How to Care for Your Mixed or Biracial Child's Hair

Biracial hair requires special care.

If you aren't used to styling coarse, curly hair, then the overall care of this hair type is probably a foreign concept. Caring for your biracial child's hair can be a challenge unless you take the time to learn how to care for it properly. Your child should love her hair and take pleasure in styling it. It's quite possible to create defined, beautiful curls that your child can be proud to show off.

Things You'll Need

• Moisturizing shampoo
• Conditioner
• Leave-in conditioner
• Butter Treatment
• Hair gloss
• Wide toothed comb
• Hair clips
• Hair bands with plastic balls

Instructions

1. Wash the hair one to two times a week with specialized shampoo and conditioner. Biracial hair tends to be more dry and will need more moisture. Frequent washing will dry out your child's hair more. Look for shampoo and conditioner made especially for curly hair. Most stores carry a line products that have oil enriching elements in them. Two products that may interest you include "Mixed Chicks" and "Renpure Organics."

2. Use a leave-in conditioner on your child's hair. Not only will this help seal in moisture, it will make combing easier. A butter treatment or gloss finish leave-in conditioner will help keep frizz under control. Many salons carry a butter treatment and gloss that may prove useful. The butter treatment moisturizes hair while the gloss helps prevent frizz.

3. Comb your child's hair with either a wide toothed comb or a pick. Avoid using fine toothed combs because they will tend to get horribly tangled in your child's hair. It's best to comb your child's hair when it is wet and has a detangling product on it, such as a leave-in conditioner.

4. Use clips, hair bows or scrunchies when putting your child's hair up. Avoid using elastic bands. These will break your child's hair off. The ponytail holders that have the plastic balls to aid in closure are a good pick. These tend to be easier on biracial hair.

5. Braid your child's hair to keep it out of the way during sports or other physical activities. This prevents frizzes as well as keeps your child's hair protected from the elements.

References

• Intermix: Hair Need Not be a Nightmare