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Style and beauty

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Original poster

Help with my sons hair!

13 replies

imokithink · 23/02/2023 11:18

My son has the most amazing curly hair but 90% of the time it looks like this. I've tried all sorts of products. I only wash it once a week and don't tend to use shampoo, just a leave in conditioner. After washing it dries into beautiful ringlets and it looks great until he sleeps on it and then it just gets matted and knotty and brushing it is a nightmare even with detangling spray and a tangle teezer brush. Does anyone have any advice? I love his hair so much and so does he...he doesn't want it cut short (which I'm glad about 😄) and he won't tie it up either. He starts school in September and I'm thinking it might be wise to start getting his hair a little more presentable before then.

OP posts:

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 23/02/2023 11:22

Stop brushing and combing it! That will help for a start.

Everyone with curly hair are different. I have to wash my hair daily or it is a mess. Use a good moisturising shampoo and conditioner, and try and wash it more often. Then either leave to dry or use a diffuser. The next day use a leave in conditioner and scrunch it in (do not brush or comb it!). See if that helps.

RudsyFarmer · 23/02/2023 11:26

Moisture moisture moisture moisture moisture moisture

moisture 🤣

honestly. Use Aussie leave in conditioner and wash the hair with conditioner only. Wide toothed comb when wet only. Let dry naturally. Then show us what it looks like.

Original poster

imokithink · 23/02/2023 11:28

@OhhhhhhhhBiscuits thank you! I only brush it when it is wet and has leave-in conditioner in, should I stop even doing that? What about the knots/matting? I'll start washing more often 👍

OP posts:

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 23/02/2023 12:46

imokithink · 23/02/2023 11:28

@OhhhhhhhhBiscuits thank you! I only brush it when it is wet and has leave-in conditioner in, should I stop even doing that? What about the knots/matting? I'll start washing more often 👍

Use a wide tooth combination to combine the conditioner through but other than that don't use a comb or a brush at all. If you really have to get a wide toothed afro comb but you shouldn't have to use it.

Eastereggsboxedupready · 23/02/2023 12:48

If you want to keep the length have him wear it up in a mun. Or by God woman nits will take over your lives...
I can't imagine using a nit comb on that beautiful hair!

Bubbleswithsqueak · 23/02/2023 12:59

A silk bonnet will be his friend! It should stop the tangles forming overnight.

Also some gel - weird as that might sound. I use Boucleme. Their shampoo and conditioner are also by far the best I've used but not cheap.

The gel is this: www.boucleme.co.uk/products/super-hold-styler

It isn't sticky or crusty - you run it through wet hair with your fingers, leave to air dry or diffuse, and then scrunch the crispness away. Keeps the curls lasting for days without knotting up.

Bubbleswithsqueak · 23/02/2023 13:00

PS don't use any silicon based products like frizz ease!

sussexman · 23/02/2023 14:56

Hi @imokithink My youngest DS and I also have long curly hair. I second the tangle teezer brush suggestion, although it does pull a bit so he might not be its biggest fan. I've come to the conclusion that I need to wash my hair (and brush when wet) at least every 2 days. I don't use anything other than Head and Shoulders though.

If he still wants his hair long in a couple of years though, nits will indeed be a nightmare. DS suffered from them so much more than his siblings :(

redspottedmug · 23/02/2023 16:21

My hairdresser swears by my little coco products from Boots. It's for kids.

GeorgiaGK · 23/02/2023 16:27

I don't have curly hair but recently got a brush called "wet brush". It's on Amazon for about £10 but it brushes my hair sooo much better than my old tangle teasers! x

Original poster

imokithink · 23/02/2023 17:45

Wow, thank you everyone for your responses! I'm going to have a proper read through and try out some of your advice.

I am definitely worried about nits. His little sister brought some home a few weeks ago, I have no idea how he managed to avoid them!!

OP posts:

stayathomer · 23/02/2023 17:53

Best of luck with the above advice op. We went from gorgeous curls to matted dreadlocks and nits so just advising quickly so keep on top of it (we were way too complacent although my ds prefers it short now)

Original poster

imokithink · 11/11/2023 18:44

I just thought I'd pop on and report back! Thank you for all of the advice, I think we've got a good combination of products and method going at the moment. I tend to wash his hair every 2 to 3 days with extra moisturising shampoo and conditioner and then we use Cantu cream and Boucleme gel (thank you to whoever recommended that, it's been brilliant!). We tie it up loosely overnight which has helped with the matting. This is a photo from today... It was washed 2 days ago and he went swimming this morning. He still loves his hair so I'm glad we've got it a bit more manageable!

OP posts:

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