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Archived Message

ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
by Phylis

My maltese is 18 months old and I brush and comb it every day. I never had a problem with tangles or mats until just recently. I spare no expense with the care of my baby so when I asked what to use on his hair, my friends said to use Silk products, eventhough they are costly. My problem is this. His coat was very white when I took him home from the breeder and now it has a yellow cast to it, plus it is beginning to mat and clump up. I talked to the breeder and she said this happened to her also. The Silk products build up and are difficult to get out. She told me to get a clairfying shampoo and start over again, but didn't recommend anything. My breeder said her other breeder friends quit using that and have had problems after using it for a long time. My question is, how do I remove the build up of the Silk that yellowed his hair and how do I get it back to normal?

DISCUSSION:

I have been using the silk products now for about 8 months and have not experienced any problems such as yellowing, or matting. I did experience it when I switched shampoos. I used Nova Pearls shampoo and conditioner and got some matting and yellowing. Might check to see what type of shampoos the groomer is using. I went back to my Johnson's baby shampoo and have not had the problem again. I am still using the silk.
-Marsha A.

I have used the Silk products and yes, it makes the coat have a nice slick look about it, but it also attracts dirt and causes buildup. Crystal's coat began feeling oily and was not my little ball of fluff after using it for awhile. She also started to look dingy. I didn't know what to do, so I called a person who shows and grooms in her house. She believes it goes directly into the hair shaft and when you stop using it, the mats start. She used some magic product to get all of the build up out, but it took three times and I had a grooming bill I wouldn't normally have since I take care of Crystal myself. She is starting to have the beautiful fur she was born with now. I liked the way she looked at first with the silk, but believe me, I almost shaved her down and started over because of it. Ask a professional groomer what to use Phylis. That is what I had to do, and stop using that stuff. Crystal's fur is getting back to normal now and much easier to take care of.
-Pauline

I mix warm water with TRESemme Deep Cleansing Shampoo. I use this on my Maltese about every 4th bath or after every time I use oil. It cleans off all the buildup. Hope this helps.
-Doe

We use Pet Silk products on our show coats, along with a variety of other "brand" products. I've never noticed excessive build-up in the coats - but, we do use a deep-cleansing or clarifying shampoo about every third or fourth bath to ensure that no products do build-up in the coats.
-Larry Stanberry Divine Maltese

I had a client bring a puppy to my house who had been put in oil, and the coat was very yellowed. I used the Vellus products, and took their clarifying shampoo and shampooed the puppy. The Vellus Clarifying shampoo takes out yellow as well as shampoo and conditioner buildup. I then took the Vellus Conditioner and put it in the hair straight from the bottle, without diluting it. I have loved the Vellus products, and use them on my long haired dogs I am showing. I live in a very dry climate, and use their conditioner and satin creme, which prevents the coat from becoming dry. If you live in a more humid climate, you may want to dilute the conditioner. Their are four Vellus products that I use, the clarfying shampoo about once a month, the regular shampoo concentrate that I use for most of the shampooing, the conditioner and the satin creme. The phone number to order the Vellus products is 614-889-2391. These are the best shampoo products I have found. Make sure you condition the hair well after using the clarifying shampoo, because it takes out not only buildup, but natural oils from the coat.
-Carolyn Dahl