We have previously treated the subject of shampooing and caring for your mixed race child's hair. In this article we are going to treat daily care and products to use or most importantly products to avoid.
So you have shampooed, braided and let air dry your child's hair. If you can leave the braids in your child's hair it is easier, however if your child is getting older, she or he might want to look cool or have left their hair loose.
First of all for healthy hair stay away from any products with petroleum, petrolatum, mineral oils and alcohol such as isopropyl alcohol and anything ending with an 'ol' . These products are notorious for drying out curly/coiled hair.
Second even if you are tempted do not use blow dryers on your child's naked, curls protect them from excess heat, sun and chlorine. When they go swimming whether in the sea or in a swimming pool braid the hair one or two braids should be enough and once finished always deep condition. Avoid getting sand in the hair, that's a nightmare!
Never, ever, ever comb mixed race hair when dry (types 3 and 4 hair), only comb during the conditioning treatment or under the shower or when the hair is very wet immediately after rinsing, with a wide toothed comb.
Your mixed race child's hair just like coiled, curly, African descent hair is EXTREMELY DRY, the holy grail is moisture. The more you moisturise the healthier the hair will be, the more pleasure you will have to deal with your mixed race child's hair, the less complaints or cries will come from her/him, you will surprise yourself to be looking forward to what will become loving, bonding experience for you both. It is the secret to an easier life both for you and for your child. Moisturising does not stop with the weekly/bi-weekly wash (co-wash).
To save time it is best to groom your child's hair, in the evening. As part of the evening routine, when with a small dollop of moisturising cream again you will find the right amount to use with practice, Use a spray put a bit of conditioner and add some water to dilute the product, the mixture shouldn't be too light. If your child's is type 2/3a hair you can dilute it more than if the the hair is type 3b, 3c and types 4 hair will need heavier moisturising cream as well as a conditioning spray to avoid knotting (some tips on how to avoid knots).
For your child's hair to be well moisturised and healthy use the products every night, and braid the hair to keep the moisture until the morning. You can part the hair into four sections and one by one moisturise and braid. To keep the braids do not use bands or barettes that will tear the hair. Be gentle and use bobbles, scrunchies or bands covered with woven fabric (no metal).
You can also cut part of your old but clean tight to use as scruchies, nylon is very gentle with the hair and doesn't tear it.
Use NATURAL! products and oils, such as coconut oil, castor oil, carrot oil.
Do not straighten/relax/texturize the naturally curly hair of your mixed race child's hair. It might be tempting but only troubles lie ahead if you go down that route. The effect may last all their lives, I'm talking about dry scalp and excessive dandruffs which is the direct result of using these products, especially when you start too young.
Grooming textured and curly hair is no longer difficult nowadays. Learning how to maintain and groom your child's an enriching experience which in turn will also show your child how unique and gorgeous he or she is, and it will help your child personality by promoting self-esteem, confidence and a sense of pride in their appearance and in who they are.
I highly recommend the book "Curly Girl" by Lorraine Massey
If you are in the UK or in Europe (the postage is not expensive), try Amazon UK
If you are in the US or Canada, try Amazon.com
Si vous etes en France, allez sur Amazon.fr
So you have shampooed, braided and let air dry your child's hair. If you can leave the braids in your child's hair it is easier, however if your child is getting older, she or he might want to look cool or have left their hair loose.
First of all for healthy hair stay away from any products with petroleum, petrolatum, mineral oils and alcohol such as isopropyl alcohol and anything ending with an 'ol' . These products are notorious for drying out curly/coiled hair.
Second even if you are tempted do not use blow dryers on your child's naked, curls protect them from excess heat, sun and chlorine. When they go swimming whether in the sea or in a swimming pool braid the hair one or two braids should be enough and once finished always deep condition. Avoid getting sand in the hair, that's a nightmare!
Never, ever, ever comb mixed race hair when dry (types 3 and 4 hair), only comb during the conditioning treatment or under the shower or when the hair is very wet immediately after rinsing, with a wide toothed comb.
Your mixed race child's hair just like coiled, curly, African descent hair is EXTREMELY DRY, the holy grail is moisture. The more you moisturise the healthier the hair will be, the more pleasure you will have to deal with your mixed race child's hair, the less complaints or cries will come from her/him, you will surprise yourself to be looking forward to what will become loving, bonding experience for you both. It is the secret to an easier life both for you and for your child. Moisturising does not stop with the weekly/bi-weekly wash (co-wash).
To save time it is best to groom your child's hair, in the evening. As part of the evening routine, when with a small dollop of moisturising cream again you will find the right amount to use with practice, Use a spray put a bit of conditioner and add some water to dilute the product, the mixture shouldn't be too light. If your child's is type 2/3a hair you can dilute it more than if the the hair is type 3b, 3c and types 4 hair will need heavier moisturising cream as well as a conditioning spray to avoid knotting (some tips on how to avoid knots).
For your child's hair to be well moisturised and healthy use the products every night, and braid the hair to keep the moisture until the morning. You can part the hair into four sections and one by one moisturise and braid. To keep the braids do not use bands or barettes that will tear the hair. Be gentle and use bobbles, scrunchies or bands covered with woven fabric (no metal).
You can also cut part of your old but clean tight to use as scruchies, nylon is very gentle with the hair and doesn't tear it.
Use NATURAL! products and oils, such as coconut oil, castor oil, carrot oil.
Do not straighten/relax/texturize the naturally curly hair of your mixed race child's hair. It might be tempting but only troubles lie ahead if you go down that route. The effect may last all their lives, I'm talking about dry scalp and excessive dandruffs which is the direct result of using these products, especially when you start too young.
Grooming textured and curly hair is no longer difficult nowadays. Learning how to maintain and groom your child's an enriching experience which in turn will also show your child how unique and gorgeous he or she is, and it will help your child personality by promoting self-esteem, confidence and a sense of pride in their appearance and in who they are.
I highly recommend the book "Curly Girl" by Lorraine Massey
If you are in the UK or in Europe (the postage is not expensive), try Amazon UK
If you are in the US or Canada, try Amazon.com
Si vous etes en France, allez sur Amazon.fr
