Let’s face it — kids get messy. As a parent, it can be impossible to even imagine your little one being too clean. When it comes to hair care, however, it is possible your child’s regular hair washing could be stripping away natural oils that ensure a healthy scalp. 

So, how often do kids need to shampoo? Every kid’s hair is different, and different types of hair require different washing schedules. Understanding your kid’s hair type and using natural and hydrating products are the best way to give your little one a healthy hair care routine.

What’s The Best Shampoo for Kids? 

It goes without saying that shampoo should be cleansing, but the cleaning agents in many kid’s shampoos and conditioners are too harsh for tender locks. Chemicals strip away the hair’s natural oils, and can lead to a dry scalp, dull hair, and loose strands.

It’s important to make sure that your shampoo is also hydrating, so look for shampoos that feature a high-moisture formula. Similarly, you should look for a clean and natural conditioner that will moisturize without adding grease or build-up.

Many kid’s shampoos and conditioners feature the same harmful chemicals as adult hair products, like parabens, sulfates, and even formaldehyde. These products may also feature harmful dyes and synthetic colors. Be sure to take a close look at the ingredients, and try to buy paraben-free, natural products whenever possible.

Washing Straight Hair

If you little one has straight hair, you’ll want to aim to put two to three days between washes. Washing hair too frequently can weaken strands, and intermittent washing will allow for a healthy distribution of natural oils. Washing with safe and natural products assures that hair strands stay healthy and strong, and minimizes the hair loss that can result from damage.

Step 1: Shampoo/Condition

Begin your hair care with a safe and natural shampoo. SoCozy’s Wash and Shampoo is a great, gentle option that scrubs away grime and dirt while giving hair a silky shine and volume. The salon formula features vitamin B5 and kiwi extract for softness and hydration. The two-in-one formula helps to quickly wash all over with less steps. Gently massage into hair and create a lather, then rinse. 

Step 2: Comb

To de-tangle, use a wide-toothed comb or brush and gently comb through damp or wet hair, starting at the bottom and working your way up to the top of the head. For tricky tangles, use a vitamin-rich detangler and leave-in conditioner to avoid knots and tangles.

Washing Curly Hair

To keep your curly-haired kiddo’s head healthy, it’s extra important to maintain a balance between washing and waiting. Curly hair is often drier than straight hair, partly because natural oils that build up between washes have a hard time traveling down the root to the shaft of the hair. Luckily, an oil scalp is better disguised by curly hair, too! Washing less frequently, and with the right moisturizing products, could keep both the hair and scalp conditioned naturally for longer. For curly hair, allow three to four days in between washes. A good leave-in conditioner, such as SoCozy's Detangler & Leave In Conditioner, can help to maintain moisture in between washes. Mist over dry hair to calm frizz and boost shine.

Step 1: Shampoo

Begin your hair care with a hydrating curly hair shampoo. SoCozy Curl Shampoo Ultra Hydrating Cleanser is a great, gentle option that cleans while maintaining moisture. Gently massage into hair and create a lather, then rinse. 

Step 2: Condition

Apply conditioner to freshly shampooed hair. Distribute evenly and gently finger-comb the conditioner into hair. Use a hydrating product made with natural ingredients that is specifically designed for curly hair. 

Step 3: Comb

To de-tangle, use a wide-toothed comb and gently comb through the conditioned hair, starting at the bottom and working your way up to the top of the head. Remember to never brush your curly kid’s hair — a wide-toothed comb is the way to go!

Step 4: Rinse 

Gently rinse out the conditioner. For extra hydration, do a quick rinse and leave in a small amount of the conditioner to lock in lasting moisture. 

Specialty Shampoos

No two heads of hair are the same, and no two kids are the same! Some children may require specialty shampoos to meet very specific needs. For example, lice prevention can become a regular part of your kid’s hygiene routine! If your kiddo is especially prone to lice, a lice-repellent shampoo can help to scare the pesky critters away!

Be sure to pick up a product that uses natural ingredients to deter lice, especially if you’re using the product regularly. Tea tree and peppermint essential oils repel lice, and make for a great-smelling shampoo. 

If you have a little swimmer, they’ll need to shampoo more frequently to wash their hair clean of chlorine and other harmful pool chemicals that take a toll on the hair, leaving it extra dry.

Those chemicals, combined with excessive post-pool washing, strip away hair’s natural oils, making it even more brittle and prone to breakage. Consider using a shampoo designed to combat the effects of chlorine that also hydrates hair follicles, especially one with ingredients like activated charcoal.

This compound naturally removes chlorine and green tones from the hair. Other ingredients to look for include jojoba oil for added strength and protection, and coffee seed extract for softness.

Help your kid get the hair of their dreams with a consistent hair-care routine! Whether your kid washes their hair every other day or a few times a week, using safe and natural hair products will only strengthen their hair.