Hairstylist, author answers common questions about cutting children's hair
Will cutting my child's hair make it grow longer or thicker? Can you train hair to stay in place by brushing it away from the face? Hairstylist and dad, Larry Dunlap, answers some common questions.
Posted — UpdatedDunlap shared some common questions he's gotten over the years and his answers, which he's also shared on his website.
Well, yes and no.
Hair doesn't grow from the ends outward like a plant does. Hair growth occurs at the scalp. That's why you get "roots" when your hair color has grown out (why are there so many plant analogies related to hair anyway?). But, if you keep the ends trimmed regularly your hair does seem to grow faster. Here's why:
Over time, even healthy hair will develop small splits at the ends. If these splits aren't trimmed off regularly, they will continue to split and re-split and extend further up the hair shaft. When your hair gets to this point, the abrasion that occurs with your hair moving across the fabric of your blouse, sweaters and coats is enough to break off small amounts of the ends. So, even though your hair is growing normally at the scalp (which is about a half inch per month), it's breaking off gradually at the ends.
Simply making sure that you get the ends trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks will keep the ends of your hair healthy and allow it to grow longer.
By the way, no vitamin or supplement or anything that you apply to your scalp will have even the slightest impact on your hair growth.
cute upturned nose.
First of all, use the right tool for detangling so that you don't create more damage to the child's hair while getting out the tangles. For wet hair, only use a comb with large, widely spaced teeth, never a brush. A spray-on, leave-in conditioner helps.
Wet hair stretches up to 60 percent of its length when dry and will break off if too much tension is applied. A hair brush grips the hair much too strongly to use for detangling wet hair.
On dry hair, use a natural boar bristle brush which will create shine while it detangles. Spray the brush lightly with hairspray beforehand. This will help prevent static electricity from making your child's hair stand on end like she's been electrocuted.
With wet or dry hair you can make the process faster and less painful by gripping a section of hair near the scalp making sure not to pull the hair tightly. Trust me, your kid will let you know if you are pulling too hard.
Then beginning near the ends, begin detangling using short strokes and gradually working your way towards the scalp area.
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