Do you have really thick, long hair? Help!

Have her try using conditioner on the top. Dd had this issue and as soon as she started using the conditioner on the scalp it was rinsing better.


Also, have her use a clarifying shampoo once or twice a week on her scalp.

I had to teach my son to really scrub his scalp. Not deep digging with his nails but a light, circular little scratching motion with his fingers. My mom bought me tea tree oil-based shampoo when I was around eleven or twelve to help with the same issue your DD is having and I never had build up after that. It doesn't sound like dandruff, but maybe give that Neutrogena T-gel stuff a shot if you don't have luck with tea tree oil (which you can find at Sally's for a reasonable price that's of very good quality).

It happens to boys too...I always thought that it had more to do with hormones changing than anything else. Once they got through the voice changing part, it stopped. 

I also had a kid that was the single worse hair washer I have ever seen. He could "wash" his hair and get out of the shower with a greasier head than he had getting in. There was no amount of gentle (and sometimes, stellar mom that I am, not so gentle) guidance that made a difference. It was a trip to a stylist, a really cute, young, rather boobilicious stylist that finally made an impact. When I called to make the appointment, I had a discrete word with her about teaching him how to wash his hair. Apparently, it is not uncommon, as she knew right away what I meant. 

Maybe an appointment with a stylist would help? Hearing any thing from someone other than mom seems to get pre-teens and teens to listen with a more open opinion.

I used to fill a deep basin with cool water and about a cup of apple cider vinegar. Then bend over at the waist and soak my head in the vinegar solution for a minute or so. It gets residues out of your hair, cleans the scalp, and leaves hair shiny and soft. Worth a try.

RST

If all of the above does not work and she had a sort of waxy build up, especially around the crown, it is most definitely a hormonal over production of sebum. I changed my contraceptives last fall and no matter what I did, my hair was oily and waxy at the crown and in the back. After much research, I used a hot oil treatment. Its equivalent to using a makeup remover to get off caked on mascara. I mixed a little olive oil and coconut oil, warmed them slightly in the microwave and dumped it on my head, massaged into the scalp and combed through. I left it on for about 30 minutes. After I shampooed twice and conditioned as normal, it was the cleanest my hair had been in 2 months.

Just make sure the shower is cleaned out thoroughly afterward. Our drain is slow and I didn't realize how much oily residue was left and DH nearly killed himself when he got in it later. Oops.

Maybe her stylist can talk to her if you give her a heads up? Also make sure that it is just buildup and not a form or psoriasis or anything. 

I have very thick hair. DH used to have very thick hair. DD has very thick hair and it is long. Used to be very long now it is just about 4 inches below her shoulders. She use to have issues with her hair not smelling clean and looking greasy or matted even when she did shampoo it. No amount of 'maybe you should …" was accepted she just got mad if anyone mentioned it. Then one day her stylist calmly explained to her how to clean her thick hair, She just said she noticed some buildup and then she told DD what to do about it. 

Shampoo twice. Rinse very well each time with a hand held shower head if possible. 2 times a week with a clarifying shampoo. Use conditioner, comb conditioner thru in the shower. Really clean your scalp. Then again rinse well while still combing it thru. Then one last thorough cool rinse with the hand held shower head. 

I could have said this or that until I was blue in the face and DD would not have listened to me. But DD has a young 20 something stylist with long hair. So it was like a friendly chat, with an 'expert' who actually knows what she's talking about.:eyeroll:  Because as mom, I can tell you I certainly do not know what I am talking about on any subject, if you ask my teens.