Let’s clear this up straight away:
Your kid’s hair is not dirty.
It’s just curly.
And curls don’t want to be squeaky clean. They want to be moisturised, respected, and left the heck alone most days.
🧼 “Squeaky Clean” is a Lie
That squeaky feeling after a shampoo? Yeah, that’s the sound of all the moisture being snatched out of the strands like joy from a Monday morning. Curly hair thrives with natural oils—strip them, and you get frizz, breakage, and drama.
👶 Baby shampoo ≠ Curly-kid friendly
That pastel-coloured, cartoon-covered bottle may say tear-free, but check the label. If it’s got:
- Sulfates (like sodium lauryl sulfate) — strip moisture
- Parabens — questionable stuff, often unnecessary
- Drying alcohols (think alcohol denat, ethanol) — brittle-city
Then it’s a no from us.
🛁 Washing Routines: One Size Does Not Fit All
Curly routines depend on:
- Age
- Curl type
- Lifestyle (Are they rolling in mud or just drawing on the walls?)
🌀 For Littles (under 3):
Once a week is enough. Seriously. They’re not working in a coal mine.
- Co-wash (conditioner-only wash) or a gentle cleanser with no sulfates.
- Keep it fun: sing, splash, let them “help.”
👧🏽 For Big Kids (4–8):
1–2 washes per week. Add more if swimming or sweating lots.
- Use a sulfate-free shampoo every other wash.
- Alternate with co-washing if the scalp isn’t grimy.
😎 Preteens & Tweens (9–12+):
They’re experimenting, hormonal, maybe even self-conscious. That’s normal.
- Let them learn what feels good for their scalp.
- Introduce clarifying shampoo only once a month if product buildup is real.
- Teach about moisture balance—too much washing = thirsty hair.
💡 Co-Washing vs. Shampoo: What’s the Deal?
Co-washing = using a conditioner to cleanse the scalp. Sounds wild, but it works wonders on curls that hate being stripped.
- Great for dry, coarse, or tightly curled hair.
- Use a lightweight conditioner with slip (aka, it makes detangling easier).
- Still scrub the scalp gently—co-wash doesn’t mean don’t clean.
Shampooing has its place:
- After swimming in chlorine
- When there’s product buildup
- When the scalp is itchy or flaky
🧴Pro tip: Always follow shampoo with a deep, hydrating conditioner. Shampoo opens the door. Conditioner brings the good stuff in.
🚨 PSA: Tear-Free Doesn’t Always Mean Curl-Friendly
Those baby formulas might be “gentle on eyes,” but they’re often harsh on hair. They’re not built for texture, kinks, coils, or anything with volume.
Don’t feel guilty if you’ve been using them—we all started somewhere. Just swap when you can. Your kid’s curls will thank you. Eventually. Probably with less crying at bathtime.
