It’s a question that crosses the minds of many a black mother, should I put a perm in my daughter’s hair. This question becomes even more pressing if your daughter has thick, kinky hair. And if she’s tender headed you feel like a monster every time you even think about washing or combing it. If you’re a parent considering putting a relaxer in your child’s hair, make sure you can answer these questions first.
1. Did she ask for it?
If your child isn’t old enough to recognize the difference between relaxed and natural hair, if she hasn’t had a chance to come to terms with her hair as it grows out of her head, you may want to give her the chance to know that part of herself before you chemically alter her hair. It takes longer to make the transition back to her natural state once a relaxer has been introduced.
2. Do you know your daughter’s hair type?
If you decide to give her a perm, how often will she need it done. Does she have the type of hair that needs to be touched up once every four weeks or less than that? Is her hair sensitive to change, does it break easily? These are questions you’ll need to answer before you decide to process her hair. Even if you know the answers to these questions, a relaxer will change the structure of her hair and it may behave completely differently.
3. Can you afford to have it professionally done?
If you aren’t sure that you’ll be able to consistently have your child’s hair touched up, this definitely isn’t the solution. The key to maintaining healthy, relaxed hair is keeping a routine. If things come up and you have to cut back in some areas will your child’s hair be one of those corners you cut?
