Stubborn extra dry spot on the back on my daughter's head: Is this normal?

Yes, Still Paula

First of all, I want to point out that my daughter, who is now 2, does have extra dry hair. I can't tell if it's a 3a or 3b, but it is rather dry. I've been getting it to look and feel more like it has some sheen with the help of oils and conditioners, but I don't know if that's a bad approach after reading in a thread below about how certain ingredients (ex: rosemary, essential oils, etc.) are not healthy for babies and toddlers. I do use regular baby shampoo for her as well, and I don't shampoo her hair every day.

Second of all, I've got to say that she has this extra stubborn dry spot located at the bottom, back of her hair. I do use a lot of conditioner in that spot and it usually helps for a while, but like with anything it can build up after a while. Since it's not breaking off or anything (just growing rather slowly), I must be doing the right thing by keeping it conditioned as much as possible. Or..am I?

Overall, not only would I like to know if there's a different approach I should be taking to keep it moist...but what I would really like to know is- is it common for toddlers to have a particular spot in their hair and scalp that seems considerably dryer that the rest of the hair?

curlygirlyme

My daughter has a dry spot like that from sleeping on it. Honestly... I haven't found away to get rid of it. Even if I put up her hair when she's sleeping her hair comes lose and still gets dry. I just don't use shampoo with SLS or any other sulfates, condition every time I wash, and use a good dentagler between washes.

kona

When I was a kid the whole back of my head would get like cotton and frizz into a big knot. My mom spent hours trying to untangle it, her soultion was to cut it short and keep it that way.

When I was about 7 or so she asked a stylist about it and she recomended Infusium 23 leave in. It was a god send when I was a kid I finally got to grow my hair out and my mom could comb it without pulling my hair out.

I don't know if you are doing CG on her hair or if it has 'cones in it, as it has been years since I used it but I remember it working well on that spot on me.

Cathie

madhuri_dixit_fan

I think it's common for little ones to have dry patch in hair due to how they sleep. My kids are in grade school and they still have small area of hair that is super stubborn at times. Things that have helped me were using simple spritz of distilled water + aloe vera juice/gel (sometimes I added California Baby Calming Conditioner...and I make only a small amount and use it up in one day) and then applying light coat of Camellia Seed Oil over that. For my son, I have to layer a Gel and tiny bit of Shea Butter over that, but he's 9 and I never did that when he was younger. Camellia Seed Oil is very good at retaining moisture and making hair soft. It's not thick, not sticky, and doesn't have a strong scent (as compared to how Olive Oil can get a certain scent after few days in hair or after sweating).

Yes, Still Paula

Ok...good, so now I can rest assured it's fairly normal. My daughter pretty much slept only on her back for the longest time...I think till she was 18 months old or so.

The distilled water sounds especially tempting. I would spend the extra money on such water if I knew for sure it would make a big difference over tap. I can probably try washing it that way too then.

Is distilled water better than spring water though?

subbrock

sleeping on a satin sheet or pillowcase has pretty much eliminated the dry spot on my daughters hair.

Yes, Still Paula

subbrock wrote: »

sleeping on a satin sheet or pillowcase has pretty much eliminated the dry spot on my daughters hair.

Thanks. Actually, I just started her up on satin sheets a couple of weeks ago (she doesn't use a pillow yet) and I'm waiting to see the results. Hmmm...that reminds me- I wonder if it's time for her to use a pillow yet or not?

madhuri_dixit_fan

Paula wrote: »

Ok...good, so now I can rest assured it's fairly normal. My daughter pretty much slept only on her back for the longest time...I think till she was 18 months old or so.

The distilled water sounds especially tempting. I would spend the extra money on such water if I knew for sure it would make a big difference over tap. I can probably try washing it that way too then.

Is distilled water better than spring water though?

I honestly don't know if spring or distilled is better. I have only used the distilled for sprays. I use it because we live with hard water and I have filters on the shower heads, bathubs and kitchen faucets. Mucho weary of chlorine in tap water causing uber dryness.

Yes, Still Paula

madhuri_dixit_fan wrote: »

I honestly don't know if spring or distilled is better. I have only used the distilled for sprays. I use it because we live with hard water and I have filters on the shower heads, bathubs and kitchen faucets. Mucho weary of chlorine in tap water causing uber dryness.

Well, sounds like either one must be much better than tap. I might consider washing her hair with filtered water or anything that's not hard water just to help her hair stay healthy as it grows.

Another thing (maybe this calls for a new thread)....I also don't understand why water makes my daughter's hair go flat sometimes after I comb it- AND it can stay that way when dry for a while. On her flatter hair days, it stays fairly straight until she goes to sleep. Then after she sleeps on her hair, her natural perspiration seems to make it curly again. If I want to avoid the flat look on her hair, I can just gently pick it after she wakes up and not put any water in it. But, in general, her hair really likes water....whether it looks curly or straight. When it doesn't go flat, the water just springs up her curls and makes them bouncy. Unlike my hair, water really revives her hair and gives her dry hair a temporary sheen. Thus, I can wash her hair more often than my own.

It's like....does she have "real hair" at this age...or it is likely still baby fuzz that's meant to fall off or eventually get replaced by a different hair type? I mean, she was born bald and didn't have any hair until the age of one. As a reminder, she is now 2...so, if it's still baby fuzz, I wonder when she'll get her new hair?

valencia8

I know I'm late on this thread but where do you all get the satin sheets for your little ones? I would like to get one for my 15 month old who is still in the crib...

brdudeon

My little boy gets the dry matted patch on the back of his head as well. I keep a spray bottle with water mixed with a couple tablespoons of conditioner (I use Tigi Moisture Maniac) and a drop of tea tree oil. I use it to rewet my hair if it dries too quickly when I'm working with it in the morning.

My routine for my son is to wash with Burt's Bees baby bee shampoo only when necessary. Say spaghetti in the hair or something. LOL. I CO wash most baths and let it sit on his hair while he plays. On days in between baths, I'll spray that spot down really well and let it sit for a minute. Then I use my fingers to work thru any tangles that are left and fix/clump his curls. I add a tiny bit of soft hold gel and let it air dry.

subbrock

valencia8 wrote: »

I know I'm late on this thread but where do you all get the satin sheets for your little ones? I would like to get one for my 15 month old who is still in the crib...

i have a satin blanket and just tuck the ends into her crib. if it doesnt cover the entire mattress then thats okay as long as its big enough to cover the area where your little one lays her head. ive seen satin lined blankets at babies r us.

optimus21

I got my satin crib sheet off ebay for less than$20

madhuri_dixit_fan

You can also find satin pillowcases at Bed, Bath and Beyond for $6 sometimes.

Yes, Still Paula

Wow...I haven't been here for a while and kind of forgot about this thread but am glad to see it's picked up since I last checked it. I ended up getting her some satin sheets from Ebay and she ended up liking one of my own satin pillow cases. Go figure!

Oh...and the extra dry spot has pretty much diminished by now....

nadia215

She gets that dry spot too....but not in bed...I style her hair and create the finger curls in the back..looks great, as soon as she gets out of her car seat (it's the britax suede-looking material) it's frizzy....and on top of that we live in HUMID Miami, FL lol
I thought she was the only one...glad she's not alone

subbrock

nadia215 wrote: »

She gets that dry spot too....but not in bed...I style her hair and create the finger curls in the back..looks great, as soon as she gets out of her car seat (it's the britax suede-looking material) it's frizzy....and on top of that we live in HUMID Miami, FL lol
I thought she was the only one...glad she's not alone

thats exactly why i started putting a silk scarf over the back of my little one's car seat!

afrikurl

I have tried pinning an extra large satin scarf to the sheet. that didn't last long cause I kept having to put it back. Also she never stayed on that part. I went to ross and guess what they had a satin sheet set for $9.99. I got a twin size and I just tuck it under. No matter what position she ends up in I got her covered.

cutiepatootie

I'm so happy to find this thread. I've been thinking there must be something about the water too. My 8 year olds hair had more moisture a couple years ago before we moved. Now it appears really dull. The dry patch was normal for all 5 of mine. I've been meaning to buy satin pillowcases for a while, thanks for reminding me.

Melecrystal

Paula wrote: »

First of all, I want to point out that my daughter, who is now 2, does have extra dry hair. I can't tell if it's a 3a or 3b, but it is rather dry. I've been getting it to look and feel more like it has some sheen with the help of oils and conditioners, but I don't know if that's a bad approach after reading in a thread below about how certain ingredients (ex: rosemary, essential oils, etc.) are not healthy for babies and toddlers. I do use regular baby shampoo for her as well, and I don't shampoo her hair every day.

Second of all, I've got to say that she has this extra stubborn dry spot located at the bottom, back of her hair. I do use a lot of conditioner in that spot and it usually helps for a while, but like with anything it can build up after a while. Since it's not breaking off or anything (just growing rather slowly), I must be doing the right thing by keeping it conditioned as much as possible. Or..am I?

Overall, not only would I like to know if there's a different approach I should be taking to keep it moist...but what I would really like to know is- is it common for toddlers to have a particular spot in their hair and scalp that seems considerably dryer that the rest of the hair?

First, quit using baby shampoo, it is very, very drying. Go the no poo route. It is much gentler and less drying. Believe me, her hair will vastly improve. My daughter was also a micro premie and on a lot of meds that also dried her hair. This routine vastly improved her hair. After using a Suave conditioner to "shampoo" her hair, which involved sudsing up her hair with the condish and using the balls of my fingertips only, I would rinse with tepid water. Then I would thickly apply (thick being the operative word) Silk Elements to her hair. The instructions say to rinse out, I did not. I do comb her hair while it is at this stage with my widest tooth comb and that is all. I only pat enough to catch the drips and let it dry naturally. I never use a dryer or curling implement on my daughter's hair. Her hair has become shiney and soft. I never comb her hair dry during retouches. I have a spray bottle that I fill with distilled water in which I have blended Silk Elements and created my own detangler. I also have added some lavender natural oil. Lavender is a natural lice repellant. I like the smell, also... I usually "finger comb" my daughters hair. I fluff it into ringlets unless it is braided, of course. Her normal hairstyle is to have the front of her head braided and the back "natural". Hope this helps. Through trial and error, this works for us. Melecrystal

Yes, Still Paula

Wow...it's been a while I forgot I even posted this thread sometime ago!

Since then...my daughter's dry spot in the back has pretty much diminished with the use of satin pillow cases & sheets, and lots and lots of conditioning over time. I once used an MSM conditioner, and I think that really helped too. I can't do the no poo route at all though..absolutely doesn't work for our hair type as our hair gets a heavy buildup easily and needs some kind of poo to wash it (at least 2x per week).

But, I appreciate the suggestions!