Oiling children's hair: how to do it safely and gently

For most of us, the earliest memory of hair care is sitting between a parent's knees on a Sunday while warm oil was rubbed into our heads. Done gently, oiling is good for children's hair and a lovely ritual. Here is how to do it safely.

How old should a child be?

For babies under one, keep to plain oil recommended by your paediatrician and keep it off the face. From toddlerhood onwards, a gentle herbal oil like PureRoots Herbal Hair Oil is fine, with a patch test first.

Always patch test first

Dab a little oil on the inside of the child's forearm, wait 24 hours, and check for redness or itching. Do this with any new product, herbal or not.

How to oil a child's hair

1. Use far less than you would for yourself. Half a teaspoon is plenty for a young child.
2. Warm the oil slightly in your palms; never hot.
3. Massage very gently with your fingertips. Children's scalps are thinner and more sensitive.
4. Keep the oil away from the eyes and face.
5. Leave it for an hour or two, then wash with a mild shampoo like PureRoots Herbal Shampoo, keeping lather out of the eyes.
6. Once a week is enough.

School, sweat and lice

School-going children in Pakistan deal with dust, sweat under caps and dupattas, and the occasional lice outbreak.

• Wash hair every two to three days in summer, and after sports.
• Tie long hair back for school; it reduces tangling and lice transfer.
• Oil does not prevent or cure lice. If you find lice, use a proper lice treatment from the pharmacy and a fine comb, wash bedding, and tell the school. Oil can make combing out nits easier afterwards.
• Dandruff in children is usually from infrequent washing or a dry scalp. Gentle regular washing fixes most cases; see a doctor for thick scale or sores.

Make it a ritual

Let them choose a story or a song for champi time, keep it short, and stop if they are not enjoying it. A child who looks forward to oiling becomes an adult with good hair habits.