Summer is the perfect time for fun, sun, and relaxation. However, it can also be tough on the hair, especially for young ones. Toddlers and teens need extra care during the sunny months to ensure their hair stays healthy.
Here are seven essential tips to help you support your child’s hair growth this summer.
1. Use a Gentle Shampoo and Conditioner
Summer can mean more frequent washing due to swimming and sweating. It’s important to use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo to cleanse your child’s hair of dirt, sweat, and product buildup. This ensures that your child's hair and scalp are not stripped of their natural oils, which helps prevent dryness and irritation.
A good deep conditioner is also needed to replenish the hair with moisture and strength. After shampooing, apply a deep conditioner to your child's hair, focusing on the ends.
Aim for deep conditioning treatments once a week during the summer months, especially if your child spends a lot of time swimming. Look for deep conditioners specifically formulated for children's hair. These are usually gentler and less likely to irritate the scalp.
2. Do Protective Hairstyles
Protective styles are a fantastic way to give your child's hair a break from constant manipulation while promoting growth and keeping the ends protected, they minimize breakage and retain moisture.
Pinterest is a great place to explore kid-friendly protective style options. Remember, while protective styles are great, they shouldn't be too tight. Ensure you're not pulling on the scalp to avoid breakage.
The style should be low-tension, as most kids are tender-headed. The hairstylist must be gentle and careful to prevent discomfort and protect the hair and scalp from damage.
Also, keep your child’s hair moisturized while it's in a protective style to prevent dryness and maintain the health of the hair strands. Regularly spritzing with a moisturizing spray and applying a light oil can help lock in moisture and keep the hair soft and manageable.
3. Moisturize and Seal
Invest in a lightweight, moisturizing leave-in conditioner formulated for children's hair. Look for ingredients like aloe vera, coconut milk, or glycerin, known for their hydrating properties.
Apply the leave-in conditioner first to hydrate the strands and make them more manageable. Next, apply a kid-friendly hair growth oil directly to the scalp. This step is important as it nourishes the scalp, stimulates blood circulation, and promotes healthy hair growth.
Gently massage the oil into the scalp using your fingertips to ensure even distribution and enhance absorption. Once the scalp is treated, apply a nourishing hair cream to the hair strands. This helps to lock in the moisture from the leave-in conditioner, keeping the hair soft and moisturized for days.
By following this routine, you're not only keeping your child's hair hydrated and healthy but also encouraging stronger, longer hair over time.
4. Keep Them Hydrated
Just like the rest of the body, hair needs adequate hydration to stay healthy and grow. During the summer, kids tend to be more active and may need to drink more water to stay hydrated.
Encourage your toddlers and teens to drink water throughout the day. This not only benefits their overall health but also keeps their hair from becoming dry and brittle.
5. Balanced Diet Rich in Nutrients
Healthy hair starts from within! A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals is essential for strong hair growth because it provides the necessary nutrients that hair follicles need to function effectively.
Vitamins such as A, C, D, and E, along with minerals like iron and zinc, play a crucial role in maintaining healthy hair. For example, vitamin A supports the production of sebum, which keeps the scalp moisturized, iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen to hair follicles, promoting growth, and zinc is vital for repairing hair tissue and ensuring proper functioning of the oil glands around the follicles.
Without these essential nutrients, hair can become weak, dry, and more prone to breakage, ultimately hindering its growth and overall health.
Foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains in your child’s diet are key to supporting their hair from the inside out. For toddlers, make mealtimes fun with colorful, nutrient-dense foods.
6. Protect Hair from the Sun & Heat
The sun’s UV rays can damage hair, making it dry and more prone to breakage. Protect your child's hair by using hats or scarves when they are out in the sun.
Hats and scarves are a great way to keep your child cool and protect their hair from the sun's harsh rays. Look for hats with wide brims that provide shade for the ears, neck, and scalp.
Excessive use of heat styling tools can damage hair and inhibit growth. Encourage your teen to embrace their natural hair texture and reduce the use of straighteners, curling irons, and blow dryers.
For toddlers, air drying is the best option as their hair is more delicate. If styling is necessary, always use a heat protectant.
7. Pre-poo Before Swimming
If your little one is going to be swimming this summer, applying hair oil to your child's hair before they begin can help to create a barrier against chlorine and other chemicals in pool water.
Apply the oil when your child's hair is dry, about 30 minutes to an hour before they go swimming. This gives the oil enough time to penetrate the hair and form a protective layer.
Hair ends are the most delicate and prone to dryness. Apply a generous amount of oil to the mid-lengths and ends, working your way up to the roots if their hair is very dry. Avoid overdoing it near the scalp, which can make hair look greasy.
Use your fingers to distribute the oil throughout the hair evenly. You can also comb it with a wide-tooth comb to ensure all strands are coated.
Immediately after swimming, have your child rinse their hair thoroughly with fresh water. This helps remove as much chlorine residue as possible before it can do further damage.
After the initial rinse, cleaning the hair with a gentle shampoo is important. Harsh shampoos can further strip away natural oils, so opt for a kid-friendly formula that's mild and sulfate-free.
Conclusion
By incorporating these summer hair growth tips into your child's routine, you can help maintain their hair's health and encourage growth.
Remember, the key is consistency and using products suited to their age and hair type. Enjoy the sunny days while keeping your little one’s hair protected!
We appreciate the time you took to read this blog to the end. We hope you found it helpful.
Shanyi Organics is a brand focused on providing high-quality safe and effective hair care products for men, women, and kids and we also cater to any hair type and style. We also incorporate all these Ayurvedic herbs in our products
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