How to Treat Dry Hair on a 6-Year-Old Girl

Dry winter air, chemical treatments and hair dryers can wreak havoc on a 6-year old girl's fine hair. Dry hair can be unsightly, lackluster and brittle, as well as difficult to manage. While curly hair is naturally prone to dryness, styling practices, such as braiding, curling hair with a hot iron or wearing barrettes that pinch can cause stress to the child's hair strands, causing them to break or even fall out. Gentle, child-safe products are essential when preserving and protecting dry locks. Simple changes in bathing and grooming habits can help correct and prevent hair damage.

Shampoo less often. The American Academy of Dermatologists indicates that children between the ages of 6 and 11 should bathe at least twice a week, but more frequently when necessary. If your child's hair becomes dry, washing her hair less often may help it recover natural oils and shine.

Add a leave-in conditioner to her bathing regimen. A kid-safe leave-in conditioner can be applied to wet hair, worked throughout from hair roots to tips and left to dry. Leave-in conditioners help prevent tangles, according to Kids' Hair Inc.

Use a de-tangling spray to protect your child's hair shafts from tangles. Kids' Hair Inc. recommends the liberal use of de-tanglers on wet or dry hair and on wardrobe items, such as hats, jacket hoods and car seats. De-tangling sprays coat the hair shaft and enable easy tangle removal for tear-free maintenance.

Avoid hair dryers and other high-heat devices. Curling irons and hair dryers can damage the hair shaft and even cause the hair to fall out, according to KidsHealth. Letting a 6-year-old girl's hair dry naturally or opting to use a hair dryer with a cool air setting will prevent the hair strands from drying out.

Tips

Make sure your child's hair is dry before combing it out. Wrap or cover the child's hair with a towel, but don't rub it dry. Wet hair is prone to breakage. Use barrettes and braids sparingly. Braids, ponytails and barrettes that are applied too snugly to a child's hair can cause it to break and fall out. Avoid using chemicals to straighten, dye, bleach or perm your child's hair.

Warnings

Chronically dry hair may indicate a serious health condition or nutritional deficiency. If dry hair persists, consult a licensed pediatrician to rule out potential health risks.