Black skin and hair care advice needed...

[TwinMominTX]

I recently adopted a 4 year old boy from Haiti. I knew from a friend that had adopted previously that black hair requires someone knowledgeable to cut it, but that's the extent of my black skin/hair knowledge!

 

1. How do I know if someone can cut black hair? He came to the US with a cute haircut and I've had it cut once here in the US and it doesn't look as good. They did something different in Haiti. What?

 

2. His skin gets very ashy and dry. Anything special lotion wise that I should be on the lookout for?

 

3. Do I need to do anything for little boo boos or scars? He got a minor scratch on his face a few weeks ago and it is still there. It is white and faded, but it seems like it is sticking around longer than a similar scratch on my daughter.

 

4. Every time I give him lotion to put on he also rubs it on his head. Obviously this is something that was taught to him. What should he be rubbing on his hair?

 

Thanks for any and all advice!

[StartingOver]

I recently adopted a 4 year old boy from Haiti. I knew from a friend that had adopted previously that black hair requires someone knowledgeable to cut it, but that's the extent of my black skin/hair knowledge!

 

1. How do I know if someone can cut black hair? He came to the US with a cute haircut and I've had it cut once here in the US and it doesn't look as good. They did something different in Haiti. What?

 

2. His skin gets very ashy and dry. Anything special lotion wise that I should be on the lookout for?

 

3. Do I need to do anything for little boo boos or scars? He got a minor scratch on his face a few weeks ago and it is still there. It is white and faded, but it seems like it is sticking around longer than a similar scratch on my daughter.

 

4. Every time I give him lotion to put on he also rubs it on his head. Obviously this is something that was taught to him. What should he be rubbing on his hair?

 

Thanks for any and all advice!

 

My grandson is mixed. My daughter uses Olive Oil on his hair because it is a bit course.

 

For skin my dil has her use Vasoline intensive care on his skin, there is one with no fragrance ! Baby oil after a shower when they are still wet helps a lot too.

 

I would call around to find a hair dresser, or ask someone to recommend someone. My grandsons hair is harder than my daughters ( both have curly hair ) to cut, because it is more course. So it must be done right.

 

We treat all his little cuts with neosporin. Cocoa butter after the skin has closed.

 

I am sure others will have suggestions too.

[Dobela]

my message in blue.

I recently adopted a 4 year old boy from Haiti. I knew from a friend that had adopted previously that black hair requires someone knowledgeable to cut it, but that's the extent of my black skin/hair knowledge! I am white and my children are black. The hair has been a real learning experience!

1. How do I know if someone can cut black hair? He came to the US with a cute haircut and I've had it cut once here in the US and it doesn't look as good. They did something different in Haiti. What? I actually started asking people on the street where they got their hair cut, if they knew a good person for children, and found a wonderful black barber just a few blocks from me. He has been a God send! He has recommended products, shown me how to care for it, and just been so helpful. When he cuts any mans hair, he always picks it out into a big afro (depending on the length) before using the razor. I noticed that white barbers didn't do that and I think that explains why my son's hair would look uneven after a day or 2. Another place to ask around and find a store that carries lots of black products. Interestingly here those stores are all owned by Asians. The selection is way better. My son and dd need different products for their hair because the nap is different. So, while you ask around, it may be that what someone recommends won't work for your son and you will have to keep trying. My son doesn't like much oil/lotion on his head and rarely uses it. Since it is impossible long if you don't keep it moisturized, we keep his cut very short (a 'low' cut).

 

2. His skin gets very ashy and dry. Anything special lotion wise that I should be on the lookout for? You need heavy lotions, like eucerine to keep them moisturized. And you have to use it every day after bathing.

 

3. Do I need to do anything for little boo boos or scars? He got a minor scratch on his face a few weeks ago and it is still there. It is white and faded, but it seems like it is sticking around longer than a similar scratch on my daughter. Cocoa butter works nicely, Vitamin E as well. The reason it looks white is because the pigment has not returned to the skin yet.

 

4. Every time I give him lotion to put on he also rubs it on his head. Obviously this is something that was taught to him. What should he be rubbing on his hair? Yes, they need to put lotion on their hair and scalp. White hair gets oilier every day where black hair and scalps literally do the opposite - they get drier. Without it the scalps becomes itchy, and the hair very fragile. Most friends here like Pink or Motions brand hair lotions. Here those are easily found at WalMart and the Dollar Stores. I personally prefer the Kids Organics Shea Butter because it doesn't contain all the petroleum products but I have to buy that from the AA store.

 

There is also a yahoo group especially for this called adoptionhair_skincare . It is a very large group of adoptive parents (most children from Haiti or Africa). They have tons of advice and area great group of people. In the initial email they send is a long list of things to know about hair and skin care.

 

<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/adoptionhair_skincare/join">

<img src="http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/yg/img/i/us/ui/join.gif"

style="border: 0px;"

alt="Click to join adoptionhair_skincare"/>

<p>Click to join adoptionhair_skincare</p>

</a>

 

Thanks for any and all advice!

[FaithManor]

My friend has three adopted children but all from different countries. She found they all needed different commercial products but did find three natural things that worked.

 

For topical booboos she uses honey. It helps things heal quickly and is naturally moisturizing. It is a bit sticky so they go through a lot of bandaids.

 

For skin, she gets "Spectrum" organic palm oil shortening and coconut oil. She puts a cup of each in the blender and runs it until its very fluffy. She puts this on their hands, legs, elbows, and feet. They wear mittens and socks to bed during the winter which is when their skin is the dryest.

 

I think she uses olive oil on their hair.

 

I have also heard that the apricot oil from Burt's Bees works.

 

Faith

[E_Edgerton]

I would try the Carol's Daughter line of products. They are great for every hair and skin type, but I believe they were inspired for dark hair and skin. They are also natural, I think they even recently removed all sulfates. Best of luck with you new little one.:)

[Vanna]

I recently adopted a 4 year old boy from Haiti. I knew from a friend that had adopted previously that black hair requires someone knowledgeable to cut it, but that's the extent of my black skin/hair knowledge!

 

1. How do I know if someone can cut black hair? He came to the US with a cute haircut and I've had it cut once here in the US and it doesn't look as good. They did something different in Haiti. What?

 

Dobela already gave great advice so I'll just chime in with agreement here. You must find a barber who regularly cuts black hair. My boys are bi-racial and they both have completely different hair types (one is coarse, like my natural hair and the other has tight curls). I was taking them to Supercuts training studio to try and save a little $$, but they don't train them how to cut ethnic hair (and hence my boys rarely had a good haircut). We've started going to the barber again.

 

My oldest son prefers a "temp" with pointed side burns and the younger I just ask for a Caesar with the front and sides all cleaned up.

 

2. His skin gets very ashy and dry. Anything special lotion wise that I should be on the lookout for?

 

Eucerin or Vaseline Cocoa Butter lotion (my personal fave).

 

3. Do I need to do anything for little boo boos or scars? He got a minor scratch on his face a few weeks ago and it is still there. It is white and faded, but it seems like it is sticking around longer than a similar scratch on my daughter.

 

Neosporin? Cocoa butter could be good too.

 

4. Every time I give him lotion to put on he also rubs it on his head. Obviously this is something that was taught to him. What should he be rubbing on his hair?

 

Hee, hee! I don't know but that must be too cute to watch:D. Youngest ds is showering himself nowadays, but I used to lotion him from neck to toes after showering him. Some ethnic skin types tend to be drier.

 

I sometimes use a spray sheen on my youngest son's hair. It's a light oil in an aerosol can (many different companies make it, you can find it at a beauty supply store like Sally's). There are even olive oil types. I like it the best because it gives moisture and sheen w/o being too greasy.

 

Hope this was a bit helpful. Blessings to you and your family!

[MaMa2005]

My friend has two children adopted from Ethiopia. She came up with this concoction and says it is dynamite for ALL of their skin and hair.

 

Whipped Shea Butter for Hair and Skin

Makes about 4 cups

 

6-8 oz organic unrefined shea butter (I get mine from Butters-N-Bars)

1/2 cup organic coconut oil (you can get this at natural grocery stores or online here)

2 tablespoons organic olive oil

1 tablespoon cornstarch (this gives it a less greasy feel on your skin)

1/2 teaspoon of Thieves essential oil (rule of thumb: if you can't ingest it, don't use it on your skin)

 

Scoop the shea butter into a glass Pyrex measuring cup or glass bowl.

Melt in microwave (gentle heat, don't boil!) I use 1 min 30 sec, power 5 on my micro. The reason (so I've read) for gentle heat and only 5 min in the fridge (you'll read that later) is because the shea will get a bit gritty if you over heat/cool it. Not that big of a deal really--the 'grit' will melt in your hands like the rest of it.)

 

Add in the coconut oil, olive oil, and cornstarch and whisk until incorporated and fully melted. The heat of the shea butter will melt the coconut oil.

 

Pour mixture into bowl of your stand mixer. Use the whisk attachment. Turn mixer on level 6 and whip for 15-20 minutes until it begins to 'trace' (Some people describe the "trace" as a little mound of soap that takes a second or two to disappear back into the mix. You can see the whisk leaving lines/tiny ropes across the top of the mixture). Don't stress about this idea--if it's whipped 20 minutes you're fine!

 

Take the bowl off the mixer and stick it in the fridge for 5 minutes.

 

Take it back out and back onto the mixer. Mix on level 10 for another 15-20 minutes. Add essential oil and mix another minute or two. You're done! Scoop into glass containers (I use Pyrex or Anchor 2 cup glass bowls with rubber lids. One goes upstairs and one stays downstairs.)

[Momto5]

Dobela gave some great advice but I'll give you my 2 cents as well.

 

For skin, I encourage you to find a dermatologist that specializes in ethnic skin care. Even if you don't need the doctor much after an initial consultation, I have found it very helpful as my children have grown older and I have had questions about caring for their skin. It's a drag to need help quickly, only to have to wait 3 months for a new patient appointment. At the first visit, ask the dermatologist what he/she recommends for YOUR child's skin in the climate where you live. I have 3 bi-racial children and different lotions work best for each child. The doctor can also help you with questions regarding wound care, sun screen, scalp care, frequency of bathing, etc.

 

As for hair, I also recommend you work to find a barber/hairstylist that is experienced in caring for ethnic hair. Just as there is no such thing as "typical white hair" there is no such thing as "typical black hair." Each person's hair is different and will need different levels of moisture, etc. If you need a list of resources, consider asking your adoption agency or contacting an adoption agency in your community.

 

Good luck to you and congratulations!

[asta]

I second Carol's Daughter.

 

One thing I would say to absolutely avoid is anything with sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate in it. It is the death knell for coarse hair. Ask me how I know...

 

 

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