natural texture play a key role in hydration and softness.

Hair Texture: What Does Your Hair Need?

Hair texture refers to both the thickness and pattern of your strands. Different textures often hold moisture in different ways – which affects the products you choose to improve softness.

• Fine hair can is small in diameter, and can therefore become weighed down easily. It may be more prone to dullness from product build-up, and its fragility can make it more vulnerable to damage, too. This texture benefits from lightweight conditioning products that soften without adding weight.
• Coarse hair often benefits from richer conditioning products, like creamy masks and protective oils. Your aim is to improve smoothness and flexibility, so strands have enough slip to reduce friction.
• Curly and coily hair can be more prone to dryness because the bends and coils in the hair fiber make it harder for natural oils to travel from the scalp to the ends. Applying conditioning products evenly through sections of hair can help improve moisture distribution, reduce friction and enhance softness.

Hair Porosity: How Well Does Your Hair Hold Moisture?

Hair porosity relates to how well each strand absorbs and holds onto moisture. In short:

• Low porosity hair has fewer gaps along the hair cuticle. It's less absorbent, but it holds onto moisture well.

• High porosity hair is highly absorbent, due to gaps and tears in the cuticle. This means it drinks up moisture fast, but it's less able to hold onto it than low porosity hair.

If your hair feels coarse, dry or stiff, it's more likely to be highly porous, which means you need a routine that improves moisture retention.

So, let's get into the steps...

How to Build a Hair-Softening Routine: 12 Stylist-Approved Tips

1. Use a Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner

Look for hair care products that promise smoother, silkier hair, including a non-stripping shampoo and rich, creamy conditioner. ULTIMATE SMOOTH Shampoo and ULTIMATE SMOOTH Conditioner are our stylist-approved picks, with a blend of Squalane to nourish each strand from within, and Omega-9, a bio-identical lipid that smooths hair cuticles.

The shampoo gently cleanses, removing dulling impurities. It's your step one staple for clean, glossy hair that feels fresh and smooth. Meanwhile, the conditioner's luxurious formula envelops strands in nourishment, leaving you with up to 85% smoother hair¹ and 96 hours of frizz control².

2. Apply a Hair Mask at Least Once Per Week

A hair mask is crucial for softness – especially if you have high porosity hair. These intensive treatments lock nourishment in, driving it deeper for silky, commercial-worthy strands. ULTIMATE SMOOTH Intense Mask is a great choice, as it's packed with smoothing, shine-boosting ingredients, so you're left with silky hair that resists humidity.

To help the mask absorb, squeeze out excess water first, then smooth the treatment through damp mid-lengths and ends. Work in small sections, twisting hair lightly to make sure every strand is covered. Then, wrap hair up in a warm towel and let it sit for five minutes. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.

3. Give Hair a Cool Water Rinse

Water needs to be warm to effectively rinse out shampoos, conditioners and masks, but once the residue is gone, brace yourself and turn the temperature. A cold water rinse can encourage the hair cuticle to lie flatter, so the hair is smoother and feels softer. Bonus: this step can also boost shine, as smooth hair reflects the light more easily.

4. Avoid Over-Washing Your Hair

Washing your hair too frequently can strip away some of the natural oils that keep your hair soft and flexible, so find a routine that balances the needs of your scalp with the health of your lengths. For many, washing hair every other day is just right, while others can extend the gap further. Your aim is to avoid drying out your hair with excess washing, while also maintaining a clean, fresh scalp.

5. Add a Reparative Leave-In to Your Regimen

If hair feels rough and coarse, it may be due to damage causing the cuticle to lift. Use a salon-grade repair treatment to help improve hair health and, in turn, restore softness. ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue is a supercharged spray, powered by AHA and Omega-9. Mist it through clean, damp lengths and ends to repair hair damage in 90 seconds³. It's really that quick.

6. Seal Ends with a Hair Oil

After applying a leave-in treatment, add hair oil to your regimen. This will help to seal nourishment into strands, so when it dries, it has that touchably soft silkiness. ULTIMATE SMOOTH Miracle Oil Serum is designed to smooth and care for all hair types. Focus it through the mid-lengths and ends, then blow-dry or let hair dry naturally for smoothness that lasts up to 3 days⁴.

7. Reduce Friction at Every Stage

Friction roughs up the hair cuticle, causing breakage and split ends. So, think of your hair like a fine sheet of silk, and show it the gentlest, most delicate care. That means:

• Avoid brushing hair without any ‘slip’ when it's wet. Instead, detangle with a wide-tooth comb or fingertips while your hair conditioner or mask is absorbing.
• Only use a microfiber towel, and blot – don't rub! – it dry after washing. A soft cotton t-shirt also works, especially if you're plopping curls.
• Swap cotton pillowcases for satin or silk pillowcases. A silk/satin bonnet will also work. Adding a protective serum, like ULTIMATE REPAIR Night Serum, will also help shield against friction while you sleep.
• 'Clean girl' slick-backs look good, but they're not great news for hair follicles or fragile mid-lengths. Embrace loose, low-slung hairstyles instead, and secure with a silk scrunchie – no elastics.
• When brushing hair in between washes, always work through knots in small sections, starting at the ends and gradually moving up the hair shaft. This is less damaging than dragging a brush from root to tip.

8. Protect Your Hair From Heat Styling

Heat damage can leave hair crispy and dry – but that doesn't mean you have to ditch your flat iron yet. Instead, use a heat protectant that's suited to your hair type.

• If you have fine hair that's easily weighed down: use a lightweight, shine-boosting mist, like EIMI Thermal Image. Shake to mix up the formula, then spray through lengths before using hot tools.

• If you have coarse or damaged hair: apply ULTIMATE REPAIR 5-in-1 Protective Leave-In. The delicate cream shields hair during heat styling, while also helping strands resist frizz, breakage, friction and sun damage.

9. Shield Against UV Exposure

Have you ever noticed that your skin sometimes feels drier (yet oiler) when you've been out in the sun? The same thing happens with your hair; UV exposure can break down the cuticle, depleting moisture and lipids. To prevent this, using a 'sunscreen for hair' is crucial before you step out.

• If you prefer a serum: use ULTIMATE REPAIR 5-in-1 Protective Leave-In, which is a delicate cream that absorbs fast to provide protection.
• If you prefer a hair oil: apply ULTIMATE SMOOTH Miracle Oil Serum for gloss and protection in one.

10. Top Up Softness Between Washes

Wash day isn't your only chance to soften and smooth hair. In between washes, keep nourishment topped up with a lightweight lotion, like ULTIMATE SMOOTH 24/7 Silky Milk. It sinks in fast to smooth fluffy lengths and instant silkiness, whether you're using it to refresh day-two curls or give straight lengths a dose of nourishment.

Start small with just a pump, and add more if and when needed. Remember: it's easier to add more product than it is to take it away.

"ULTIMATE SMOOTH SILKY MILK IS BRILLIANT FOR CREATING SOFTNESS AND SHINE THAT REFLECTS WHILE GIVING GENTLE STYLING BENEFITS. I LOVE USING IT THE DAY AFTER TO BRING LIFE AND ELASTICITY BACK TO THE HAIR TO CREATE NATURAL MOVEMENT AND A HEALTHY LOOK."

Briana Cisneros (@brianacisneros), Wella Professionals Global Ambassador

11. Clarify to Remove Product Build-Up

Product build-up can leave hair feeling coated and heavy, so hit the 'reset' button at least once per month with a clarifying shampoo. To ensure a gentler cleanse, focus this hard-working cleanser into the roots only, then let the lather run through the lengths as you rinse. This ensures more porous and fragile ends aren't left feeling stripped or dry.

12. Book Regular Trims at the Salon

Nothing puts a stop to silky, soft hair like untidy, split ends. That's why it's important to get hair trimmed every 6-8 weeks at your nearest Wella salon. If you're on a hair growth journey, ask your stylist for a Cut & Seal Service. It teams an 'invisible' cut that targets the very tips only with a misting of ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue. This way, you'll have smoother, softer, tidier ends, but you won't have to lose the length you've been striving for.

At-Home Remedies for Softer Hair

The best smoothing routine is salon-approved, so if you want to make hair softer, using specialized, professional products will help you achieve the most transformative results. But there's one at-home remedy that can support your routine by helping to removing build-up: an apple cider vinegar rinse to cleanse and clarify.

How to do it:

1. Mix the rinse. Combine one part apple cider vinegar with three to four parts water in a clean bottle or jug. Always dilute the vinegar to help minimize the risk of scalp irritation.

2. Apply after shampooing. Slowly pour the mixture over your hair. Leave it on for one to three minutes before rinsing thoroughly with lukewarm water.

3. Follow with a hair mask. Finish with a smoothing hair mask, like ULTIMATE SMOOTH Intense Mask, to restore nourishment.

Tip: Use an apple cider vinegar rinse around once per month, or whenever your hair feels weighed down by build-up.

The Best Products for Softer, Smoother Hair

When soft, smooth and silky is on the agenda, use products that nourish hair from the inside out. This ULTIMATE SMOOTH range targets dry, frizzy hair at every step, for up to 3 days of smoothness⁴.

Get Salon-Soft Hair with Wella Professionals

Healthy hair is soft hair, and achieving it isn't a solo goal; your Wella stylist can work with you to reach the silky lengths you've always wanted. From selecting color products to suit your needs to advising on cut and care tricks that make your hair feel its very best, they'll help you find a routine that works uniquely for you. Ready to get started? Use the Salon Finder to discover your nearest Wella salon.

¹ When using ULTIMATE SMOOTH Miracle Oil Serum vs. non-conditioning shampoo.

² When using ULTIMATE SMOOTH Miracle Oil Serum.

³ When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue.

⁴ If unwashed for 3 days vs. untreated.