Making haircare child’s play:
gentle routines for little ones

It’s good advice to get children used to haircare from a young age — and to avoid making it a dreaded chore for both you and your child, says Shobhana. But first, let’s take a quick look at hair and scalp care for babies.

Baby talk

Washing baby’s hair will usually be done as part of their bathing routine. Remember that you should use only plain warm water on newborns, says Shobhana.

After about four to six weeks, you can start to use unperfumed baby bath products, but use them very sparingly to avoid damaging baby’s skin. If your baby has lots of hair — some grow their hair much later than others, so don’t worry if none has appeared yet — you can use a tiny drop of very mild baby shampoo.

Coping with cradle cap

Your baby may have cradle cap. Don’t worry — it’s a harmless and very common condition. Look out for white or yellow scales on the scalp that may be greasy. On darker skin tones, the scalp may look pink with white or grey scales.

• Gently rub baby oil into the scalp to loosen the scales, then rinse with warm water and pat dry.
• Use a soft brush to gently brush the scalp, then wash with baby shampoo.

Hair may come away with the scales, but don’t panic — it will soon grow back. However, says Shobhana, if your baby’s scalp looks red, might be infected, or the cradle cap spreads to the face or body, always speak to your doctor or healthcare professional.

Child haircare at home: getting the basics right

Tangled hair and eye-stinging shampoo are two of the main reasons children don’t like having their hair washed. But there are ways to prevent hair washing from becoming a dreaded chore.

Here are a few tried-and-tested top tips from Shobhana Beauty Studio:

• Make hair washing a fun one-to-one time with your child.
• Ensure pain-free detangling is a priority. Before washing, use a wide-toothed comb starting at the bottom of the hair and gradually working up toward the roots. For seriously knotty hair, try a detangling or conditioning spray.
• Use baby shampoo for children aged up to three. Apply a small amount to wet hair and gently massage into the scalp, working from the forehead to the back of the neck.
• Don’t pile longer hair on top of the head — this can cause tangles again.
• Use a little conditioner on the ends of longer hair.
• Squeeze the hair with a towel after rinsing, but don’t rub, as this can break the hair and cause tangles.
• Comb out the hair starting at the tips and working toward the roots. A comb is gentler than a brush for children’s hair.
• Leave it to dry naturally. Young skin is sensitive to heat, so avoid hairdryers.

Soothing first-time salon nerves

“There are no hard and fast rules about when your child should have their first haircut appointment,” explains Shobhana. “Children’s hair grows at very different speeds.”

However, she suggests you can start getting them used to the salon environment by bringing them in for a visit before their first appointment and introducing them to the stylist who will be cutting their hair. You could also arrange to be there at the same time as another child is having their hair cut, so they can see there is nothing to fear.

• Find a fun storybook about a child having their first haircut.
• Avoid the word “cut” — instead, say “a trim” or “a new hairstyle.”
• Take your child’s favorite toy with you on the day.
• Arrange a special post-haircut treat so your child associates appointments with a nice day out.

We’re here to help

Do ask us about children’s haircuts, the best products to use, and how to make your child’s first appointment as stress-free as possible. We’re here to help make haircare a pleasurable experience for both you and your child.