Infants and adults exhibit significant differences in their scalp and do not have the same shampoo needs. Using products tailored to your baby is essential and notably helps to prevent the occurrence of cradle cap. But how do you choose a shampoo for infants?
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Which shampoo should be used for an infant?
Summary
- Washing your baby's hair: an essential task
- Which shampoo should be used to clean an infant's hair?
- How often should you wash a baby's hair?
- Sources
Published February 23, 2024,
updated on March 4, 2024,
by
Pauline, Head of Scientific Communication
—
5 min read
Washing your baby's hair: an essential task.
Even if your baby only has a fine fuzz on their head, it's important to use shampoo as soon as you return home. Indeed, this care not only helps to remove impurities present on your child's scalp but also aids in preventing cradle cap. This condition is characterized by crusty, slightly greasy patches, ranging in color from white to yellow, and may be surrounded by redness. Although superficial, cradle cap can sometimes cause feelings of discomfort and itching. However, it should never be scratched, as this risks injuring the scalp and causing it to bleed, which could subsequently lead to skin irritation and infection.
While it's challenging to prevent baby cradle cap, dermatologists agree that paying close attention to the infant's hygiene is crucial. Using an appropriate shampoo is among the measures to adopt to limit the risk of cradle cap occurrence.
Please note : Baby cradle cap is harmless and usually disappears on its own within a few days. However, if you notice that it persists for two weeks, oozes or bleeds, the skin around it appears swollen, or your child seems overly bothered by itching, it is advisable to consult a pediatrician or your primary care physician.
Which shampoo should be used to clean an infant's hair?
To care for your baby during bath time, it's important to use gentle products that are suitable for the delicacy of their skin and scalp. Here are some tips for combining hygiene and protection when it comes to baby shampoo.
Use a product formulated for babies.
A very gentle and hypoallergenic shampoo is recommended to provide a pleasant and effective wash for your child. These formulas are designed to minimize the risk of allergies. This is particularly important for infants whose scalp and skin overall are delicate and highly permeable. Their epidermis, about 20% thinner than that of adults, more readily absorbs bacteria, pollution particles, as well as allergens contained in certain cosmetic products.
Check the list of ingredients.
Some active ingredients found in shampoos and other care products are not suitable for a baby's scalp. For added safety and peace of mind, we recommend checking the INCI list of shampoos before choosing one. Among the elements to avoid for babies, we can notably mention the allergens, the fragrance agents, the irritating sulfated surfactants (sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium dodecyl sulfate...), the oils essential (bergamot, lemon, bay laurel, palmarosa, verbena...) and the alcohols (isopropyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol...).
Invest in a shampoo with a neutral pH.
To best respect the protective barrier of your baby's scalp, we recommend you prioritize shampoos with a neutral Hydrogen potential (pH).
If you wish, you can certainly choose a baby shampoo for both body and hair, which will allow you to save money without compromising hygiene for your child. As with a regular shampoo, we recommend that you pay close attention to the product's INCI list and choose a product formulated for infants.
How often should you wash a baby's hair?
While it is crucial to perform a daily cleansing for your baby, washing their hair every day is not recommended and may weaken and dry out their scalp. Indeed, babies have a naturally vulnerable skin that is prone to irritations and dryness. To avoid further weakening their skin barrier, it is recommended to shampoo their hair two to three times a week. The ideal and most convenient time to do this is during their bath.
Sources
DARMSTADT G. L. & al. Neonatal skin care. Pediatric Clinics of North America (2000).
HACHEM J. P. & al. Infant epidermal skin physiology: adaptation after birth. British Journal of Dermatology (2012).
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