Best dry shampoo for ASD teen?

[Anonymous]

I thought this would be the best place to post of any, I'm sure others can relate!

14 year old DD (ASD, ADHD, etc.) has significant executive functioning issues and showering is a problem. We've finally after a number of years got her actually showering, but we are still working on *effectively* showering. She also has naturally sort of greasy hair - I only wash my hair once per week, it's so dry and thick, but hers gets visibly greasy after a day, and when she doesn't wash it thoroughly it looks like that most days. In the shower, she usually puts a glob of shampoo on one area of her head, if she remembers to shampoo at all.

Does anyone who has frequently used dry shampoo have a recommendation of brand or type?

I do wash her hair thoroughly one per week, but that only lasts for one day.

[Anonymous]

Are we just looking for effectiveness here or are there any sensory issues?

The ingredient you’re looking for, imo, is Orzya Satvia (rice starch). I have really oily hair and this is the one that works. Brands to try: Batiste, which you can get at CVS. Even the “light” Batiste is too perfume-y for me though, so I like Klorane, particularly the oat milk version. I buy it on Amazon. It comes as a spray and also as a powder. The powder is harder to apply evenly but more cost effective and also could help if the spray is a sensory problem? It comes in a squeeze bottle and you kind of puff it out.

Tip: it works best if you put it on dry, clean hair. I know that isn’t intuitive but I think it’s better at keeping clean hair clean longer than it is at rescuing hair that’s already visibly greasy. But either will do something.

[Anonymous]

Would it help if you washed it for her in a sink vs the shower? Amazon has a bunch of options for “portable salon” set ups.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are we just looking for effectiveness here or are there any sensory issues?

The ingredient you’re looking for, imo, is Orzya Satvia (rice starch). I have really oily hair and this is the one that works. Brands to try: Batiste, which you can get at CVS. Even the “light” Batiste is too perfume-y for me though, so I like Klorane, particularly the oat milk version. I buy it on Amazon. It comes as a spray and also as a powder. The powder is harder to apply evenly but more cost effective and also could help if the spray is a sensory problem? It comes in a squeeze bottle and you kind of puff it out.

Tip: it works best if you put it on dry, clean hair. I know that isn’t intuitive but I think it’s better at keeping clean hair clean longer than it is at rescuing hair that’s already visibly greasy. But either will do something.

Super helpful, thank you. There aren’t extreme sensory issues (with this particular thing, anyway) but if it’s the kind that makes you feel like you’re going to choke, that’ll be difficult so this is helpful info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would it help if you washed it for her in a sink vs the shower? Amazon has a bunch of options for “portable salon” set ups.

Thanks! I was reluctant to say this on DCUM because I was afraid to get blasted, but I give her a bath once a week. I know she's old for it, and it's one of the (many) things I feel I'm probably doing wrong, but she likes it and we have our best conversations at bath time, so her hair gets really clean once a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would it help if you washed it for her in a sink vs the shower? Amazon has a bunch of options for “portable salon” set ups.

Thanks! I was reluctant to say this on DCUM because I was afraid to get blasted, but I give her a bath once a week. I know she's old for it, and it's one of the (many) things I feel I'm probably doing wrong, but she likes it and we have our best conversations at bath time, so her hair gets really clean once a week.

Yes, I was just wondering if the sink thing could add a wash or two, quickly and maybe with an iPad.

[Anonymous]

I have the same problem with my ASD dd, who is almost 17, if that's any consolation. It is frustrating.

[Anonymous]

I prefer the powder kind over the spray. It’s more effective and doesn’t choke you with the smell. Acure makes a good one and you can buy it on Amazon.

[Anonymous]

I use the Batiste but I haven’t found an unscented one yet so you could try having her wear a mask while you apply it. Also it’s quite loud so maybe earplugs if that it’s an issue.

[Anonymous]

I prefer Batiste as well. They almost always have it at Marshall's/TJ Maxx for cheaper, so that's where I get it.

I've also tried the Trader Joe's dry shampoo, but I didn't love it. It's in more of a pump bottle than a true spray, and I find that makes it a little unwieldy to apply. I also think it doesn't absorb quite as well as Batiste.

[Anonymous]

OP, I am in the same boat. 12 year old DD has had the worst time with showering and hair washing. Even as an infant, it was just awful. Mine also does the thing where she just places the shampoo in a blob on one part of her head. I have been trying for years to teach her how to effectively lather and rinse. Because of her sensory issues, the only time her hair gets really clean is when she goes to a salon. I truly wish I could afford to send her once a week.

[Anonymous]

I like Hairstory Powder dry shampoo. It's pricey, but it lasts, is easy to use and doesn't have a strong scent.

My DS12 has longer hair and is not great about getting it clean either. I make him wear swim trunks once a week in the shower so I can give him a thorough shampooing!

[Anonymous]

I have hair like your daughter's, and I cannot go more than a day without washing my hair without it being an oily mess unless I use dry shampoo. The most effective in my experience has been the "Drop Dead Gorgeous" powder. It really absorbs the oil.

I recently got some of the aerosol spray dry shampoo at CVS, and it smells nice (the powder doesn't seem to have much smell), but I don't think it absorbs the oil as well.

For what it's worth, I usually put my hair into a bun overnight and put the powder on my roots before going to bed. Overnight, it rubs into my scalp, and I take the bun out in the morning and brush. It makes my very flat hair have body and a bit of curl on the ends, and it actually often looks better than if I shampoo!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like Hairstory Powder dry shampoo. It's pricey, but it lasts, is easy to use and doesn't have a strong scent.

My DS12 has longer hair and is not great about getting it clean either. I make him wear swim trunks once a week in the shower so I can give him a thorough shampooing!

I’ve used this and other dry shampoos — try using a brush with soft bristles and shaking just a bit of the powder onto the brush. Brush neat the scalp then add a bit more powder and brush further down. Go lite on the powder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would it help if you washed it for her in a sink vs the shower? Amazon has a bunch of options for “portable salon” set ups.

Thanks! I was reluctant to say this on DCUM because I was afraid to get blasted, but I give her a bath once a week. I know she's old for it, and it's one of the (many) things I feel I'm probably doing wrong, but she likes it and we have our best conversations at bath time, so her hair gets really clean once a week.

If you both like it, and it works then she's not too old. It sounds like a lovely thing to do for her.

I have been in situations where I need to help a kid wash their hair, and I don't have a shower set up, and don't want to be helping them when they are unclothed (think kid with disability at sleep away camp kind of situation). One thing that works is to dilute shampoo a lot, put it in a spray bottle, and comb it through, and then the kid hops in the shower to rinse it out. I wonder if something like that could work? Not to replace the bath, but for other nights, or if something comes up midweek where you need it clean?

I have no experience with dry shampoo so I can't help there.