Caring for a black child's hair may seem difficult in the beginning. The coiled, highly textured hair that many black children have can be prone to breakage and dryness, but that does not mean the hair is unmanageable. Black children's hair is very fragile and sensitive, so protecting, moisturizing and strengthening hair are the most important things to remember when caring for it.
Protecting Hair
Because black children often have highly textured hair that is especially prone to breakage, their hair needs to be protected from stress, damage and harsh treatment. The old adage, "out of sight, out of mind" rings true when it comes to hair care for black children. Kids may be tempted to constantly fiddle with their hair when it's in styles that allow for easy access. Twirling and pulling the hair will cause breakage and split ends, so the website Daily Glow recommends that you try to keep highly textured hair in simple, kid-friendly protective styles like braids, buns or twists.
Moisturize Hair
Dry hair is a common problem for black children. Hair dryness can be a result of chemical treatments, inadequate moisturization, harsh shampoos or hair styles that don't protect the ends of the hair. A black child's hair should always be conditioned after shampooing. According to Daily Glow, conditioners can be used in place of children's shampoo because they gently cleanse and deep condition the hair without stripping it of necessary oil. Apply leave-in conditioners or a thick cream like shea butter to the child's hair after cleansing for extra moisturization.
Strengthen
According to author Cathy Howse, strengthening hair treatments will help balance out moisturization and prevent breakage. Black children may benefit most from regular light protein treatments that can be done at home. Mayonnaise is an effective, inexpensive home hair strengthening treatment that's ideal for active children. Simply apply 3 tbsp. of mayonnaise to the ends of the child's hair and cover the hair with a plastic shower cap. The mayonnaise can be rinsed away with a water-based conditioner after 15 to 30 minutes. A light hair oil can be gently combed through the hair after the mayonnaise treatment. This homemade hair strengthening treatment is safe for a black child's sensitive hair and scalp.
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