How Do I Straighten A Child's Hair?

Hair relaxers seem appealing because they make tightly curled hair easier to manage. However, the decision to put a relaxer in your child's hair shouldn't be made lightly. According to the journal "Archives of Otolaryngology," young children have been admitted to hospital with throat burns after ingesting hair relaxers. These products contain harsh chemicals, so keep several key considerations in mind if you're considering straightening your child's hair.

Age

The first step in relaxing your child's hair is to make sure she's at the right age. A good rule of thumb is to wait until your child is 12 or 13 years old. At this age, your child's scalp is a less delicate --- although it's still delicate --- compared to when she's younger. Your child should also be at an age where she's able to help take care of her hair as hair relaxers weaken hair and make it drier and easier to break.

Product Choice

Although children's relaxers or "kiddie perms" are formulated to be less harsh than adult perms, they can still damage your child's scalp and hair, warns Williams. Keep this in mind so you're not fooled into thinking it's okay to relax your child's hair at a younger age. Even at age 12, you should still use a kiddie perm, advises Deborah R. Lilly, author of "Wavy, Curly, Kinky."

Preparation

Don't relax your child's hair without warning. Seventy-two to 48 hours before the big day, avoid brushing the scalp or scraping the scalp with a comb as irritated scalp is more likely to burn. Also, warn your child not to scratch her scalp beforehand as well. Lilly recommends checking your child's scalp for redness, cuts or sores before applying the relaxer.

Protection

Applying a protective gel to your child's scalp is essential before straightening her hair. Kiddie perm or relaxer kits usually contain a pre-relaxer gel or cream you can use, states Lilly. However, you can also use petroleum jelly. Apply it around your child's hair line and along her ears. Part your child's hair --- without scratching the scalp with the combo --- and apply a thin film of the gel throughout the scalp.

Technique

Always follow the instructions on the box precisely. If it's the first time you're straightening your child's hair, apply the relaxer from the root to the tips. Do not let the relaxer touch the scalp during the process and don't exceed the recommended application time. If you're doing a "touch-up," apply relaxer to new hair growth only; never apply it to previously relaxed hair. Shampoo and rinse the hair thoroughly and apply a moisturizing conditioner afterward to help restore moisture stripped away during the relaxation process. Do not straighten your child's hair again for another six to eight weeks.