Question

Mom hive mind - my 8. 5 year old daughter has started having dandruff, and with her gorgeous dark hair it’s quite visible. Any recommendations for a gentle dandruff shampoo appropriate for this age? She has super sensitive and dry skin so I’m very leery of using new things on her. Not looking for essential oil or MLM product recommendations.  

Answer 1

Tea tree oil shampoo

Comments

Paul Mitchell has a really nice tea tree shampoo!  

---

Thats the one I use. Makes your scalp tingle.  

---

@hydnocarpate7 the tingle would probably freak her out - sensory issues.  

Answer 2

My daughter struggled with dandruff - redken dandruff helped a ton!  

Answer 3

Professional hairdresser here Is it dry scalp or true dandruff?  

Comments

Tracy, how to know the difference?  

---

@stepaniestepbrother dry scalp is just white. Clinical dandruff is yellowish and can have an odor as well as feel a bit waxy.  

---

Tracy, thank you! My 11 has had dry scalp then since she was an infant. What do you recommend?  

---

@grueling6707 thank you so much!  

---

@grueling6707 that’s very helpful info. Hers is definitely just white, so maybe it’s just dry flakes?  

---

@stepaniestepbrother yes, many people mistake dry for dandruff. Then they choose something to aggressive and it can aggravate the situation. It’s is important to help her now. I believe it helps pre-teens transition to teens and adulthood sooo much easier when they have good hair.  

---

@bassesalpes16031 It most likely is and she has no idea how super supportive you are as a mom. Great job!  

---

@grueling6707 I’ll ask her stylist at her next haircut for her opinion as well, but I’ll focus on hydrating options for now. And thanks for the confidence boost - she has enough factors going against her heading into puberty (long story) so anything I can do to help her out, I’m here for!  

---

@grueling6707 we have Paul Mitchell awapuhi and detangler in the house already for her younger sister, so we can use those for now - thank you so much!  

---

@bassesalpes16031 feel free to reach out if you need anymore info. Love helping others

Answer 4

Paul Mitchell tea tree

Answer 5

Apple cider vinegar shampoo

Answer 6

Also remember to hydrate from the inside out. Lots of fluids , momma  

Answer 7

Use cooler water to wash her hair. That will also help the dry scalp

Answer 8

Nizoral works well for me. I have super sensitive skin and it was recommended by my dermatologist.  

Answer 9

Tea tree shampoo it smells good too

Answer 10

You should Davines alchemic shampoo and treatment for dandruff. Davines is a very natural healthy brand. You can check it out Bird & Belle Salon Collective. If she comes in for a cut we can upgrade her to a spa haircut cut, which includes a complimentary treatment. It’s always nice to have someone give you tips to manage your hair.  

Answer 11

My hair stylist recommended this for my dry scalp dandruff. it helped tremendously!  

Answer 12

I struggle with this too and the dermatologist noticed at my skin check appt. I learned that dandruff is caused by a fungus on the scalp. Yummy!  she recommended T-SAL by Neutrogena and wrote me a prescription for shampoo. I only used each a couple times and it went away. Try just the shampoo. I had no problems with irritation and if you were worried, you could dilute it with her regular shampoo.  

Answer 13

My kids just use head and shoulders, it works.  

Answer 14

I saw an ad for this recently on Pandora. screenshot it for someone I know with the same need. Worth looking into!  

Comments

@lou42810 I use this once a week for dry scalp. It is gentle but works really well.  

Answer 15

Head and shoulders.  

Answer 16

When I was in cosmetology school we wrapped a mannequin head saturated with head and shoulders in rods. The chemicals are soooo strong it permanently changed the disulfide bonds of the hair and made it curly. Please do not use head and shoulders. Especially on your children.  

Comments

@grueling6707 I second this! We did that as well in cosmo school and got the same results! Children’s hair are very fragile! Head and shoulders is a NO GO! @bassesalpes16031

Answer 17

AG sells an anti dandruff shampoo that’s amazing. U could probably get it at Ulta.  

Answer 18

My daughter has a similar problem. She uses Neutrogena T-Sal shampoo and a medicated shampoo prescribed by her dermatologist. T-sal helps gets the flakes out

Answer 19

BeautyCounter! All natural ingredients and no harmful chemicals www. beautycounter. com/nicolesrail

Answer 20

Paul Mitchell tea tree shampoo and conditioner

Answer 21

Try goat milk soap, it’s gentle and you can get it from amazon. I would not recommend using Tea tree oil products. Pediatrician told me that in young girls this ingredient can cause their body’s to produce more estrogen which they don’t need. Try something without harsh chemicals. Most personal hygiene products already contain a ton of chemicals in them. A biweekly oil treatment might be helpful too. Simple olive oil or avocado oil massage it into the scalp, wrap it for about 30-45 minutes, and wash it out. Works great and is gentle on the hair and scalp.  

Answer 22

This has been awesome for buildup on my scalp. Very natural and gentle.  

Answer 23

I also use avedas rosemary mint line. It’s soothing to the scalp and i leave the conditioner on a few minutes after rubbing in scalp

Answer 24

We used this recommended by a friend and it was a dream. my daughter has blonde hair so it didn't show as much but this worked like a charm. Gentle, smells great.  

Answer 25

I’d be super skeptical to put chemicals and toxins right on her fragile and sensitive scalp. I think sometimes it can be an internal thing- gut health, sensitivity, or just build up of something in her body (sugar, dairy, soy, etc) I’d try a probiotic, extra water and eliminating some of those heavy hitters one at a time to see if there’s any difference! If it’s just dryness, I know blow drying right after a bath/shower helps. And a gentle shampoo and conditioner- Alaffia is a good brand (amazon or Whole Foods)

Answer 26

Try the baby cradle cap shampoo by Mustella. Works wonders!