How do I get smooth and silky hair?

[Shanti]

i use a leave-in conditioner for my hair that i comb through when its wet or dry. it keeps it smelling nice all day and feels so smooth....
Pantene coats your hair with a substance called "salysilic acid" (sp?) that is also found in some other shampoos. but what it does is strip your hair of its natural oils and minerals that keep your hair shiny and silky naturally, and so its sort of artificially making your hair smooth does that make sense?!? but theres been many reports on Pantene... its up to you, some ppl love it, others dont touch it. i dont touch it... i believe it can permanently damage your hair over time and dry it out (but that is only my opinion and from what i've read and experienced with my hair)...but if you arent worried about that and want your hair to appear smooth and silky, then go for it cos it does seem to work cos of the chemicals they put in them.
but leave in conditoiners are good...i use Schwarzkopf professional Bonacure Hairtherapy Moisture Kick conditioner... its really good!!! !(from hairdressers)
why dont you use the pantene and then the leave in conditioner afterwards??

[Lisa]

Pantene coats your hair with a substance called "salysilic acid" (sp?) that is also found in some other shampoos. but what it does is strip your hair of its natural oils and minerals that keep your hair shiny and silky naturally, and so its sort of artificially making your hair smooth does that make sense?!? but theres been many reports on Pantene... its up to you, some ppl love it, others dont touch it. i dont touch it... i believe it can permanently damage your hair over time and dry it out (but that is only my opinion and from what i've read and experienced with my hair)

So so so so TRUE!!!
EVERY hairdresser I have been to says that Pantene is the worst thing you can use in your hair... mostly because of stuff that it coats your hair in.

IMO, the only way to get beautiful, shiny hair is to use good products, and to have regular trims... and use a good, natural fibre brush.

[CatherineL]

Pantene coats your hair with a substance called "salysilic acid" (sp?) that is also found in some other shampoos.

Salicylic Acid is used on the skin... and as the name 'acid' it breaks down the glue that holds the dead skin cells together - it is a form of exfoliation and is also known to be used to treat warts and fungal infections. It is not used in Pantene; it is however used in anti dandruff products and is not a 'bad' compound.

What Renee is meaning is that Pantene, among other products on the market (even some from hairdressers) leave a coating of silicone and also cause a protein build up. This build up is not removable other than growing the hair out and having it cut out. It causes problems with chemical treatments like perms and chemical straightening and hair colour isn't as effective as it should be. After a few weeks the silicone coating breaks down, leaving the hair unmanageable and damaged. You might see some women with beautiful roots and terrible lengths... above is the cause of this.

Not all products that leave a coating of silicone are bad, in many cases people with very damaged hair from excessive bleach etc. can actually leave a better result.
Products that give you that instant smooth and wow feeling, usually have left some form of silicone coating on the hair. Great hair isn't something that happens over night... it takes allot of maintenance. Using cold water when washing hair, towel drying hair before applying conditioner so it can be absorbed - otherwise the hair is full of water and can't absorb the product and so you’re basically just pouring your products down the drain. If you've got the coin, replace your conditioner with a treatment every wash - which should be every 3-4 days, not everyday and ensure it's not a protein treatment. Too much protein is norty. O o o... and the reason why the really cheap shampoo and conditioner is frowned upon is because it's basically detergent... you might as well grab your dish washing liquid and foam up the hair with that. That's why some people feel as though their hair isn't as 'clean' when they use a quality wash because it doesn't leave that squeaky feeling the cheaper ones do. It strips the hair of everything including all the good natural oils your hair should contain which is part of having healthy and beaut looking hair.

But in saying all that - I am just trying to be informative, each to their own and everyone should use what works for them... just because a gf recommends shampoo that works wonders for her doesn't mean it will for you - everyone's hair is different and needs different things.

Gidget - have you got some breakage?