Hair needs extra care in the summer time, especially for kids. When school starts again, their hair gets exposed to heat, dust, and dampness more. So, taking care of their hair becomes super important.
Your kid’s hair might be straight, wavy, or curly. Hair comes in many textures and colors too. As a parent, it’s good to know your child’s hair type so you can take care of it the right way. You also need to pick the right products for their hair.
In this article, we’ve got everything you need to know to keep your kid’s hair healthy and lively.
Hair care Tips:
1. Choose the Right Shampoo and Conditioner:
When it comes to selecting a shampoo and conditioner for your child’s hair, it’s important to choose products that are gentle and free of harsh chemicals. It is also important to keep their age factor and hair type in mind while selecting a shampoo and container for your kids. Look for products that are specifically formulated for children, and avoid products that contain sulfates, parabens, or fragrances. Kids hair are very sensitive and can be damaged due to careless handling.
2. Use a Detangler:
Tangles and knots can be a frustrating and painful experience for kids. Using a Detangler before brushing can make the process much easier, and reduce the risk of hair breakage and damage. Look for detanglers that are formulated for children and that contain ingredients like silicone, vitamins, and minerals.
3. Brush Hair Gently:
Brushing hair gently is essential for preventing damage and keeping it healthy. Use a wide-tooth comb or a brush specifically designed for children to avoid pulling or tugging on the hair. Start at the bottom of the hair and work your way up, gently de-tangling as you go.
4. Trim Regularly:
Regular haircuts can help prevent split ends and keep hair looking healthy and shiny. Regular trims can also help promote growth and maintain the overall shape and style of the hair.
5. Protect from Sun and Heat:
Just like skin, hair can be damaged by the sun and heat. Using a hat, scarf, or hair product with built-in sun protection can help prevent damage and keep hair healthy.
6. Avoid Heat Styling Tools:
Heat styling tools like flat irons, curling irons, and blow dryers can be damaging to hair, especially for children. If you do need to use these tools, be sure to use a heat protect-ant and keep the temperature low.
7. Nourish from the Inside Out:
Eating a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals can help promote hair growth and health. Make sure your child is getting plenty of iron, zinc, and vitamins A, C, and D to support healthy hair.
8. Eating Good Food for Hair
Some foods are really good for making hair healthy. Like eggs, green leaves, and fatty salmon. Also, fruits and veggies, especially orange and yellow ones, are great for hair. And foods like dark green veggies, strawberries, oranges, tomatoes, and strawberries have vitamin C, which helps stop hair from breaking.
Home Remedies for Kids Hair Care:
In addition to using the right products, there are many natural remedies that can help promote healthy hair in children. From apple cider vinegar to coconut oil, there are many ingredients found in your kitchen that can be used to nourish, hydrate, and protect your child’s hair.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse:
Apple cider vinegar is a natural clarifies that can help remove buildup and promote shine. Simply mix equal parts water and apple cider vinegar, and use as a final rinse after shampooing. Leave on for a few minutes before rinsing out thoroughly.
2. Coconut Oil:
Coconut oil is a great moisturizer that can help hydrate and protect hair. Simply warm a small amount of coconut oil and massage into the hair, focusing on the ends. Leave on for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for maximum benefits, before shampooing out.
3. Olive Oil:
Olive oil is a great moisturizer that can help hydrate and protect hair. Simply warm a small amount of olive oil and massage into the hair, focusing on the ends. Leave on for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for maximum benefits, before shampooing out.
4. Avocado Mask:
Avocado is a rich source of vitamins and minerals that can help nourish and protect hair. Simply mash up a ripe avocado and apply to the hair, leaving on for at least 30 minutes before rinsing out.
5. Lemon Juice Rinse:
Lemon juice can help remove buildup and promote shine. Simply mix a small amount of lemon juice with water, and use as a final rinse after shampooing. Leave on for a few minutes before rinsing out thoroughly.
6. Chamomile Tea Rinse:
Chamomile tea can help soothe and hydrate the scalp. Brew a strong cup of chamomile tea and use as a final rinse after shampooing. Leave on for a few minutes before rinsing out thoroughly.
Common Mistakes in Kids’ Hair Care:
Taking care of kids’ hair can be a challenge, especially if you’re new to it. While it’s natural to desire the best for your child’s hair, there are some common mistakes that parents make, that can actually harm their hair. Some of the most common mistakes parents make in kids’ hair care, and how to avoid them, include:
1. Over-brushing:
Brushing your child’s hair too much can lead to breakage and split ends. To avoid this, only brush their hair when it’s necessary, and use a wide-tooth comb to de-tangle it gently.
2. Using hot tools too often:
Frequent use of Hot tools, such as flat irons, curling wands, and hair dryers, can damage your child’s hair. To avoid this, limit the use of hot tools and let their hair air dry whenever possible.
3. Not protecting their hair:
If you’ll be spending time in the sun, pool, or ocean, be sure to protect your child’s hair. Use a hat, scarf, or swim cap to protect their hair from the sun, and use a leave-in conditioner to protect their hair from chlorine and salt water.
4. Using harsh products:
Many shampoos, conditioners, and styling products contain harsh chemicals that can damage your child’s hair. To avoid this, look for products that are sulfate-free and formulated for children’s hair.
5. Skipping trims:
Regular trims are important for maintaining the health of your child’s hair. To avoid split ends and breakage, schedule a trim every 6-8 weeks.
6. Pulling their hair too tight:
Braids, pigtails, and tight hairstyles can put a lot of strain on your child’s hair and scalp. To avoid this, opt for looser hairstyles and avoid pulling their hair too tight.
7. Not moisturizing their scalp:
A dry, itchy scalp can be uncomfortable for your child, and it can also lead to dandruff and hair loss. To avoid this, massage a gentle moisturizer into their scalp regularly.
8. Not trimming their hair regularly:
Just like grown-ups, kids also need their hair to be cut every few weeks. This helps to stop their hair from getting split ends and getting harmed.
If you’re not sure how often to cut your child’s hair, you can ask their doctor or a hair expert. They can tell you what’s best based on the kind of hair your child has.
9. Rubbing hair too hard:
When you’re getting rid of extra water from hair, don’t rub too hard. Rubbing too hard can hurt the hair and make it break.
Instead, softly press the water out and let the hair dry in the air when you can.
Don’t skip the conditioner:
Shampoo cleans hair, but conditioner is super important too. Conditioner makes hair moist and stops it from tangling and getting knots. It’s especially good for kids with curly or wavy hair. It helps stop frizz and makes hair look neat and shiny.
Teaching Your Kid How to Care for Their Hair
A lot of the things we do to make our hair look nice can actually harm it. Over time, this damage can build up and make hair unhealthy and not so good-looking. To keep hair healthy, it’s important to teach kids good habits for taking care of their hair. Dermatologists, who are skin and hair experts, give parents these tips to help kids take care of their hair:
- When making braids or ponytails, make sure they’re not too tight, and use rubber bands with covers.
- Try hairstyles that don’t need things like hot tools or chemicals.
- If you use heat on hair, make sure it’s not too hot.
- Be careful with stuff like relaxers, dyes, and other hair products. These can harm hair. The longer you wait between treatments, the better for your hair.
- After swimming, make sure to wash out pool chemicals. If your kid’s hair is normal or oily, use shampoo. If it’s very dry or African American hair, rinse well and use conditioner. Pool chemicals left in hair can damage it.
- When outside, wear a hat with a wide brim to protect your scalp and hair from the sun.
- It’s better to use a wide-tooth comb more times than a brush.
