Solving Common Problems with Your Childs Hair

 

Dealing with your child’s hair can be one of the most fun things you do all day long.  The tangles, the gum, that stuck rubber band that you knew you shouldn’t have used and is now wrapped around a wad of hair.  Messy hair is a real treat but with these suggestions below from experts, and a mom who’s had to find out the answers you can have an easier time too.

 

Getting Tangles Out:

 

Minutes can seem like hours when you have to sit down and get tangles out of your child’s hair.  In order to get tangles out you will need the right tools: a wide toothed comb, a conditioning shampoo, and either a spray detangler, leave in conditioner, or a regular conditioner.

 

Shampoo First:

 

What I have found works best for us is after I have washed my daughters hair I slather on the protein conditioner in the bath and comb through it from the bottom to the top with a wide toothed comb before she rinses it out.

 

You need to make sure you’re not being rough when you shampoo because dumping the hair on their head can cause it to tangle, instead work shampoo gently through the ends.  Even when you dry lightly squeeze out excess moisture, don’t rough up hair.

 

It is important to condition the hair with something before trying to comb it whether it is wet or dry.  Always be gentle and comb from the ends to the root.  Don’t pull wet hair too much it is especially fragile when it is wet, it can stretch and break off much more easily making it more difficult to comb through the next time and broken ends make hair look frizzy.

 

After I am done I have her rinse out the conditioner a little and leave some in.  When we comb it in the morning it’s usually pretty easy to brush, until she goes out to play and it starts to tangle.  You can help prevent this by placing a covered band in their hair or lightly braid it to prevent tangles when they are running around.  A covered rubber band is an essential tool.  Don’t ever use rubber bands or you’ll have carefully cut them out.

 

Make sure you get your child’s hair is cut regularly and you will be able to comb through it more easily by keeping split ends under control.

 

One stylist suggested that I try Humectrus conditioner by Nexxus on my daughter’s hair.  I have also found that Biolage by Matrix Leave in conditioner or Conditioning Balm works well.

 

Gum and Other Sticky things:

 

One suggestion for gum or other sticky things stuck in hair try smooth peanut butter; according to American Girl book Taking Care & Keeping of You.  I’ve also heard mayonnaise can help.  Or try ice, making it crumble out and then vinegar which takes out the gums stickiness according to Master Practioner Lorraine Massey on Mother Nature website from The Doctors Book of Home Remedies For Children.   

 

 

Cowlicks that won’t go down:

 

A cowlick is that annoying area of hair, usually a problem in the crown that sticks straight up no matter how much combing you do.  The first key to dealing with cowlicks is to have your stylist leave this area slightly longer so you don’t have this problem.  Or you can go in the opposite direction and opt for a short buzz cut.  When you’re styling the hair try to go with the cowlick.  Gel helps but I would bet on the cowlick winning every time if you want to try and make it go in the opposite direction.

 

Growing Out Bangs That Won’t Stay Out Of Her Face:

 

Those bangs will be so cute when they are grown out but for now they are annoying half the time you can’t see her face.  Easy solutions are cute bows and all sorts of hair ties.  The only problem your adorable toddler keeps pulling them out.  The solution those tiny rubber bands meant for lots of little braids. 

 

You can find them in your grocery store with the cute kid’s bows or in your local beauty supply store.  They do come in clear so they go with all hair color and they won’t get stuck in the hair like regular rubber bands.  Simply place your child in front of a distraction and grab the bang area make a tiny pony tail in the bangs and then split it in two and pull the hair back through, she won’t be able to pull it out and it looks cute.

 

Cradle Cap:

 

Cradle Cap was an issue with both of our kids.  Cradle cap is a yellow crust on the scalp that doesn’t irritate the child but can cover the child’s scalp and sometimes creep below the hairline.  According to WebMD it is a buildup of sticky skin oils sloughed skin cells, and scales.  It is usually easily dealt with at home by applying baby oil, mineral, or petroleum jelly and massaging into the scalp.  Then use a gentle brush or fingers and rub the scales off.  Finally, shampoo and if this doesn’t work after a few tries, applying an over the counter shampoo or a doctor can prescribe a special shampoo.  If nothing else works you can count on your child out growing it, eventually.

 

Remember sometimes the most difficult things work the best with your child’s hair problems: be patient.  Also to keep your child calm use a distraction like the dreaded TV, a game, or a book.  By using these tricks above it should make brushing hair and other hair problems a more pleasant time of day.