Grooming Your Child’s Natural Hair

When it comes to the hair of children, I have some strong beliefs based on my own personal experience and my belief that every child deserves to have healthy hair.   In the May 2010 issue of Ebony Magazine, I give advice on some of the basics for insuring that your child’s hair grows healthy and beautiful naturally.  Some of my basic protocols for a child’s hair are as follows:

• Use a quality plastic wide tooth comb to comb through your child’s hair.  A wide tooth comb will prevent snagging the hair.
• Do not shampoo the hair more  than once a week unless the child is swimming in salt or chlorine water
• Always use conditioner following each shampoo.
• After a shampoo part the hair in large sections and twist or braid it for better manageability before the hair dries
• Use a light natural oil, such as Anu Essentials hair oils to moisturize the hair and scalp
• Do not use chemical straighteners on the hair of any child under 15 years of age – preferably not at all
• Avoid using extensions on children under 15 years of age
• Tell your child that their hair is naturally beautiful and demonstrate this positive idea to them via your own hair choices

I have often taken the liberty of handing out  my business cards to white adoptive parents of black children.  Most recently,  images of Khamit Kinks Kiddy Styles were used to familiarize adoptive parents with hair choices for their adoptive children, by The Cradle Adoptive services in Evanston, IL.

For more information check out our the May 2010 issue of Ebony Magazine, our feature is on page 51.  And please pass them information on to anyone you know is trying to figure out their child’s naturally kinky hair.

Are you having a difficult time with your child’s hair?  If so, remember to Ask Anu.  And let us know your thoughts.