Sensory Friendly Hair Hacks

Sensory-Friendly Hair & Hygiene Tips That Actually Work

As both a licensed cosmetologist and a mom of an autistic daughter, I’ve had to completely rethink how I approach hair and hygiene routines. Emma has sensory sensitivities, especially around her head and face. Getting her hair brushed, washed, or even touched hasn’t always been easy.

Over time (and a lot of trial and error), I’ve learned what actually works for her. I’m sharing those tips here in case they help another parent out there feel more seen, more supported, and a little less alone.

1. Haircuts That Work for Us

Emma doesn’t love brushing, touching, or styling her hair, so we keep it cute and simple:

• Bangs: Help keep hair out of her face without clips or tension.
• Shoulder-Length Cuts: Long enough to feel feminine, short enough to avoid knots.
• Pixie Cuts & Bobs: Low-maintenance, easy to style, and she enjoys them!

2. Rinse-Free Products = Our Sensory Backup Plan

There are weeks when water on her head just isn’t going to happen, and that’s okay. These are the rinse-free lifesavers that help us stay clean without the sensory overload:

• Rinse-Free Shampoo & Conditioner – Gentle, no fuss, and perfect for wash-resistance days.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Mustela Rinse-Free Body Wash (Cleansing Water or Stelatopia) – A gentle French brand made for sensitive skin. It’s been a game-changer for body wash on days when she’s overstimulated.
  
  
  
  
  

Tip: Sometimes Emma will let me use these products if she can “help” by holding the bottle or applying it herself. It makes the whole process feel less forced.

3. Rinsing Hair Without Tears (Or Meltdowns)

This is one of the hardest parts of hair care, but here’s how we’ve made it manageable:

• We use a character cup with one of her favorite designs.
• I start at the back of her head where sensation is less intense and tangling is common.
• I narrate the process: “Okay, we’re going to rinse the back now. One, two, three…”

For the front of her head:

• I ask her to look up and close her eyes (she doesn’t always, but we practice).
• We do three rinses, each with a countdown:
  • “Here comes cup one! One, two, three!” (silly voices help)
  • “Okay, cup two! You’re doing great!”
  • “Last one—cup three! One, two, three!”
• Then I hand her a dry towel to wipe her face and say, “All done! All done! All done!”

Alternative Tip: If pours are too much, try a wet rag method; just wipe over the scalp until the shampoo is gone. This worked really well for us when Emma was a baby.

4. Count Everything

Counting is Emma’s comfort language. She finds peace in numbers, so we count everything:

• Twenty hairbrush strokes in the morning.
• Three rinses at bath time.
• Bath toys, steps, sprays—it all becomes a rhythm she can follow.

5. Give Them Choices (It Changes Everything)

If I had to give just one tip to other parents: give choices. Letting Emma have autonomy drastically reduces meltdowns and helps her feel safe. Here's how we build choices into routine:

• Two pajamas to choose from before the bath.
• Two soaps to smell and select.
• Different shampoos—I have a few as a stylist, so she picks which one we use.
• Body sprays or lotions after bath or in the morning.
• Her own bath cup with her preferred drink or water.

Even small choices help teach bodily autonomy and build confidence. I also ask if she wants conditioner, her answer is always “no,” which is perfectly fine!

6. Shower Over Bath (But Go With the Flow)

Emma prefers showers most of the time, so that’s what we do. To make it easier:

• We bring in her tablet in a waterproof mount or stand (https://amzn.to/3UkzJOy).
• I place a water or drink cup nearby for comfort and hydration.

If she’s not into showers that day, I pivot. Flexibility always wins over forcing something through.

7. Diaper Cream Hack for Sensory Kids

If your child is still in diapers and struggles with being touched in sensitive areas, here’s what’s worked for us:

Apply diaper rash cream directly to the diaper instead of the skin.

This avoids unwanted touch while still protecting and soothing the skin. It made a huge difference in reducing stress during sensitive moments.

8. Praise Is Everything

Whether the routine went smoothly or was filled with pauses, I always end with encouragement:

• “You did such a good job.”
• “I’m proud of you.”
• “Thank you for letting me help.”

Praise builds trust and when you’re navigating sensory sensitivity, trust is everything.

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I hope this post helps you feel seen and supported. Every child is different, but you know your child best. These tips came from real, messy, beautiful trial and error, and they’ve worked for us.

Rinse-free shampoos, silly counting, choice-based routines, they all add up to something powerful: helping our kids feel safe in their bodies.

If you'd like a free printable cheat sheet of these tips or want to shop the products we've used with affiliate links, feel free to leave a comment or subscribe to our newsletter.

You’re doing an amazing job. And you're not alone.

With gentle care, 

Kelli