Hair oil for children?

[Indrid]

Just posting for traffic

So children with very curly, tangled hair (dread locks really in some places)

They have autism and can't bear hair washed/brushed. We sort of cope a bit by using paraben free/sls free hair oils and detangler, and alittle soft brushing when calm. Any better ideas? Any hair oil/detangler recommended? They seem sensitive to 'chemical' products so we try the natural ones, which are often recommended for curly hair anyways.

I know you said that they don't like to have their hair combed but you could you try Wet Brush. It's gentle and don't pull on hair like normal brushes or combs. Look Fantastic has free postage and always have discounts available so it would not be too expensive to get one and try.
French haircare range Phyto is a natural range and has hair oils, you could try their travel packs before you commit to full size. Also, spraying on leave in conditioner might help.

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I have tried, and tried tangle teasers and sensory balls on their head to desensitise them and hair dressing toys and books and games. They just can't bear it and likely won't for a very long time but I need to stop the dread locks forming.

Are they okay with just getting their hair wet? Do they shower/bath? If bath, can you get their hair wet, then run conditioner through wet hair and gently finger comb, then swish hair through water? You don't need to rinse all the conditioner out, and a lot of the knots and tangles will slide out as you're going along.

Please don't think I'm nuts but consider mane and tail conditioner or spray (below).

I had a Welsh made with a ridiculous mud gathering wiry curly floor length tail and this stuff made brushes glide through. People are using it on their own hair now.

www.amazon.co.uk/Canter-Mane-Tail-Conditioner-Mist/dp/B002D1A6YO

manentail.com/products/original-mane-n-tail-conditioner/?state=

*Mare not made

Would they cope with about once a week fiddling? If so you could try washing, braiding in two, and leaving for a week - stops the dreadlocks forming.

That's a great idea. They love riding so might like that and I used to use my horses shampoo! No pp they won't get their hair wet at all, they don't even have real baths just stand in the bath for strip washing each morning.

Agree with the mane and tail conditioner. Worked fabulous on my old gelding there are some really strong stuff out there and some milder ones so do read the labels carefully, but as far as I know they're all totally safe with humans

They don't cope with it touched at all really and refuse all forms of plaitting/pony tails/clips/hair bands

Get a spray bottle. Spray small sections of their hair with water, then apply oil, and any conditioner with good slip. i have very dry afro hair, and I usually use a garnier fructis conditioner and argan oil for detangling. Then detangle from the ends upwards, with a big toothed comb or a denham brush.

Tresemme conditioner is also good for detangling - go for the one which is good for dry hair.

I don't know if the spraying of the water will scare them, though, but this is the way I deal with my hair.

Gosh that must be so hard. Is a short haircut an option? I am sure you thought of it. There is some good advice above.

They are ok with a small spray bit isn't tresemme full of sls/parabens? I didn't think it was a natural brand and that the stuff their skin reacts too

They wouldn't go into a hair dressers or sit to get it cut if a stranger came into our home. I cut the worst chunks out but this isn't a great solution

Can you teach them to finger comb it themselves? I am hypersensitive to touch myself and detested washing/combing/brushing. I was a little better when I could do it myself (took ages due to dyspraxia), but I will admit that as an adult I have given up and grown dreadlocks. So liberating, I can just get up in the morning and go.

I don't have a personal experience of this range but it seems to have very good reviews and is specifically formulated for children with curly hair without parabens etc.
www.curlyellie.com

Have you tried the Shea moisture range? It's a bit pricey though, but paraben free, etc.

Will have a looked at both of those ranges ty.

They are too young to finger comb, they have 0 self care skills at present but will keep that in mind for future. Ty

Original sprout hair products. Great for kids and free from nasties

www.originalsprout.co.uk/

Indrid in terms of getting hair cut there's a barber in South Wales called Jim the Trim. He's made it a personal mission to make it possible for children with autism to have haircuts and he has a brilliant track record. A friend with highly sensitive autistic children think he's amazing and love that their children now have decent haircuts.

He can't be the only barber who wants to do this and has mastered the art of hair cutting in a stress free way, it may even be worth getting in touch with him (on Facebook) to see if he knows anyone fairly local to you that may be worth a visit. I know a barber is normally for boys hair (it's not clear if you have sons, daughters or both) but given how tough hair maintenance is I'd think anyone who can help cut their hair might be good.

Hope you find something that helps.

Girls. And couldn't be further from Wales! Don't do Facebook either, but will ask friends who do

Although we can't really take them in any place really at the moment, life is pretty extreeme and their anxiety is severe, but too young for medication

Try shop.britishcurlies.co.uk/

Great for curly hair products. I use a brand called design essentials naturals. The almond and avocado leave in conditioner is great. I agree with a PP if you buy a spray bottle and mix a little conditioner with water and use that to dampen their hair (if they can cope with that). I can't offer any advise on brushing but finger combing might be the best option. Good luck finding a solution that works for your situation.

Have you tried the mixed chicks children's range. They do a good leave in conditioner and oil. Most are from the states but loads of Afro hair shops sell it in London. It's not heavy on Caucasian hair at all btw.

Sorry that things are hard. Best of luck with finding a solution that works for you and your girls.