Is It Good To Wash Children’s Hair Every Day? – Being Parents

There are many myths about  the pros or cons of washing children’s hair every day. An endless number of doubts revolve around whether this influences their growth or their downfall. We dig deeper into this topic to see how true these assumptions are.

Hair washing will depend on how active your child is, what they do  at leisure and what type of skin they have. For example: an athlete, a painter or clay sculptor ,  may need a daily head wash.

Some children also sweat more. This can itch their scalp or make them think they have  lice or nits, making them very uncomfortable.

On the other hand, a factor that influences hair washing is the age of the child. Babies don’t need such a full bath. Their skin is very delicate and we can cause  dermatitis  or dryness.

However, at school age, showers that include hair washing will depend on how dirty the child is.

Is it advisable to wash children’s hair every day?

If you go to see a dermatologist, he will certainly tell you that it is not necessary to wash children’s hair every day. It is always recommended to wash them three times a week, for 3 minutes, with light massages on the scalp and with lukewarm water.

To do this,  a neutral pH shampoo is the most indicated. This type of product prevents irritation of the skin and eyes, which reduces discomfort.

Occasionally, the use of a conditioner is optional. It is designed to hydrate dry or damaged hair; it also helps to disentangle them easily.

After the age of 12, children should wash their hair more often  as they enter the teenage stage. This is when hormones appear. They start to secrete more fat than usual and therefore bad odors and dirt arise.

Bath time, a joyful moment

Many children don’t like bath time. This can be due to several reasons:

• Parents leave them alone  in the shower since they are very young.
• They don’t like the temperature of the water.
• The shampoo or shower gel causes itching  or another allergic sensation.

To prevent the child from having a phobia of bathing,  it is necessary to create a fun environment for this moment of hygiene. They can bathe with a few toys, preferably waterproof.

It is also possible to read or invent stories. Everything is valid for creating a fun shower  and setting up hygiene habits that will accompany it throughout its life.

How to maintain long hair?

From the age of 6,  boys and girls begin to worry and want to decide about their body, clothing and other aspects of their appearance. One of the most remarkable is the hair; they probably want the trendy cut or  hairstyle  and want to keep it for a long time.

If you have decided to grow your child’s hair out, care is much more important  than usual. Here are some practical recommendations:

• They should be washed every other day.
• Use a good shampoo and conditioner for children.
• Use  lukewarm water  to keep the roots in good condition.
• Comb frequently,  in the wash and when they are dry.
• Trim the tips quite often.

“After the age of 12, children should wash their hair more often as they enter the stage of adolescence”

Some precautions for dream hair

If you have decided to pay more attention to the care of your little one’s hair,  take a look at our suggestions for ideal hair:

Do not sleep with damp hair

This is essential. If the child washed his hair in the evening, it is advisable to dry it before going to bed.

Wet hair contains bacteria from the towel; the pillow absorbs them and can cause infections. In addition, itching, dryness and dandruff may appear.

Quilts or braids

When the hair is damp, we should avoid tying it up with quilts or making braids. This way the hair is scarred, it can decompose and then break.

Have a good diet

For the youngest in the household,  getting the right nutrition is vital to stimulate proper hair growth. To do this, the following foods are needed: eggs, cheese and yogurt, wholemeal bread, sardines,  avocado,  bananas, tomatoes and nuts.

All of these recommendations  will help your child to have a healthy, clean and strong scalp for optimal hair growth. 

In addition,  don’t forget to use quality products, with good hydration levels and designed especially for delicate children’s hair. Ultimately, it’s up to you to assess the need to wash your children’s hair every day; do so if it is essential.