Maintaining Your Daughter's Virgin Hair

For Kids

PROCEDURE 1: Never cowash (washing with conditioner) or shamwash (washing with shampoo) her hair without first properly detangling.

For detangling, you will be need:

•  A wide tooth comb or a detangling comb;
•  Sulfate-free conditioner (optional);
•  Spritz (3parts of water +1 part of oil) OR (1 cup of water + 2 tablespoons of Aloe Vera juice + 2 tablespoons of glycerin;
•  Hair clips and;
• Your fingers.

PROCEDURE 1 - DETANGLING:

1. Section her hair in 6-8 sections and begin to work on each section one by one by spritzing hair generously and then u apply a good amount of conditioner directing it from hair to root;

2. Use your finger to comb hair first before using a wide tooth comb/detangling comb;

3. When you are done detangling, make a loose two strand twist or use a clip to hold detangled hair and move to work on the next section until the whole head of hair is properly detangled.

PROCEDURE 2 - WASHING:

Once the whole hair is properly detangled, it’s time for a wash. It’s important to note that cowash is best preferred. Shampoo could be done once in 4 or 6 weeks. Due to the fragile stage of her hair, an all-time shamwash is not advised as that strips out all the moisture that her hair desperately needs thereby causing hair more knots for tangling and breakage. Conditioner is designed to put moisture back into hair making it soft and easier to comb. Just like you wash her hair with shampoo, wash it with conditioner and remember to comb hair in this process (you can wash her hair without taking out the twist) when hair has been proper cowashed ensure you gently dry hair with a soft towel or clean T-shirt.

Never use an electric dryer or straightener on her hair. At a tender age, her cuticles/shafts are still fragile to go through such heat.

PROCEDURE 3 – DEEP CONDITIONING:

This stage is extremely important and must be worked with care and attention. Doing a protein DC (Deep Conditioning) especially on a protein based cowash can cause serious hair issue and at this point it’s important to know when to strike a balance. Many kid's hair process protein so well that they don't need much of protein treatments and to this regards a moisturizing DC like Avocado DC, Banana DC, Aloe Vera DC is advised weekly or once in two weeks. Protein DC, could be done at least once in 4-6 weeks or be certain that a protein DC is really needed before trying it out. Excess protein treatment would cause hair to be hard and break as well, so creating a balance is encouraged.

GENERAL RULES:

1.)  After DC, ensure you properly moisturize on damp hair with either a water-based conditioner or an emollient conditioner. If you are using a water based conditioner, ensure ends are properly sealed with either castor oil or any hair butter;

2.) Ensure her PS (protective style) is not tight and avoid one that would stress her front hair. Best PS are cornrows (preferably), braids, threads and yarns. A constant braid, cornrow, yarn, thread, is not advised, at least two weeks of cornrowed hair/braids on, one week of styled hair with ribbons and hair accessories(such swaps will be healthier for her hair);

3.) While on PS, ensure hair is constantly moisturized with spritz;

4.) Ensure hair is cleaned and well take care of,  takeoff with either a cowash or just pouring water on hair(maximum duration of PS should be two weeks);

5.) For styling, use a hair butter and don't load hair with so much hair products...keep it simple;

6.) Avoid chemical content hair care products;

7.) Ensure you don't follow a protein DC with a protein leave-in, a moisturizing leave-in is advised;

8.) For the use of Dudu Osun soap on our kids, its best to use it in liquid form rather than using it in bar form;

9.) Spritz hair properly before taking off her PS to prevent breakage and pains;

10.) Before going to bed, it’s not advised to use a hair net for our kids, moisturize hair and cover with a silky hair scarf or bonnet.