Baby & Toddler Hair Care & Styling

As your baby grows into a toddler, they are developing in many new ways. They are becoming more active and developing their own personalities. With this new exploration comes the need for an easy hair care routine to manage the tangles and knots.

Step-by-Step Toddler Hair Care:

Step 1: Cleanse using JOHNSON'S^® No More Tangles™ Kids Shampoo or JOHNSON’S^® Shiny Drops Kids Shampoo

Step 2: Condition using JOHNSON'S^® No More Tangles™ Kids Conditioner or JOHNSON’S^® Shiny Drops Kids Conditioner

Step 3: Style using a wide tooth comb or brush and JOHNSON'S^® No More Tangles™ Kids Conditioner Spray or JOHNSON’S^® Shiny Drops Kids Conditioner Spray.

Make It Fun

While most toddlers will never love having their hair washed, do your best to make it as painless as possible. Sing a song together while you're doing it. Tell your little one that you're giving them a scalp massage as you lather the shampoo. Let them play with a toy while you are doing it. Distraction is key.

Comb Hair When Wet

As soon as you're done washing and conditioning their hair, comb it with a wide-tooth comb and get the little knots out before they become big knots. Never use a brush on wet hair. To help with manageability for thin and straight or thick and curly hair, use JOHNSON’S^® No More Tangles™ Kids Conditioner Spray or JOHNSON’S^® Shiny Drops Kids Conditioner Spray.

Get the Right Hair Cut

With the right haircut, your toddler's hair should be relatively easy to care for. If your child has curly hair, you may want their hair all one length with no bangs. If your child has very thick or wavy hair, a layered haircut can help cut back the tangles. Talk to a hairdresser about your options.

Protect Your Child’s Eyes

No toddler likes to get anything in their eyes, so consider putting a visor on their forehead or rinsing their hair while they are leaning back towards you so that you can avoid getting water in their face.

And a newborn’s eyes are still developing. Compared to adults, they blink less often, tear less and it takes time for the blink reflex to develop, making it easier for an unwanted substance to get into the eyes and cause irritation.

For worry-free bathtime, try JOHNSON’S^® Baby Shampoo with our NO MORE TEARS^® formula — developed for babies and young children, it is mild to the scalp and as gentle to eyes as pure water.

Protect Against Frizz and Static Cling

If your toddler has curly hair, there's a good chance that it may become wild or unruly in rainy or humid weather. And straight hair can stick upwards or outwards in cold, dry weather. When the weather dictates, put some gel or JOHNSON’S^® No More Tangles™ Kids Conditioner Spray or JOHNSON’S^® Shiny Drops Kids Conditioner Spray in your toddler's hair to keep it under control. Try styling your toddler's hair by tying it up, for example.

Watch Out for Knots

Thick and curly hair can sometimes tangle very easily. For easy combing and detangling, consider using a 2-in-1 shampoo that provides the convenience of shampooing and conditioning in one easy step. Try JOHNSON’S^® 2 in 1 Shampoo to help unlock knots and tangles. Also, it's a good idea to wash hair in the direction that it falls.

For extra detangling or hard to manage hair, you can use a detangling spray like JOHNSON'S^® No More Tangles™ Kids Conditioner Spray or JOHNSON’S^® Shiny Drops Kids Conditioner Spray. It can be used on wet or dry hair, so you can apply it and comb your toddler's hair even on days when you are not washing it. This will help prevent knots before they start.

Brush from the ends of the hair first, moving upward toward the scalp.

Protect long hair overnight — never leave clips in, do keep hair tied up and if it's long enough, you could plait it before sleep.

Only Use Gentle Products

Baby and toddler hair is very different from adult hair, and it needs different products to stay clean and healthy. To care for your child's hair, it is important to use gentle products with mild ingredients formulated especially for them. Use a shampoo that's enriched with conditioners for the delicate nature of your baby's hair.

Compliment your toddler on their appearance and use positive reinforcement to help promote grooming routines. With proper hair care, you can help eliminate tangles and make combing easier for the both of you.