She is likely not washing it properly when she does wash it. Is there a way you can show her again to use the proper amount of shampoo and massage the scalp for a few minutes? |
Yes, oily adolescents need to wash their hair/scalp every day. |
Nope. Simply not true. She might need to get her hair out of her face every day, but washing it incessantly is pretty damaging. |
I was this oily haired adolescent. I did need to wash every day. Even now. But my wavy haired DD is different and has a different hair washing frequency. One PP claiming to speak for all adolescents needs... Well as a parent, you need to figure out what your kid needs. |
| the question is, if it looks gross, does she NEED to wash it everyday? |
Yes. We had the same issue OP and at 14.5 I put my foot down. We told her that good hygiene habits are a non-negotiable life skill. She doesn’t have to be a girl who primps or gets all into glam with makeup and heels, or even style her hair beyond brushing. But she does have to have a clean look and smell, in addition to actually being clean. This is healthy and sanitary and a socially acceptable way of being in the world with and among other people. She would agree and then ignore. I used to just say every other day or even every third day is fine. But that never worked because it was a battle of “I forgots” until we finally made a schedule and started setting reminder alarms for every other day. Now she gets a shower and hair wash as a MUST DO every other night at 8:00 PM. Two years later, it is still in her routine. |
Curious if you had a dad or was this just mom's responsibility? |
NP and I have definitely used this, but I had to adjust the tactic a little to let her know that unfortunately kids get to an age where they don’t tell you to your face anymore. But this doesn’t mean they don’t think it or say it behind your back! Don’t be the stinky kid! |
You say it’s non negotiable. Showering is as basic as brushing teeth. My DS showers everyday. DD does too but wears a shower cap so that she only washes her hair every other day. Kids sweat and are stinky. |
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I would set up some rules, but do not overdo it. While faces and hair are oily, teen skin can get really dried out. So focus on a few rules (shower every day, wash hair every other day, extra showering is needed after intense exercise). And then make sure she has the right products. She might need a good cleansing shampoo, but also need a hydrating soap or body wash. I went through a period when I was young when I hated showering because it made my skin so dry.
And - you have to remind them over and over about face washing before bed (if she showers in the am). |
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I had to wash mine every day for quite a while. I had very fine, oily hair. It smelled and stuck to my head if I didn't wash it.
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Controlling much. |
| Re hair - have you tried dry shampoo? That helps my DD extend a day. Mak |
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Sorry to say, but not caring that much is what got you into this situation. Unless your daughter has a disability of sorts, regular bathing and grooming should be automatic by this point. I guess I was excessively engaged in my daughter’s presentation, but I took great pleasure in seeing her clean, well-dressed with her hair styled every day. |
| My son does shower every day but also has acne, which DOES bother him...but when I ask if he has washed his face he often lies and says he has but I can tell he has not. I don't get it. Its easy and it will help - A LOT. He is 14 and cares about his appearance, showers but will not wash his face with face wash. Just won't. Maybe once a week he will, and he knows he has to if he wants the acne gone. I feel your pain, it really doesn't make a lot of sense. If it helps at all he goes from I don't care to can I get accutane, so it does bother him even when he pretends it doesn't. We are working on it! |