Childrens haircare
Oct 7
5 min read
As a mobile hairdresser I meet a lot of parents so I thought it’s probably about time I released another
blog especially for them.
When it comes to Children's hair, It can be a bit overwhelming for some- Especially if it is quite different to your own hair .Developing the right hair care routine early on will help with healthy hair habits over the years with your little ones.
Depending on the type of hair that your child has, and also the activities that they get up from day to day- It’s not as easy as 1,2,3 but it can be pretty easy with a little trial and error. You learn along the way.
So, let’s start with the basics- Shampoo & conditioners.
I want you to think about what type of hair your child has. Is it curly? straight? fine?dry? Is your child still a baby or is he/she now a little older and attending preschool/school? The activities that your child has will determine how often you will need to wash their hair. Lets not forget, that the weather will also play a part with their hair, as much as it does ours.
More frequent washing will be needed during windy, sunny or wet periods.
Put it this way, you want to wash their hair as little as possible. Usually once – twice a week for toddlers and just once a week for babies.
Alter your frequency if you notice that the hair and/or scalp seems oily. Add an additional shampoo per week until the oiliness is gone.
Try to prolong your shampoos as long as possible if you notice dullness, shedding or dryness.
If your child has very curly/afro or dry hair, It should be shampooed every 7 to 10 days. If they’ve been swimming or heavily sweating, rinse the hair with water (no shampoo) and condition the mid to ends of the hair.
Choosing the right shampoo
Small childrens hair really doesn’t need chemicals so organic & Vegan options are always my top recommendations. A lot of adult shampoos contain chemicals called anionics which is what creates the lather when you wash your hair, but this can be very drying to childrens hair and scalp.
If your child has dry hair, you should look for a moisturizing shampoo.
If your child has fine or thin hair, try a lightweight shampoo that will not weigh the hair down.
If you think your child has a scalp condition such as psoriasis, dermatitis, or dandruff, consult a dermatologist about the best shampoo. Always check the label.
Shampooing the hair:
Make sure your childs hair is thoroughly wet before applying any shampoo.
Use a 2p sized amount of shampoo (a little more for thick hair) and gently massage into your child's scalp.
Using the ball of your fingertips, massage the scalp gently.
If the child has tight curly tresses or very fine hair, do not gather the hair on top of the child's head. This will cause the hair to tangle and as we all know, that’s not much fun to get out for either you or your child. De-tangling can often result in breakage of the hair too.
Make sure you always rinse well. An itchy or flaky scalp may be a sign that soap suds have been left present.
So, which conditioner do you choose?
Regular conditioners:
These are good for normal or oily hair as the conditioner is only on the hair for a short time before rinsing off. This gives added softness and shine but does not enter the hairs follicles to add moisture.
Leave-in conditioners:
These are brilliant for dry, curly or Afro hair. They create a barrier on the hair which not only protects the hair from the elements but also keeps any frizz at bay. Leave in conditioners are also fantastic for getting a comb through those tangles after washing. A life saver for kids with long, fine hair.
Deep conditioners:
These are great for very dry hair and can be used after every shampoo or once a month depending on how dry the hair is.
Remember to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure that the roots are never conditioned. Even if you think the scalp looks dry, conditioner is not the answer to moisturising the scalp. Apply enough to cover the mid to ends of the hair. You will need to adjust the quantity depending on the thickness of the hair. Adding conditioner to the scalp can cause the PH levels to flucturate and cause other problems.
For children with Afro, curly hair, or dry hair, the hair should always be conditioned after washing- Especially so during the winter months when the elements and heat fluctautions with central heating all assist in drying out the hair.
Styling:
Always avoid tight hairstyles.
Your child’s hair is very delicate so pulling a ponytail too tight or plaiting too tightly can cause the hairs to fall out at the root.
Use heat sparingly.
Heat can be used on a child’s hair but make sure you use a heat protection spray and separate the hair into sections before blow drying it. You do not want to cause heat damage.
I recommend choosing a childrens hairdryer for this as the heat settings are lower.
Avoid all harsh chemicals.
Chemicals can be found in almost everything, do check the labels of your products first and only use styling products that are specially formulated for children.
Stay away from the straighteners.
These really are too harsh and too hot for children’s hair. A paddle brush and hairdryer will do the same job nicely.
Taming the cowslick.
If your child has a cowslick, make sure this area of the head is always brushed downwards when the hair is still wet. Always squeeze water out of the hair rather than rubbing with a towel and add a tiny bit of leave in conditioner to the section when dry. This will help control its direction.
A cowslick can be trained to go the 'other way' over time and you can do this by sweeping the hairs in the opposite direction and placing a bobby pin here before bed. I do not recommend using hairsprays on childrens hair as this can cause breakage. The heat from their head is all thats needed here.
So, some more handy tricks you might want to know
Brushing without tears
If your childs hair tangles easily and is a nightmare to comb after washing, simply apply a leave in conditioner to the ends and use a tangle teaser or a wide toothed comb and start brushing through from the bottom, working upwards towards the roots.
To remove gum or stickyness from hair
Soak in Coca Cola for 5 minutes and the gum will fall away. You can also use peanut butter or any vegetable oils for this. Simply soak the area for 5 minutes and brush through gently.
To remove glue from hair
You can use conditioner or vegetable oils for this.
Simply wet the hair and apply to the area. Leave for 20 minutes and then comb through
Panic over!
As always, my advice is always free for my clients. If you have any questions, please ask .
Thank you for reading- Shelley-Marie
Mobile hairdresser - Sheffield www.freespirithair.co.uk
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