ADOPTIVE & FOSTER PARENTS TO BLACK CHILDREN

When Black hair needs trimming, you’ll often notice increased shedding on shampoo day and more severe tangling. One of the first remedies for preventing split ends is making sure your child receives a True Trim. There are trims, and then there are “save-my-hair-from-damage” trims. A trim done by pulling the hair straight down and cutting it horizontally across the ends is not a True Trim. To properly perform a True Trim, after cutting the hair horizontally, you must then go through the top sections, stretching the hair outward and trimming vertically to remove remaining split ends. These layers are often missed, and neglecting them is what leads to hair becoming thin, lifeless, brittle, and frizzy.

 Maintaining your child’s hair with protective styles can help keep split ends under control when done correctly. These styles are convenient and can support healthy hair growth, but they lack the benefits of regular detangling and conditioning. For this reason, be sure to check your child’s ends after wearing a protective style for more than a month.

Other Remedies to Help: Use hydrating and moisturizing hair products. Avoid products high in protein, alcohol, bergamot oil, or silicones.

Keep heated styling tools on low temperatures.

Avoid braiding the ends of the hair too tightly, and do not wear scarves, bonnets, or hairbands too tight.

Check hairbrushes regularly for bent or broken bristles that can snag and break the hair.

For children who participate in sports, shampoo their hair at least every two weeks.