Kid's Skincare Made Simple: Caring for Baby Hair

Most parents dread washing, detangling and cutting their baby’s hair. Sometimes it’s hard to tell who dislikes the whole process more — the parents or the kids! Skincare-News.com's latest article, "Simple Steps for Baby Hair Care," offers a few simple techniques can make baby hair care easier on everyone.

http://www.skincare-news.com/a-6452-Simple_Steps_for_Baby_Hair_Care.aspx

Shampooing

Bath time is fun and functional for babies and big kids, as well as for mom and dad. But don't let splashing water or stinging suds turn bath time into crying time. To keep water out of eyes and ears while shampooing baby's hair, follow these steps:

• Dunk a cup in the water. Gently tilt the baby's head back, and then trickle water over the head and hair.

• Apply a few drops of gentle, tear-free baby shampoo; lather up and then massage into the hair.

• Rub shampoo into the hair gently for a few minutes. Make it fun! Swirl hair into silly shapes (think mini-mohawks!) and encourage older kids to participate.

• Pour water from the cup over the head to rinse shampoo, or opt for a damp washcloth. Use a hand or a dry washcloth to prevent water and suds from spilling onto the baby's eyes or face.

• Keep older children from fretting about shampoo or water stinging their eyes. Bath time is the perfect opportunity to introduce water-friendly toys and games. Involve older kids in every aspect of this time together: turning on the faucet, selecting toys, picking a soft towel and even washing their own hair. Be sure to clean and dry toys thoroughly after baths to prevent mold.

Don't over-wash a baby's hair; once a week should suffice. A baby's scalp produces very little oil, and over-washing will only dry out the skin, notes Baby Center. However, older kids might require two or three shampoos per week.

Even with careful hair washing, it's common for babies to develop cradle cap, a condition that mimics dandruff, leaving the scalp red, flaky and irritated. See these signs? Then, try the following:

• Massage gently "with a soft-bristled baby brush or toothbrush before rinsing off the shampoo," advises Mayo Clinic. This will slough away flakes and dryness.

• Consider a shampoo designed especially for cradle cap.

• See the baby's pediatrician for prescription treatments if redness or flaking persist.

Detangling

After shampooing, parents are faced with the often-feared moment of detangling knotty locks. But combing doesn't need to be a struggle! Have some conditioner or detangler handy. Here are some tips:

• Control wavy, curly or unruly hair with a kid-friendly conditioner that leaves hair silky-soft and less likely to tangle.

• Eliminate a separate conditioner and rinsing, two sources of bath time stress, with a leave-in treatment. Or, consider a two-in-one shampoo-and-conditioner formula.

• Towel dry the hair, and then use a wide-tooth comb to gently unravel tangles and snags. Starting at the ends, work the comb higher through the hair in sections until reaching the crown.

Trimming

When hair starts looking shaggy or a little too long, a haircut is in order. The earlier a parent can introduce a child to haircuts, the easier they'll be in the future. Parents can opt for a professional salon haircut or trim the child's hair themselves.

Leaving it to the pros. First, make sure the stylist is experienced in cutting children's hair. Often, stylists work quickly and the trim will be done in no time. Also, many salons specializing in children's hair offer fun distractions, such as movies, books and special chairs.

To keep kids calm while getting a salon cut:

• Arrive with the child's hair clean and freshly-shampooed.

• Request that the stylist use only plain water to mist the hair (if needed).

• Hold the child in a lap for security and comfort.

DIY. Cutting a child's hair at home has its upsides, too. The familiar environment may make the process easier, plus favorite toys and activities are just seconds away for a nice distraction.

Here are a few tips to make it a pleasant experience:

• Don't cut the hair right after washing. Instead, let the child relax before introducing the scissors if bath time tends to be stressful.

• Enlist the spouse or a friend to provide a secure, comfy lap for the child.

• Work quickly and always use childproof hair shears.

With these easy techniques, parents can properly care for a youngster's hair now, plus keep it healthy and manageable into the future.

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