By Sam Escobar, Good Housekeeping
If your kid is begging you for streaks of funky shades in their hair, you may be tempted to give in. It's just a little color, you think, what could be the harm?
Well, depending on how you opt to achieve said streaks, you may need to
reconsider your decision. We spoke to the experts to get the lowdown on
when it's safe to dye your child's hair.
[post_ads]"I
really don't think it's safe to dye or bleach a child's hair until
after puberty, and ideally not until their late teens — at least 16,"
advises Dr. Sejal Shah, a New York dermatological surgeon and RealSelf contributor. Here's the deal: Children tend to have much finer hair
than adults, and since hair dye and bleach can be damaging, a
child's immature hair is much more susceptible to damage. Because
kids' hair goes through so many changes from birth to puberty, Dr. Shah
warns that their hair — and skin, for that matter — are more sensitive
and therefore more likely to experience reactions.
These
reactions can be caused by the actual contents of the hair products.
"The chemicals are harsh and can damage hair," explains board-certified
dermatologist Dr. Margarita Lolis. "Ammonia,
hydrogen peroxide, and a chemical known as paraphenylenediamine that's
commonly used in permanent hair dye can cause very bad reactions."
Plus, these chemicals can alter the texture of your child's hair, so
even if you just meant to change the color, you could wind up messing
with its entire appearance.
On top of these chemicals potentially leading to negative reactions on the hair and scalp, Eva Scrivo Salons
owner and hair expert Eva Scrivo says there's another potential risk to
worry about. "Fumes can be a factor, especially if the child has
asthma," she warns.
If
you're planning on doing your kid's hair yourself, Dr. Shah advises
sticking with nonpermanent colors. "These temporary colors just coat the
hair shaft and do not penetrate it as a dye would," she says, adding
that there are also dye alternatives like herbs and tea which can impart
color onto the hair. If you absolutely must dye your child's hair, Dr.
Shah recommends using an off-scalp application like cap highlights and a
semi-permanent dye — and always doing a patch test first to check for allergies.
Want to go to a salon for your child's hairstyle? Scrivo suggests the balayage technique
rather than an all-over shade change or foils. "Balayage is a more
gentle approach to highlighting, as opposed to foils which can be a
strong heat conductor and can quickly dehydrate hair," she explains. "If
done properly, the bleach does not have direct contact with the
scalp." This gives you the opportunity to explore vivid colors like pastels, which will fade and eventually wash out over three to four weeks' time.
[post_ads_2]
Other
temporary options can be great for kids, too. "I give lots of kids
bright color tips, but only with the approval of the parent — and the
kid is usually 'camp age' or older," says Paul Labrecque, hair guru and
owner of Paul Labrecque Salon and Spa. "Color chalk is the safest way to incorporate fun hues
like pink, blue, green, and more — no pre-bleaching is required to use
them." He notes that a few tips or highlights is all anyone reputable
would do, so be wary if anyone suggests coloring or bleaching your kid's
whole head.
If you
have a young child and you're debating coloring their hair, talk to
their pediatrician first about potential risk factors.
See More:
- This "Blonde Wand" Claims to Lighten Your Hair in Seconds
- Holographic Hair Is the Latest Trend to Take Over Instagram
- 65+ Hair Color Trends You Need to Know for 2017
