Hair Care Tips for African American Children

OverviewAfrican-American hair requires special care

because it is dry, fragile and often curly. Properly caring for your child’s hair is important because damage to the hair follicles that results from improper care is likely to remain with the

child for life.

WashingAfrican-American hair dries out easily. Because of

this, you should only shampoo your child’s hair every seven to 10 days, according to the

University of Pittsburgh. For a child who has curly or thick hair, section the hair off when

washing it to minimize tangling. Additionally, find a shampoo that doesn’t contain lauryl sulfate or laureth sulfate; these ingredients strip natural oils from the hair and can lead to breakage.

CombingWhen you choose a comb and brush for your

child, opt for a wide-tooth comb and a boar’s hair brush. African-American hair is very fragile. Using a fine-tooth comb may snag the hair and

cause it to break.

MoisturizeDaily moisturizing is necessary for African-American hair because there isn’t enough sebum or oil produced by the

scalp to keep the hair healthy. Use a product made specifically for African-Americans once a day on your

child’s hair. Condition the hair with a leave-in conditioner before styling the hair. Once a month, use a heat

activated deep conditioner to keep her locks looking lovely. Choose products that contain natural oils such as jojoba, coconut or avocado oil instead of products that

contain petrolatum.

StylingAvoid using rubber bands when styling your child’s hair. Instead, opt for elastics or cloth covered holders. Rubber bands may cause breakage, and elastics and cloth covered

holders aren’t as likely to break the hair. If you braid or twist your child’s hair, be sure to do so all the way down the hair. Any part of the hair

that isn’t braided isn’t protected like the braided hair, and may have split ends.

Perms and RelaxersPerms and relaxers change the texture of the child’s hair. Once you begin using these on your child, you will have to keep up with treating new hair that grows after you perm the hair. These products are harsh and may burn your child’s scalp, especially if she has sensitive skin. Use caution when using these products on a child.

Resources:

http://www.rizadoafroymas.es/c107748-ninos.html

http://www.livestrong.com/article/107402-hair-care-tips-african-american/

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