Creating your Child’s hair care routine in a way that promotes health and growth doesn’t have to be complicated or confusing. In fact, there are a few simple methods you can try that will make the process a lot quicker and easier. Here are three simple changes you can make to your child’s hair care routine to give them long, healthy hair.
Try water-only washing.
Water-only washing is exactly what it sounds like—ditching the products and only washing your hair with water. Now, most people are justifiably hesitant in making this method a staple in their hair care routines and regimens because if you don’t use shampoo or conditioner, are you really washing the hair?
The answer is yes. Cutting out the extra products may actually benefit your child’s hair by decreasing exposure to harmful ingredients, encouraging the production of natural hair oil, and overall experience of less frizz and dryness. Now washing with water doesn’t mean you can’t clarify or condition your child’s hair. You absolutely still can:
- Clarify your child’s hair using products like bentonite clay masks or apple cider vinegar.
- Deep condition and moisturize after thoroughly rinsing the scalp.
- Use sulfate-free shampoos on occasion.
Opt for low manipulation protective styles.
Braids, ponytails, and buns are the go-to styles for most little ones. And while they’re super cute, all the extra styling can be detrimental to your child’s hair in the long run. Tight, intricate styles can cause breakage, thinning, and scalp irritation—setting your child up for some serious hair setbacks and difficulties early on. So consider going for low manipulation protective styling, such as:
- Jumbo twists
- Low bun
- The pineapple
- Loose braids
- Bantu knots
Retest the LOC/LCO
The LOC and LCO methods are both ways of moisturizing and sealing the hair—the only difference being the order in which you do it. The LOC method requires liquid, oil, and then cream last while LCO is liquid, cream, and then oil last.
Both methods are known to be super effective, but like most things, one will work really well for some and not at all for others. If you have a hard time keeping your child’s hair moisturized, consider giving both of them a try just to see which will work best.
LCO is typically ideal if you want to moisturize your child’s hair, but keep it light and voluminous. LOC is a better option if your child has a hard time with dryness and frizz because the oil before the cream works to trap in moisture and hydration the best. Test them both out with a variety of products, and then stick to the one that gets the job done.
If you would like more help with creating your child’s hair care routine, comment below.