Skip to content

Kiddie Hair Care: An Easy Guide to Your Child’s Curls

 A young girl is getting her curly hair fixed by her mother who is out of frame.
Your child’s curly hair shouldn’t be a hassle to work with.

Curly hair is a distinctive characteristic for children to have, and understanding its nuances can be daunting, particularly for parents whose hair is straight. There is no definitive hair type based on the child’s ethnicity, nor can one guarantee that a child’s ancestry from their parents will lead to wavy or curly hair. As infants grow older, their hair can change. It is your duty as a parent or caregiver to learn the proper methods for caring for your child’s hair, both to keep it looking good and to teach them to care for and love their curly hair. This article is an easy guide for kids with curly hair, providing advice on how to embrace, care for, and maintain their waves, curls, and other curly hair types!

Curly Hair In Kids

Contrary to popular belief, having curly hair isn’t as simple as inheriting it from one or both parents. In a previous article, we tackled the science behind curly hair and found out that other genetic factors, such as the shape of your hair follicles, affect hair growth and even the type of curls an individual may have.

 Two young girls with curly hair are smiling at the camera while they are laying on some cushions.
Much like your child, their curly hair also needs to be nurtured and cared for.

These scientific findings are further expanded on in a study published in 2019 that sought to understand and explain the nuances of curly hair growth. This research found that curly hair is made up of a distinct type of fiber that has its own physical, mechanical, and biological components.

Curly Hair Care

Curly hair can be difficult to manage because it lacks moisture and dries out easily. By adopting a good hair care routine, though, it is possible to keep your child’s curls healthy and maintain their look.

Avoid Washing Too Often

 A photo taken of the back of a woman’s head as she washes her hair with a shampoo bar.
Shampooing too often can be detrimental to your child’s curly hair.

Dryness and frizz can result from washing curly hair too frequently. For the best scalp and hair health, we advise you to wash your child’s hair every two to three weeks. In order to avoid damaging your child’s long or thick hair, wash it in sections. When styling with gels, oils, creams, or pomades, use a clarifying shampoo and a moisturizing shampoo designed especially for curly hair. Wear a shower cap when taking a bath to protect your hair in between washes.

Don’t Forget to Detangle

A young girl is getting her curly hair detangled with a brush.
Detangling your child’s curls helps ease hair care troubles.

Children may find detangling difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. Use a cushioned paddle brush and an excellent conditioner with slip to prevent drama and work in sections. Your children will have a seamless and trouble-free experience this way.

Stay Moisturized

 A pair of hands, One hand is squeezing hair moisturizer from a tube into the other hand.
Moisturizer should be an essential part of your child’s curly hair care routine!

Given that curly hair is drier than other hair types, it is important to condition all of your kid’s hair—not just the ends—with a rich conditioner after washing. You can also apply oil or leave-in conditioner after conditioning. Applying conditioner before shampooing is also an option if the hair is extremely dry or difficult to untangle.

Complete Your Curly Hair Kit

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on curly kids’ hair products or follow a lengthy, multi-step hair care regimen. Starting with a few good-quality products is all you need, and as they age and their hair types change, you may add more.

Our Shampoo Picks

 An eight-ounce bottle of Cantu Care For Kids Tear-free Nourishing Shampoo.
Cantu Care For Kids Tear-Free Nourishing Shampoo.

Cantu For Kids Tear-Free Nourishing Shampoo

Cantu Kids is the ideal combination of honey, coconut oil, and pure shea butter. With Cantu’s mild treatment for textured hair, you can nurture and nourish delicate curls, coils, and waves.  Shea butter, coconut oil, and honey are added to the tear-free solution, which gently cleans curls, coils, and waves.

An eight-ounce bottle of Dark and Lovely Beautiful Beginnings 2 in 1 Easy Shampoo.
Dark and Lovely Beautiful Beginnings 2 in 1 Easy Shampoo.

Dark and Lovely Beautiful Beginnings 2 in-1 Shampoo

The Dark and Lovely Beautiful Beginnings 2-in-1 Easy Shampoo is made for kids’ sensitive hair and scalp. It contains nourishing coconut oil and aloe vera to strengthen and nourish hair, clean it, remove tangles, and keep it from drying out and breaking during combing.

An eight-ounce bottle of Shea Moisture Mango & Carrot Kids Extra-Nourishing Shampoo.
Shea Moisture Mango & Carrot Kids Extra-Nourishing Shampoo.

Shea Moisture Mango & Carrot Kids Extra-Nourishing Shampoo

A great hair shampoo that also functions as a cleanser, SheaMoisture for Kids’ Mango & Carrot Extra-Nourishing Shampoo gently cleans and detangles kids’ sensitive hair.  In addition to vitamin B-5 and vitamin E to strengthen hair, it contains nourishing coconut oil, olive oil, and certified organic shea butter.  Enhanced curl definition and kid-friendly brightness are provided with extracts of carrot, mango, and citrus. This formula is also sulfate-free.

Our Conditioner Picks

 An eight-ounce bottle of Cantu Care For Kids Nourishing Conditioner.
Cantu Care For Kids Nourishing Conditioner.

Cantu For Kids Nourishing Conditioner

Pure Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, and Honey are combined in Cantu For Kids Nourishing Conditioner to soften and condition hair strands for healthy hair while gently nourishing and nurturing delicate curls, coils, and waves.

A twelve-ounce bottle of African Pride Dream Kids Detangling Moisturizing Conditioner.
African Pride Dream Kids Detangling Moisturizing Conditioner.

Dream Kids Olive Miracle Detangling Moisturizing Conditioner

For relaxed, wavy, coiled, or curly hair. The Dream Kids Conditioner helps hair look lustrous and bouncy. This conditioner, which is made with coconut oil and olive oil, hydrates, moisturizes, and keeps your child’s natural curls and coils from breaking.

Our Detangler Picks

 An eight-ounce bottle of Kinder Curls Magic Mist Detangler.
Kinder Curls Magic Mist Detangler.

Kinder Curls Magic Mist Detangler

Magic Mist Detangler was created to detangle and treat hair, making brushing smoother. The makers of Magic Mist Detangler excluded silicones, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), dyes, and phthalates from the formula. It also reactivates with water to keep your child’s magnificent curls and coils intact.

An eight-ounce bottle of Dark and Lovely Beautiful Beginnings Ouchless Detangler.
Dark and Lovely Beautiful Beginnings Ouchless Detangler.

Dark and Lovely Beautiful Beginnings Ouchless Detangler

The process of combing and detangling your child’s hair should be pleasant. For your cutie’s fragile hair, this Dark and Lovely Beautiful Beginnings Ouchless Detangler is beautifully crafted to make hair care easy and painless. In addition to making combing less stressful with its simple tangle and knot release, this detangling mist’s nourishing coconut oil and soothing aloe vera help shield hair from breaking from brushing or combing.

Disclaimer

Power Your Curls Pty Ltd. and all of its content are for informational purposes only. All information is believed to be accurate at the time of posting and should NOT be taken as professional medical advice. Please seek a medical professional in the event of pain or injury.

Author