Help needed for little afro!

LolaDub · 15-10-2008 1:57pm #1

Boardsie parents my daughter who has just turned 2 has a little afro (her dad was coloured/black, i'm caucasian/white-not trying to sound racist just showing i don't know how to look after her hair) which i have no idea of how to take care of. I comb it with a lot of conditioner when she's having her bath and she goes nuts and screams with tears. I think it might be hurting her. Its very difficult to comb when her hair is dry and i'd say its definitely hurting her then. Her hair goes into little dreads at the back dometimes where she sleeps on it. Any advice on how to look after it? Cheers

Shelli · 15-10-2008 2:26pm

I think you might need special products for afro hair. Why not bring her to a salon that specialises in afro hair and they can show you how to look after it? Or have you considered having it braided or rolled?

LolaDub · 15-10-2008 2:44pm

I was thinking about that, figured i'd have a check for advice here first. I wouldn't mind any of those things but i couldn't braid it myself! She goes nuts when anyone goes near her hair, i'm not sure anybody would be able to do it unless that have some special way?

Nevyn · 15-10-2008 2:46pm

Diet also makes a difference if she isn't getting enough nut oils it can cause her hair to dry out.

http://www.growafrohairlong.com/foods.html
http://www.curls.biz/learn-about-curls/naturally-curly-hair-care/afro-american-curly-hair.html

I would not perm or straighten her hair.

LolaDub · 15-10-2008 2:54pm

Thanks thae!

I'm not looking to get anything done to her hair really, just i think i'm not doing what i should be and trying to find out. Girls at work use some crazy oils on their hair but i don't think they're suitable for a baby and i guess with her being mixed race she might not be able to take some of the blck hair treatments

She Devil · 15-10-2008 3:20pm

Sorry i am not here to offer advice, just to say ... awwww sounds so cute!!

di11on · 15-10-2008 3:34pm

She Devil wrote: »

Sorry i am not here to offer advice, just to say ... awwww sounds so cute!!

Hee hee... that's what I was thinking too

Peared · 15-10-2008 6:10pm

Dreads! Dreads! Oh how cute, a 2 year old with dreads. Me wants one.

LolaDub · 15-10-2008 6:46pm

Mini dreads! They're not proper dreads, just with her hair only getting combed/brushed at bath time whatever side her head is sleeping on gets a bit dread like with sweat etc.

Susannahmia · 15-10-2008 8:32pm

This is an american board but has loads of info that you might find usefull.

clicky

I haven't much experience with this myself but for what its worth I do remember that when my aunt was looking after a black child, her mother told her that her hair should be only washed with shampoo once a week max and to wash with conditioner only any other time. She wasn't to use normal combs or brushes either, just an Afro pick.

John Mason · 16-10-2008 10:56am

as a person, who was once a child, with afro style hair.

Only wash her hair with shampoo when absolutely necessary (I wash mine about 1 every 2/3 weeks) and DO NOT under any cirumstances use baby shampoos, they are really harsh and will strip the hair.

When she has a bath or shower use conditioner only and dont wash the hair so much that the conditioner is complete washed out.

Get a wooden wide tooth comb ( you can get this in the body shop) and only use this to brush her hair.

Start combing from the bottom up.

and go to a carribean hairdressers to get the correct potions

I remember as a child getting my hair brush was the most painful,horrible experience of my life and i stll to this day would not allow my mother to go anywhere near my hair.

lostinnappies · 16-10-2008 1:02pm

hair dresser should be able to braid it for you. But often loose braids will stop the dreads. There is a product called relaxant. dont know where you can get it but a hairdresser should be able to tell you.

LolaDub · 16-10-2008 1:21pm

Thanks for all the replies! Lostinnappies i've heard of the relaxer but as far as i know its for adults only. Thanks for the tips pfb, i'll probably pm you later, those are some good tips, i had been using the johnsons shampoo. Do you think lush products would be any good? Her hair is a bit softer than the usual afro, probably from being mixed race. She freaks out when she sees the hairbrush even going on my hair! Thanks for the site info susannahmia, i'll have a good go through that later!

ellea1 · 03-01-2009 11:06pm

Hi Loladub,
I know it's been a while, but just wanted to reiterate pink fluffy bunny's solid advice...definitely always wash with conditioner rather than shampoo.
It is easier to comb while conditioner is in tthe hair and then put it in loose plaits to sleep....depending on how long it is.
Whatever you do, please don't relax her hair!!! It is seriously damaging and definitely not for children!
For potions...don't get too hung up on which to use...the important thing for afro hair is moisture and keeping the moisture in. Plain olive oil will do...or you might also get quite good results from using pink oil moisturiser which is available from all african type shops.
Be careful about getting her hair braided, most of those place hold it too tight even for an adult!If you can braid fatties and decorate them, she can carry these for a while.
Goodluck.

Help needed for little afro!

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