Living in Philadelphia I am exposed to people from all walks of life. As a hairstylist, I often get calls and emails from potential clients about proper hair care for children, especially children who have different textures of hair than their parents.
Being biracial myself, one of the biggest challenges my mother faced was understanding that styling and caring for my hair was not a luxury, it was a necessity. Learning how to maintain your child’s natural hair can be challenging as well as intimidating, but there are a few MUSTs that parents should follow to maintain a healthy hair routine:
DAILY: Water is your friend! Adding conditioner to water in a spray bottle is the perfect way to refresh curls after sleeping. Try your favorite conditioner or our personal pick is “Itsa10” leave in. Pro tip: adding aloe vera gives an extra hydrating boost and is very inexpensive.
WEEKLY: Cleanse & Condition. Keep in mind curly hair needs to be properly detangled. I recommend not using a shampoo, but cleansing with a conditioner instead. This gets rid of any dirt and build up without stripping the hair of its natural oils. I recommend SheaMoisture Coconut and Hibiscus co-wash. Be sure to thoroughly comb the hair while the conditioner is in with a wide tooth comb. Follow this with a good leave-in conditioner.
MONTHLY: Check in with your salon professional. Trims and treatments are important to maintain the health of your child’s hair. Monthly visits may not always include both, and may become less frequent as you get comfortable in your healthy hair care routine.
For my mom, the salon experience was for special occasions, and she could easily wash and minimally style my hair herself. However, that may not be the case for you and your child.
Healthy hair and proper maintenance made me feel confident and beautiful. It taught me how to look and feel my best in the name of health. Taking the time to recognize this cultural difference and embrace it is important and will lead to a healthy self-esteem for your child.
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I have 3 boys under 5 with more hair than I do 🙂 Ive had the hardest time with managing there hair care. Your tip about day after curls was a lightbulb moment. Thanks!
Aww I am so happy to hear that this has helped you with managing your boys hair! Thank you for your comment Amber
I have a biracial daughter, her hair is curly, but gets very coarse and dry at the back when she sleeps. Is there anything I can do to prevent this?
Hi Coelien,
Here are a few tips to help prevent dryness and coarseness, especially at the back:
Hydration: Ensure her hair is well-hydrated by using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner suitable for curly hair. Look for products with natural oils like coconut or argan oil.
Nighttime Routine: Before she sleeps, you can protect her hair by using a satin or silk pillowcase. Alternatively, you can have her wear a satin or silk scarf or use a satin or silk bonnet to prevent friction and moisture loss.
Deep Conditioning: Incorporate a deep conditioning treatment into her hair care routine at least once a week. This helps to nourish and hydrate her curls deeply.
Leave-In Conditioner: Use a leave-in conditioner to keep her hair moisturized throughout the day, focusing on the ends and the back where dryness is a concern.
Detangling: Use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to detangle her hair gently, starting from the tips and working your way up to the roots. This can help prevent breakage and reduce stress on the hair.
Trimming: Regular trims can help maintain the health of her hair and prevent split ends.
Remember, consistency is key when it comes to hair care. Adjust these tips based on her specific hair needs, and you’ll likely see improvements in the texture and moisture levels of her hair.