African American hair requires special care because it is dry, kinky and fragile. 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.
Washing
African American hair dries out easily. Because of this, you should only shampoo your child's hair every 7 to 10 days, according to the University of Pittsburgh. For a child that has curly or thick hair, you can choose a section the hair off when washing it to minimize tangling. Additionally, find a shampoo that doesn't contain lauryl sulfate or laureth sulfate as these ingredients strip natural oils off the hair, which can lead to breakage.
Combing
When 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, states Adoption.com.
Moisturize
Daily 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. You should also condition the hair with a leave in conditioner prior to styling the hair. Once per month, use a heat activated deep conditioner to keep her locks looking lovely. Choose products that contain natural oils like jojoba, coconut or avocado oil instead of products that contain petrolatum.
Styling
Avoid 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 Relaxers
Perms 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 the virgin hair or 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.
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