Infant Hair Care

By Author: Mike Epstain
Total Articles: 130
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The hair pattern of every newborn is different. Some are born with a head full of beautiful and fine hair, while some others have only a few visible patches of hair. There is no particular reason that can be attributed to the fact that some babies have lots of hair since birth, and some others are almost bald. However, either way, there is nothing to worry about. The cycle of hair growth starts in a month and remains a continuous process for the rest of life. Nevertheless, taking proper care of your newborn's hair is absolutely essential so that the hair becomes strong and healthy. Here, we will share some tips on how to take care of your newborn's hair.

Shampooing

According to the experts of a hair clinic in East Bay area, dirty, greasy, and a sweaty scalp is a fundamental reason behind brittle and thin hair. You must ensure that your baby's hair is shampooed three times a week. You should also massage the scalp gently to improve blood flow and remove the oil and dirt thoroughly. Use shampoos, which are specially formulated for newborns as they are milder and chemical-free. A "head to toe" product can also ...
... be used for the purpose. Washing the baby's hair every day is not required.

Take care of Cradle Cap.

Cradle is dermatitis of the scalp, which is common in infants. It occurs primarily due to the excessive production of sebum in the pores of the scalp. Sebum is an oily substance that is secreted naturally to retain the moisture in our skin. Cradle cap looks like thick and flaky scales over the scalp, often yellow or white in color. The best way to avoid cradle cap is to cleanse the hair and scalp thoroughly. Also, it is advised to restrict the use of products that can clog the pores of the skin like talcum powder on the scalp in this period.

Oil Massage

Just like the entire body, oil massage for the scalp is also extremely beneficial for the baby. It increases the blood circulation of the scalp, thus promoting better hair growth. It also helps the baby to have a good sleep. Furthermore, a good oil massage moisturizes the scalp and thus keeps the problems of itchy scalp and dandruff at bay. Use an adequate amount of oil on your fingertips and massage it gently all over your baby's scalp. The experts of a hair clinic in Concord say that a variety of oils can be used for head massages like- coconut oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, and olive oil.

Comb the Newborns Hair Properly

Combing helps to revitalize the pores of the scalp to promote healthy sebum secretion as well as promote hair growth. However, you must keep in mind that the skin of the scalp of your newborn child is very soft and extremely sensitive. Hence, you must be very gentle while combing through your baby's hair. Make sure to use wide-toothed baby combs- these have softer bristles. Besides, you must not cob too many times in a day, or else the scalp might get bruised. Combing the hair twice a day is enough.

Trim The ends regularly

Just like maintenance of the adult hair, your newborn's hair needs to be trimmed at regular intervals as well. Long hair causes split ends. Trims will ensure that split ends and other hair problems related to dryness is minimized. Shorter hair is also more comfortable for the baby. Keeping that in mind, trim those fine tresses every 4 to 5 months.

Use Baby products only.

The hair products meant for adults contain considerable chemical substances. Although the percentage of those chemicals in the composition of those products are at the tolerable range of adults, it is strictly a big No for your newborn. Your baby has incredibly soft and sensitive skin. So, these products will be very harsh for application on your child. It can even cause irreparable damage to the baby's skin. Make sure that you always use baby products for taking care of your newborn's skin and hair. These products are specially formulated, keeping in mind the sensitivity of your baby's skin. Many brands have come up with tearless hair products for infants, which means it will not irritate their eyes even if the foam trickles down near the baby's eye. Considering using products like those for your baby's comfort and safety.

Care for Long and Tangled Hair

If you want your baby's hair to remain long, you must ensure that the hair is oiled, cleaned, and trimmed regularly. Do not let the oil sit on your baby's scalp for long, as it will clog the pores of the scalp and will attract dust. Also, do not tie your baby's hair in very tight hair clips or hair bands as the hair of the newborn is exceptionally soft and prone to breakage. Tight hairbands may make the child uncomfortable, as well. Babies with long hair often face hair tangling. Use a baby-conditioner to keep your baby's hair smooth and tangle-free.

Final Words

Taking care of a newborn's hair is not a difficult task. It only requires the right products and tender care. With proper maintenance, you can ensure that your baby will have healthy and luscious hair in the future. Take care of the cradle cap, and in case of any unusual flakiness of the scalp, seek medical help at the earliest.