Greasy teenage hair despair

[chipmunksex]

ds (13) washes his hair 5 nights a week (sun-thur we let him off at the weekend, he is very not keen). He always looks like he has not washed it for weeks!

I'm fairly sure he doesn't do a very good job, but at 13 I can't really get in there and help him, can I? I have advised him to wash it twice, rub the shampoo in well and use plenty of water and so on.

Is there any shampoo that I can get him that will do a good job even if he is a bit slap dash?

I would have thought 5 nights a week was a bit too much, to be honest? It might be overstimulating his natural oils.

What shampoo does he currently use? I had big problems using Fructis for some reason when I was younger, turned my head into an oil slick. Just make sure there's the basic ones, like maybe Pantene or Herbal Essences or something, not the 2 in 1 versions so he just uses the shampoo without conditioner. Maybe suggest washing every other day washing?

Sorry for the extra 'washing' in that last sentence

It may be that he isn't removing the grease.

Get him to try shampooing a different way. Whatever shampoo is chosen put the usual amount of shampoo that he uses into a plastic beaker - may be one or two teaspoons - depending on whether he has long or short hair. To the shampoo in the beaker add about three inches of warm water. Mix well. Then apply some of the shampoo mixture to dry hair making sure all the hair is included. Lather well. Rinse off and repeat with shampoo mixture; again lathering well and rinsing well. The hair should feel squeaky clean if the procedure has been successful.

If the amount of shampoo suggested is not enough, increase slightly. He may be able to manage shampooing his hair every other day but there is no harm in shampooing every day.

Also make sure that he has a clean pillow so that grease is not transferred back to the hair from the pillow.

Using a plastic beaker because a glass one is difficult to hold when wet and could be easily dropped.

Let me know how you get on.

I've had really greasy hair - wash every day and use dry shampoo half way through the day but the best thing has been Lush shampoo bars. They do boy ones, to apply you rub the bar around your wet head 2-3 times, put the soap down and rub a bit and it washes out really easily I.e. perfectly capable of a soap shy 13 year old.

And does he use the shower or the bath?

DS (12) here uses the lemony head and shoulders it has a lemon on the front but I have no idea what it's called which is lusciously creamy, which he loves, and does the trick for greasy heair really well.
He washes it about 3-4 x a week.

My son uses Alberto Balsam tea tree shampoo, it's got mint in it as well and keeps the grease at bay. It's also only about a quid for a decent sized bottle, so it's not too bad if he's a bit heavy handed with it.

Amber, I'm sure your method works a treat, but I'm not sure ds will try it, it's been a battle to get him to bathe and wash his hair more than once a week as it is. He would freak if I suggested coming in and supervising/adapting his method.-he is 13

Most of the problem is that he sweats into his hair at night, he could wash his hair in the morning, but hates to go out with wet hair and won't use a hair dryer. I can't justify forcing him and he's not bothered, although he has admitted to having been teased about it.

I was just hoping there was something I could buy and leave in the bathroom for him that would help.

Try Lush products... shampoo bars are good as he would need to rub them on his head to get the lather up, hence making him do a good job by default! I have greasy hair and suffer terribly with looking like a chip pan has dropped on my head on day 2 after washing, but Lush products help.

Have a read on www.lush.co.uk - each shampoo bar has a really good description of what hair it is best for....

Recommended!

Seconding the lemon Head & Shoulders - which was recommended by someone on here. It has changed DD's hair from greasy and smelly, despite daily washing (and believe me washing less often just made it worse), to lovely hair .

My teenage daughter had the same problem with greasy hair. I found Boots own brand shampoo for oily hair and a "serum" type product for oily hair (it comes in a green box, with Expert on it). You put the serum stuff onto the hair and massage it in after you have washed your hair. My daughter makes different partings and applies along the partings. She has gone from washing her hair every day to be able to wash it every 3 days. The serum stuff seems to "dry out" the oil.

The green Herbal essence is the only thing that works for my DD. You could try Baptiste dry shampoo in the morning.

Highlights help too

i have horrendously greasy roots...Lush's I Love Juicy works for me. I rub it in DRY hair first before adding water. I've found it cleans a lot better this way. I only use lukewarm water then finish with a cold rinse. Rinse loads . I often go to bed with dry shampoo on too as helps keep it fresher so i can skip a morning wash

Why doesn't he a buzz cut until his hormones have settled down? That way he can rinse it in the shower in the morning and dry it with a towel. It's not a very good idea to have long hair if it's an oil slick, or sweaty - and I speak from experience!

Make sure he's not using a dirty brush or comb - they need to be washed every day too, and no hats day after day, same goes for pillow cases as someone else has mentioned.

If he's being teased about it in school - I'd have a word with the Principal as that's bullying, and a MUCH bigger issue than a bit of oil on his head tbh.

Those of you who said lemon head and shoulders-thank you very much.

ds used it last night and looks loads better this morning.

because he's worth it