Caring for a black child's hair can be a challenge if you are a white parent and haven't had experience in the coarse and curly hair structure indigenous to African Americans. Parents who adopt black or biracial children often have to reschool themselves in hair care and styling to make sure that they care for the needs of their child's hair. Black hair is extremely delicate and doesn't behave or react the same way as the hair of a Caucasian child; you'll need to use trial and error to decide what works best for your child.
Step 1
Wash your child's hair once or twice per week only. Black hair is notoriously dry, so washing it too frequently can rob it of its natural oils. When you shampoo, choose a product that is free of sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS, recommends the University of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Child Welfare Training Program. SLS, which is commonly used as a detergent in most shampoos, strips the hair of oils, leaving it dry and susceptible to damage.
Step 2
Choose a conditioner that hydrates the hair after each shampooing. Look for a conditioner specifically made for children of color or one that is made for dry hair. When conditioning the hair, start at the ends. Pour a quarter-sized dollop in your hand, and work it through the ends, making your way to the roots of the hair. Leave on for two minutes before rinsing off. A leave-in conditioner is also helpful after your child dries off and has damp hair.
Step 3
Oil the hair daily to keep it soft and the scalp moisturized. Ranbowkids.com recommends using a herbal oil, but you can try almond or coconut oil as well. Apply a pea-sized amount to the scalp each day to ward off dryness, itchiness and flakes. Work the oil over the scalp, pulling it down into the hair to provide extra hydration between shampooings.
Step 4
Style your child's hair carefully. Because black children don't need to wash their hair daily, hairstyles that hold the hair firmly in place for several days are ideal. Use a wide-tooth comb, suggests adopting.org, to comb out the hair and divide it into 2- or 3-inch sections. Wind each section into a small bun, and secure it with a thin elastic. You should never chemically relax a child's hair, as it can burn the scalp and damage the hair. Instead, look for alternative styling ideas that allow your child's natural hair and texture to shine through.
Things You'll Need
- Clarifying shampoo
- Conditioner
- Oil
- Wide-tooth comb
- Hair elastics
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