Children and Hair Weaves and Chemical Processes

As stylist, I am often asked the question, “What is the appropriate age to begin relaxing my daughter’s hair?” My answer is always the same, “It depends on the child and her hair.” Unfortunately, I have known children who have gotten chemical relaxers as young as two years of age. As a stylist, I would never recommend such a thing. A child’s skin is very delicate. Moreover the head is a very sensitive region. The younger a child is, the more likely her “head cap” is still open. One must be very careful not to injure a child.

In determining which relaxer to use, the stylist must always perform a skin test on the subject. A skin test will determine if the subject is sensitive or allergic to the chemical. A skin test is performed by taking a very small amount of the chemical, less than a smidgen, and rubbing it on the inside of the forearm and leaving it there for 24 hours. If any redness at all occurs that you must not use the product on the subject.

There are some relaxers that are especially for new growth only. Luster PCJ Smooth Roots relaxer is one such product. It is the only children’s relaxer kit that is especially designed to touch up new growth. When her growth gets about ½ inches to ¾ inches long, it’s time she gets a touch-up. A touch-up, when done at the right time can reduce hair breakage. The Smooth Roots product straightens and conditions new growth with a triple-action conditioner and it works no matter what relaxer you have used in the past.