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Original poster

Advice about what DS can use for his smelly hair

52 replies

BuckarooWithBruceGrobelaar · 18/09/2021 18:49

I wasn't sure where to ask this, but I'm looking for recommendations for shampoos or other products that will stop my DS's hair smelling. He's 13 and showers every day, but his hair constantly smells. It's a bit like wet dog, mixed with the scent of not washing it for several days. It must be hormonal because it's only been happening since he started puberty a few moths ago. Any advice?

OP posts:
sofakingcool · 18/09/2021 20:28

Is it his scalp maybe? I bought DS(12) a hair scrubber from Amazon a while ago as he struggles to wash his hair properly (suspected dyspraxia). Cost just a few pounds and has been a game changer. It's black with a handle on the back with a blue silicone spiky side which he uses to give his hair/scalp a good scrub

sofakingcool · 18/09/2021 20:31

This is it

Advice about what DS can use for his smelly hair
BertieBotts · 18/09/2021 20:33

That might be a good stocking filler

SaintDrogo · 18/09/2021 20:35

Another one suggesting he’s not actually washing his hair!! DS smells exactly like a wet dog when he doesn’t use shampoo, though his hair still looks clean! I can always tell if he’s just stood under the water rather than properly washed himself because of that smell.

SweetBabyCheeses99 · 18/09/2021 21:17

Teen boys are rubbish at actually washing. Tbf a lot of grown men are!
I would take him to have his hair cut so the hairdresser will actually wash it properly. No massive restyle/blowdry/products - just see if it still smells.

Original poster
BuckarooWithBruceGrobelaar · 18/09/2021 21:38

[quote Cloudbaser]I avoid tea tree for boys
www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/2018/chemicals-in-lavender-and-tea-tree-oil-appear-to-be-hormone-disruptors[/quote]
Interesting to know. Think I will avoid that. He's vegetarian and eats soy so I'd be concerned about adding anything to that.

I think I will be going for one of the mentioned scrubs and @sofakingcool's gadget Smile

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 18/09/2021 21:54

Has he got long hair, and could he possibly have head lice that haven’t been spotted?

FindingMeno · 18/09/2021 22:10

Some people seem to sweat a lot from their head particularly at night it seems.
Morning showers and materials for pillows and pillowcases that don't make him sweaty.
Also does he wear caps a lot?
I'd check the smell of anything that spends time near his head, and if it smells whiffy, add Napisan to the wash.

Hawkmoth · 18/09/2021 22:20

I use Alphosyl. I like smelling like a hot road... but it is good.

Original poster
BuckarooWithBruceGrobelaar · 18/09/2021 23:16

Thanks so much for all the advice, I really appreciate it. For those asking, his hair is very much like this pic of Brad Mondo (not long). My hairdresser cut it for him and he likes it this way (doesn't want to go shorter)

@Soontobe60 definitely no lice, I keep a close eye on his hair

Advice about what DS can use for his smelly hair
OP posts:
zighead · 18/09/2021 23:50

I've just ordered one of those shampoo brushes for my dyspraxic DS @sofakingcool Thanks for the recommendation.

@BuckarooWithBruceGrobelaar I get my DS to alternate his shampoos, one is Vosene and the other just a general supermarket one for greasy hair. This definitely helps keep it fresher.

TeenTitan007 · 19/09/2021 04:08

Body shop Ginger shampoo does wonders for teen smelly hair. They have a vegan version now.

Plumtree391 · 19/09/2021 05:09

Why does he not wash his hair for several days? Hair picks up smells from the environment eg cooking etc, and smells from things we eat are exuded from the pores of our skin, including scalp.

Dandruff has a smell of its own.

Get him to thoroughly shampoo his hair and rinse it well, far more often than once in several days, and it won't smell bad.

ClaryFairchild · 19/09/2021 05:18

I had to stop my DD using head and shoulders because it wasn't cleaning his hair once he turned 14 - greasy and smelly. Any other deep cleaning shampoo should do the trick - but he needs to wash hair twice. If not then the tea tree ones are amazing.

ClaryFairchild · 19/09/2021 05:21

Sorry, that was my DS! I also used to use it and had to stop once we moved to Melbourne as the softer water meant I couldn't wash it out properly.

winewolfhowls · 19/09/2021 07:42

I find that having a few different brands of shampoo on the go gives good results here with my very greasy head!

Starlightstarbright1 · 19/09/2021 07:49

I had this with my ds when he was about 12. I retaught him hair washing.

I would also get him washing his hair everyday if no improvement sounds like it needs it

Cakeonthefloor · 19/09/2021 08:12

My son uses a charcoal shampoo for men, a few brands do them. Works really well He is more oily than smelly though.

NotExactlyHappyToHelp · 19/09/2021 08:20

I had this with DS. The solution was making sure he’s washing his hair properly x 2 every shower. He was only doing it once and it just wasn’t working properly. I change his pillowcase frequently too, bedsheets changed once a week but top pillow three times a week.

GellerYeller · 19/09/2021 08:34

Some shampoos don't remove product properly-or as you say, a build up of grease/shampoo residue over time if he's not rinsed fully. Half a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in a normal amount of shampoo, followed by a second wash/thorough rinse once a week is my recommendation. Much less harsh and cheaper than clarifying shampoo.

GoodnightGrandma · 19/09/2021 08:39

Years ago T-Gel did a shampoo that really cleaned your hair, it stripped off all the shampoo/conditioner/product build up. Can’t find it now, but it was great.

Workinghardeveryday · 19/09/2021 09:20

We have the same problem with ds 10, not started puberty. Smell started about 9 months ago.
I change pillow slip about 3 or 4 times a week, sheets once or twice a week.
Shampoo every day. He was using head and shoulders and the smell did get worse.
As long as he washes it every day with any other shampoo I can’t smell it anymore.
Dp can’t smell a thing! It’s the smell of his room that gets me the most. Much better now though

Original poster
BuckarooWithBruceGrobelaar · 19/09/2021 10:31

@Plumtree391

Why does he not wash his hair for several days? Hair picks up smells from the environment eg cooking etc, and smells from things we eat are exuded from the pores of our skin, including scalp.

Dandruff has a smell of its own.

Get him to thoroughly shampoo his hair and rinse it well, far more often than once in several days, and it won't smell bad.

He does wash it every day, when he has a shower
OP posts:
sofakingcool · 19/09/2021 10:32

@zighead

I've just ordered one of those shampoo brushes for my dyspraxic DS *@sofakingcool* Thanks for the recommendation.

@BuckarooWithBruceGrobelaar I get my DS to alternate his shampoos, one is Vosene and the other just a general supermarket one for greasy hair. This definitely helps keep it fresher.

You're welcome @zighead ! TBH I wish we'd discovered it sooner, DS really struggles to apply enough pressure with his hands to thoroughly wash his hair and this has been amazing.