All the hair follicles a person will have are completely formed by birth, according to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery. While a number of medical conditions can affect continued hair growth, behavior and hair care practices primarily influence a child's ability to grow long, healthy hair. Kids who want to grow long hair need to develop a number of healthy hair habits.
Causes
Various types of hair care practices can damage long hair and should be avoided, according to Saint Xavier University. Chemicals used to color, add curl or straighten hair damage the hair strands and cause them to break. Kids should brush their hair less rather than more often to prevent trauma and breakage.
Considerations
Normal human hair growth is about 1/2 inch per month. Since hair primarily is made up of protein, kids should eat a balanced diet that includes at least 25 to 30 percent protein. Children can learn from their parents the importance of eating healthily, because a poor diet may hinder their ability to grow long hair, according to Saint Xavier University.
Cleansing Care
Kids should shampoo with a mild product and use conditioner to keep their hair strong and protect it from the elements as it grows. According to the Nemours Foundation, children need to lather their hair gently during washing and pat excess water off their heads when finished. Kids should let their hair air-dry and avoid vigorous rubbing with towels or using hairdryers as much as possible to allow the body's natural oils to coat each strand. Whenever possible, kids should wait until hair is dry before styling or brushing.
Prevention/Solution
Current fads often tempt kids to follow unhealthy hair practices. Hair clips, especially those with metal edges, break and damage long hair and cause split ends. While an occasional ponytail won't damage hair, according to the Nemours Foundation, if kids wear styles that call for tight pulling every day, the continued stress can lead to hair loss. Hairstyles that put stress on the hair such as cornrows and ponytails can pull out the hair and prevent it from growing longer. According to the American Hair Loss Association, kids should avoid hair twirling or hair pulling that interferes with long hair growth.
Warning
When children follow a healthy hair care routine and they still lose hair or find their growth is stunted, it may be due to a medical issue. A pediatrician may take blood samples and a family history to find the cause. Scalp disorders such as ringworm may be apparent and easily treated. Other, more difficult to diagnose diseases such as alopecia and effluvian may require psychological tests or behavior monitoring over a period time to figure out why a child's hair is not growing, according to the American Hair Loss Association.
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