How to Make Thick Hair Smooth and Silky

Is thick, coarse hair getting you down? Trying desperately to keep your thick hair straight, silky, smooth and free-flowing? Well, you are in the right place! Researchers at Pantene found that thick hair can contain as much as twice the natural protein stores as normal or fine hair. This protein richness helps support and reinforce coarse hair cuticles against damage and makes thick hair able to withstand some pretty heavy abuse. However, this natural protein richness can also make the hair rigid and stiff. Try these tips to keep your thick hair smooth, silky and moving nicely all day long!

Step 1: Shampoo and Condition Thick Hair to Make It Smooth and Silky
Keeping thick hair smooth and silky can be difficult, since this hair type tends to be naturally coarse and dry. To relieve the dryness and soften the hair, shampoo and condition your hair with Pantene Pro-V Medium-Thick Shampoo and Conditioner. Rinse the hair thoroughly.

Step 2: Treat Thick Hair to Make It Smooth and Silky
If your thick hair is stressed or damaged, you may choose this optional step. (This step actually goes after the shampoo and right before the conditioner.) Apply a single Pantene Medium-Thick Hair Solutions Professional Level Damage Repair Ampoule to your thick hair to regain smoothness and shine. These little ampoules go deep down into the cuticle to fortify the hair against breakage. The treatment takes just five minutes, and no heat is required. Now personally, I am a big fan of using heat with any intensive treatment for an extra conditioning boost. But damaged, porous hair will always easily absorb product regardless of temperature.

According to Pantene's experts, the ampoule contains amino-polymers that will enhance the structure of hair shafts and reconstruct hair where strands are weakened. The ampoules work by smoothing the cuticle, and they protect it from fractures. This treatment typically follows the Breakage to Strength Shampoo in the Pro-V Medium-Thick Hair Solutions collection, but you can use it with any shampoo you desire. Rinse and condition the hair thoroughly.

Step 3: Work with Quality Styling Products to Make Hair Smooth and Silky
Apply a smoothing crème like Pantene's Medium-Thick Hair Solutions Straighten and Smooth Crème to the hair. This thick, creamy formula is great for taming thick hair and can be used on wet or dry hair just the same. Pantene's experts say that the Straighten and Smooth Crème is a superior, anti-frizz formula that helps beat frizz and humidity all day by sealing rough cuticles and aligning wayward strands.

Step 4: Try Roller Sets to Make Hair Smooth and Silky
You can, of course, style your hair as desired, but if you're looking to really smooth out your coarse hair and make it super silky, try a roller set using large, magnetic rollers. The rollers will smooth your hair and silken it under the gentle, hooded heat. This is by far the safest heat for smoothing and silkening thick, coarse hair. When rollers are carefully removed, the hair will be silky and will swing and bounce with the slightest turn of your head! You may use a blow dryer on low heat to release some of the remaining curl to silken and smooth the hair out further. This is especially desirable if your hair is kinky, and you've got quite a bit of new growth.

Step 5: Try Saran Wrap to Make Hair Smooth and Silky
No one knows for sure how this works, but it does. If enhanced shine and smoothness are your goal, try a saran wrap treatment. Yes, grocery store saran wrap! Carefully smooth your hair around your head in a circular motion until you've gotten it into a standard wrap style. Once your entire head of hair has been wrapped, carefully take the saran wrap and cover the wrapped hair in the same fashion. Sit under a warm dryer for five to ten minutes with your hair covered in saran. Allow the hair to cool for three to five minutes, then carefully remove the saran wrap. Comb the hair down, and enjoy! Your thick hair will be silky, smooth and extra straight!

Need to know more about other Pantene products and tips for smoothing, silkening and taming your thick hair all day? Visit pantene.com and find your customized hair solutions today!