Tangled Toddler Tresses- The Curly Hair Dilemma

Is your toddlers hair super curly or a matted mess?

Curly hair is very fragile. Tugging and pulling on curls can cause irreparable damage. If your child has curly hair, you must take extra special care to style without damaging it.

Here are a few tips to make tame your toddlers unkempt mane.

What you'll need for this detangling method:

• 8 oz water spray bottle
• Pure vegetable glycerin
• Essential oil, such as, lavender or sandalwood oil
• Hair Clips/ Elastic Bands
• Wide tooth comb
• Boar Bristle Hair Brush
• Hair Accessories
• Entertainment (Favorite TV show, toys, or even a box of hair accessories.)

Moisture is curly hair's best friend. Many parents purchase detanglers to detangle their child's tresses, but did you know you can make your own detangler with water and vegetable glycerin?

Instructions for making your own vegetable glycerin detangling solution:

1. Use an 8 oz water spray bottle.
2. Add 7 1/2 oz of water to the spray bottle and 1/2 oz of vegetable glycerin and shake to mix thoroughly. (If you have hard water, use bottled water instead of tap water for this solution)
3. For added benefit and fresh scent, add 3 drops or lavender or sandalwood oil

_{^{Vegetable glycerin and essential oils can be purchased at your local health food store.}}

Glycerin is a not only a natural emollient, it is also hypoallergenic. It also add shine and moisture to hair that may be dry and flat.

Emollients allow brushes and combs to glide over hair with less resistance.

Steps to detangling:

1. Spray detangling solution from root to end. Use a fine mist to ensure the hair is moist. Do not saturate hair.
2. Part hair into 4 sections. Clip or elastic band each section.
3. Working in one section at a time. First use fingers to loosen tangles. Comb from ends to roots until hair is untangled. Next use a boars hair brush to smooth hair.
4. Finally style as usual.

Most importantly, Patience. It takes time to tame tresses. Make sure you have at least 30 minutes to comb through your child's hair.

*Note- If hair is feels tacky to the touch, you may condition hair. Conditioning hair will remove excess detangling solution and leave hair manageable.

**Tip for tangle-free combing every morning- Try putting at least two braids in your child's hair before putting them to bed.