How to Care for African American Children's Hair

African American hair is thicker and has a natural curl to the hair. Often when a child is very young, her hair is curly and as she grows older it may get kinky. Taking care of your child's hair is important to keep it healthy and strong. African American hair is managed better when it is kept clean and moisturized. It is very easy to manage your child's hair if you develop a regular routine and follow it carefully.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Buy a good shampoo and conditioner. Dove and Mixed Chicks are two products that are really great for this hair texture. Dove shampoo and conditioner can be found at almost any retail location, and Mixed Chicks shampoo and conditioner can be ordered on the Internet. There are many great products for African American hair. These products usually help to detangle the hair and leave it feeling soft and moisturized.

2. Wash your child's hair every week. African American hair loses too much moisture if it is washed excessively. Oil your child's scalp after washing it. Use a light hair grease such as Olive Oil, a brand that can be found in many retail stores. This grease is very light and keeps the scalp healthy. African American hair is more manageable when it has adequate moisture.

3. Condition your child's hair every week. After washing the hair, apply conditioner on the hair and let it set for about 20 minutes. The conditioner puts moisture back into the hair. It also softens the texture of the hair for easy combing. Some African American hair is very kinky after it has been washed, so using a conditioner helps to straighten out the kinks.

4. Comb your child's hair everyday to keep it from tangling too bad. You can also braid your child's hair as often as you like to keep it manageable. When a child is young, many African American's braid their child's hair to keep it together, and it often grows fast after it has been braided for long periods of time. If you choose to braid it, make sure to condition the scalp with a light grease at least twice a week. Tie your child's hair up at night with a silk cap or let him or her sleep on a satin pillow. Cotton seems to dry the hair out, and may even cause breakage over long periods of time.

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[brat011981]

on 8/10/2009 Grease is always a no-no... seriously. Products containing mineral oil and petroleum shouldn't be used on the hair, they are not moisturizers, they actually hinder and interfere with proper hair growth.