My 6 year old has an odd sticky/takiness/film to her hair that I can't seem to get out. It's feels almost like the conditioner didn't get rinsed all the way out but more sticky than oily. It's not at the scalp but in the bottom 5 inches of her hair in the back. It's really tangly and notted in that section.I tried clarifying shampoo, vinegar and water solution and finally dawn dish detergent and none of those has worked. It seemed to show up this summer so I'm wondering if it may be something from the pool? I also read something about a fungus? She doesn't have any flakes, it's not present at the scalp and doesn't complain of itchiness so I'm doubting it's a medical problem.
Anyone had this issue? I'm up for trying anything.
I went out today and bought the Neutrogena clarifying shampoo, baking soda and deep conditioner. She's headed to Grandmas (swimming-ugh) for 3 days and I'm going to have her coated in a leave-in. From what it sounds like you guys are right- chorline. It's crazy- she only swims maybe once or twice a week. Best way to describe it is "barbie hair". Shiny and tacky. I'll give it a few days and report back. Thanks for all the suggestions!
Update #2: I'm late with the update but yep sure enough- it's chlorine and all the damage associated with it. We've been pool free for a couple weeks now and it's finally not sticky. It's still bizarrly shiny though. There really was no instant solution. Just a lot of washing and a lot of heavy conditioning. I learned my lesson though- Next summer I'll put leave in conditioner in her hair before she swims and wash it as soon as possible after she gets out. What a mess !
We just went through the same thing with my daughter. It is chlorine damage. We were told to trim off all the damaged parts, otherwise it will just keep climbing up her hair. Also, before she goes swimming wet her hair and put a leave in a conditioner (we use Redkin). That way it will absorb the conditioner and not the chlorine. It seems to be working so far. Good Luck!
her hair could just be damaged/dry and chlorinated to the point that that part needs to be trimmed off. I would take her to the salon and ask them their opinion. Chlorine can do alot of damage if she is swimming alot.
Are you sure it's not sunblock? It takes more than three washings for me to get it out of my kids' hair.
I apologize if I end up sending this twice. I composed an answer & tried to send it, but I don't see it posted. I hope that one of the other suggestions is correct, but if not, then I would suggest looking up on the Internet what a lice infestation looks like. My son had sticky clumps in his hair a few years ago, and I had no idea what it was. Fortunately, a neighbor recognized it and told us to check for head lice. He did have lice, and all of us ended up with at least a few in our hair before we conquered the infestation. Gross, I know. It turns out that our son was at a sleepover at a house with another child who had lice, and that's how it got into his hair, and then into our house. If your daughter does have lice (and it's no reflection on her cleanliness or your housekeeping if this is the case), research online the best ways to deal with it, and then head for your local pharmacy to get what you need. I'd be glad to share what worked best for us. It was quite a battle to get it out of our house, but we succeeded, and there have been no new infestations in the past four years.
Oh My goodness!! After reading some of these posts, I have realized that YES!! It is the chlorine form the pool!!!! My daughter and I both have this sticky gooey residue in our hair that is at the ends of our hair. When you try to brush it when a little damp or dry is it almost impossible. I have tried the clarifying shampoos and baking soda treatments.............nothing worked. I noticed this happening right after my daughter and I both dyed our hair. We thought it was that, even though we color our hair regularly without problems. But, Just recently, we took up the swimming sport to get a little more fit. Going to the pool at least 4 days a week, sometimes 2 hours at a time. So, now I know how this happened to me and my daughter.
I will second sunscreen. It makes my daughter's hair dry/sticky/tangly too.
I would try some heavy conditioning treatments. It sounds like it needs some deep moisture and TLC. Good luck!
I think these moms are probably right about chlorine,
but I am also wondering what she may be putting in her hair herself, when you aren't looking ?
I KNOW 6 year old little girls. You may think you know everything they are up to, but believe me, they do some curious things, and do them in the blink of an eye ! LOL.
I'd ask one of two experts:
1. Your hair stylist - they see hundreds of heads a week and likely can tell you what it is and recommend a way to treat it
2. A dermatologist - if she's been treated for something like head lice recently, it's possible that the product you used to treat hasn't fully washed out of the hair.
Good luck.
