Deep Conditioning

[Luvkitties]

A lot of my clients are asking what can be done for their itchy dogs with flakey skin? Does anyone have any remedies that I can use on my my clients dogs to help with this? Products???

[keyray]

My first question is about the food they are feeding. My experience is that if they feed a better food it will fix the problem. Topical treatments help symptoms but don't cure the problem.

[KarenM]

I use OxyMed Medicated Treatment (by Tropiclean) seems to work good for me.
Apply let set 10 minutes rinse off thoughly.

[PuppyFluffer]

We offer an aloe remoisturizing skin and coat treatment as an add-on, using Nature's Specialites Hypo-ALOE-vera shampoo and Aloe conditioner. Bathe, rinse, work conditioner in, wrap in a towel fresh from the towel-warmer & let it sit for 10 minutes or so, then rinse, rinse, rinse until the coat squeaks.

It makes the coat super soft and luxurious. The only downside is it takes for-EVAH to dry!

[Luvkitties]

Keyray---The clients that are asking for the most part do use good quality food. We are having an abnormally cold winter here in the south. I think with the extra heat being used may be adding to the dry skin problem. I know that my own skin is very dry.

[Particentral]

The NS aloe remo is terriffic for this, as are sugar scrubs. I am using Show Sesasons Revitalize a lot as well. It is moisture infused...with natural oils. We are also using fans a bit more, to dry them a bit before we HV them, to reduce the amount of heated air (even if its just warm from the HV motor) we are using on the coats and skin. THAT is helping tremendously. It also reduces static. LOL We either force dry and brush then cage dry under room temp air or cage under room temp air then fluff....depends on the coats and the dog.

The dry air from the extra heat we are using is drying out EVERYTHING.

[puppy love]

We offer an aloe remoisturizing skin and coat treatment as an add-on, using Nature's Specialites Hypo-ALOE-vera shampoo and Aloe conditioner. Bathe, rinse, work conditioner in, wrap in a towel fresh from the towel-warmer & let it sit for 10 minutes or so, then rinse, rinse, rinse until the coat squeaks.

It makes the coat super soft and luxurious. The only downside is it takes for-EVAH to dry!

Ditto! I use the Natures Specialties Hypo AloeGenic Remoisturizer. I dont have a towel warmer, so I put the bottle of conditioner in a bucket of hot water to get it warm and apply. Yeah, it does really add to the drying time, dont use it on a rainy day....you will kill yourself trying to get them dry...

[pooh13]

IMHO using a good conditioning shampoo should do the job without all the added re-moisturizing treatments. I use natures specialty shampoos, my everyday shampoo is plum silky .I do also use b2b products such as the oatmeal shampoo and I follow all of my baths with quicker slicker skin and coat leave in coat conditioner( I like the smell).if you find the products you are using on the dogs leaves your hands needing hand lotions, chances are those products are drying the dogs skin as well.I rarely ever use a conditioner during the bathing process in my salon and when I do it is mixed with the shampoo on the dog as to not weigh the coat down.

[Particentral]

IMHO using a good conditioning shampoo should do the job without all the added ...is mixed with the shampoo on the dog as to not weigh the coat down.

I agree to a point. There are some cases where the flakes or itchies are really bad and I use the remo for that. Otherwise I don't at all. I also charge more for the remo treatements as they take longer to apply and to dry the dog afterwards. They DO make a difference on the skin and coats of some dogs, but are not needed for everyone.

[neanea]

I use brown sugar scrub (with essential oils) and then wrap with a warm towel, let stand for 5 minutes. Shampoo with a gentle (no stripping shampoo) twice, then a leave in spray conditioner. It's working great so far

[D'tails]

I offer 10 minute warm soaks in Kalaya Kenic Emu oil shampoo. RInse well and add nothing else to the coat. Owners always comment on how silky soft the dog feels. Read up on emu oil and it's penetrative and anti inflammatory properties - good stuff.

[Helly]

IMHO using a good conditioning shampoo should do the job without all the added re-moisturizing treatments. I rarely ever use a conditioner during the bathing process in my salon and when I do it is mixed with the shampoo on the dog as to not weigh the coat down.

I see two problems. When we understand how shampoos work, we know that some type of conditioner is desirable. A conditioner isn't just about moisturizing. It attaches itself to the hair almost instantaneously and smooths and hardens the cuticle (scales) of the hair shaft, leaving it smooth and glossy. And smooth hair is less likely to mat up quickly.

The second problem? Adding conditioner to your shampoo. There are special conditioners that are made to work with shampoo. They are the conditioners added to shampoos that are advertised as shampoo and conditioner in one. Shampoo softens and opens the cuticle, so it can penetrate and clean out all of the oils and dirt that collects there. Conditioner lays those scales down and hardens them. If you do that, the rinse water cannot flush out the trapped oils and dirt. You get a film on the skin, and eventually the coat becomes dull and weighted down.

[Particentral]

I see two problems. When we understand how shampoos work, we know that some type of conditioner is desirable. ... You get a film on the skin, and eventually the coat becomes dull and weighted down.

Helly, I agree 100% with what you are saying, but BBird, in her book and on lists that she has written on, says its OK to do this.....she said it doesn't interfere with the shampoo and will not lock in residue.....I don't see HOW it can't......makes no sense to me. I tend to think the way you do on this subject.

[pooh13]

Well for one I only use natural products, not a ton of chemicals mixed together on the dogs coat and skin. mixing them gives a lighter treatment than after the shampoo and rinses very clean and not weighted down.There are times I use a conditioning treatment after shampoo this all depends on the dog and his coats needs, I do not charge extra for this as my clients pay a reasonable rate already. if you feel your conditioners can lock in harmful residue to the cuticle I suggest a different brand of products being used that does not contain harmful ingredients.

[Particentral]

Its not that they are HARMFUL chemicals persay, but using it this way can trap in soap and shampoo residue which is NOT good for the skin or coat. You are putting a sealant on the cuticle while it has shampoo still on it.....