Some parents worry about the growth of their baby's hair is thin or little. Many then shave off their children's hair because it is said that this will make the hair grow thicker. Is this assumption true or is it just a myth?
Until now, not a few parents still believe in the assumption that their child's hair will grow thick after being shaved. Unfortunately, this assumption is just a myth because until now there is no strong evidence to support it.
Please note that the texture, color, and pattern of baby hair growth are independent of the shaving process. The type of hair a child has depends on genetic, ethnic, and hormonal factors.
Baby Hair Thickness Change
Generally, the thickness of the baby's hair will continue to change until the age of 1 year. It is possible that at birth a baby has thick and thick hair, but a few months later the hair falls out and thins out. This can be caused by hormonal factors.
Another factor that can also make the baby's hair fall out is the baby's position on his back. This position causes the baby's head to rub a lot with the mattress, resulting in loss of the back of the head area.
But don't worry, the hair loss will reduce by itself when the baby starts to lift his head and roll over. Baby's hair will usually grow back around 6 months of age, although some babies will grow thicker hair by 3 years of age or older.
How to make baby hair grow healthy after shaving
If your little one's hair has already been shaved, that's not a problem either. how come. There are several ways that can be done to help baby hair growth after shaving, including:
- Provide exclusive breast milk (ASI) accompanied by a healthy and balanced mother's diet
- Give him complementary foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals after he enters the age of 6 months for hair growth and overall development
- Gently massage the scalp using olive oil or baby oil to stimulate blood circulation in the scalp, so that the hair roots get maximum nutrition.
Tips for Maintaining Baby's Hair Health
Whatever the hair type, the most important thing is to pay attention to the cleanliness and health of your little one's hair. Here's how to keep baby's hair healthy so it doesn't get damaged:
Shampoo as needed
Babies under 6 months usually don't have a lot of oil on their scalp, so they don't need to wash their hair every day and only once a week is enough. As you get older, you can wash your hair more often or whenever your hair starts to get oily.
This also applies to babies whose hair has not grown, yes. Even if the baby's hair is very little or even none at all, shampooing still needs to be done to avoid the risk of forming crusts (cradle cap).
Prevent frizz
Generally, thick and curly hair will tend to tangle easily. If your little one's hair is like this, try giving him a special baby conditioner after shampooing. Don't forget to brush your hair first with a soft comb before rinsing off the conditioner.
Avoid excessive accessories
Sometimes some excited mothers want to attach accessories to their daughter's hair. However, excessive accessories on the little one's head have the potential to injure his scalp. So, be careful, okay?
In addition, avoid ponytailing baby's hair under 1 year old because ponytails that are too tight can cause hair to fall out. Locking hair should only be done after the age of 2-3 years.
Whatever your little one's hair type, there is no need to worry about the thickness of his hair, especially until he has shaved it off, as long as the cleanliness and health of the hair is always maintained. However, if until the age of 3 years your little one's hair does not feel healthy and thick, there is nothing wrong with consulting a doctor about this.
