Adolescence and Hair Care

With the onset of puberty come a series of physical changes, some more salient than others. Some adolescents have an easy time when it comes to their hair, while others may have a real mess on their hands. Here are some common problems and solutions:

Greasy Hair

Hormonal changes can make adolescents produce too much sebum, the natural skin oil that normally makes our skin soft and our hair glossy, but when too much is present it can cause acne and greasiness. Greasy hair is a common problem at this age.

The solution for it is to avoid stimulating the sebaceous glands, and gently remove the excess sebum (but not all of it). To avoid stimulating the glands that produce sebum, your teen should avoid washing their hair too often (once every two or three days is enough), washing twice in a session, using very hot water, and massaging the scalp vigorously. Teach your teen to gently massage the shampoo through their hair and use lukewarm water.

To gently remove excess sebum, use a shampoo formulated for oily hair, but do not do repeat washings, and follow up with a lightweight conditioner. Overwashing or leaving the scalp too dry will cause it to produce even more sebum, worsening the problem. The shampoo has to be gentle enough that it doesn’t stress the scalp.

Dry Hair

Many teens that don’t have oily hair will have dry hair. Use a moisturizing conditioner, and periodically apply a leave-in or other intensive treatment to help nourish and lubricate the hair. Be sure to treat it whenever it gets dry to avoid the risk of breakage or split ends.

Bad Hair Habits

Make sure to teach your teen to avoid touching his or her hair and face. At this time, teens are especially vulnerable to pimple-causing bacteria, and touching of the face and hair can spread dirt and bacteria very quickly. Encourage your teen to wear their hair in a style that doesn’t touch their face, since hair will quickly transfer its sebum and dirt to the skin, where it can cause breakouts.

Teens should make sure they are using the right type of brush or comb, and groom their hair daily. For most adolescents, a natural boar bristle brush or wide-toothed comb is a good choice. Narrow-toothed combs are not recommended; they help transfer sebum too quickly, and run the risk of pulling out hair.

Mama wants to help

Resources for free food Domestic violence hotline Free and low rent housing Adult daycare Holiday resources Share your story. We will listen.