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This topic came up in one of the many forums I am in so I would love to hear your input!
How do you feel about added hair pieces, extensions, weaves, any form of "fake hair", etc. being used on children?
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Q.O.T.W: How do you feel about hair extensions/weave being used on children?
This topic came up in one of the many forums I am in so I would love to hear your input!
How do you feel about added hair pieces, extensions, weaves, any form of "fake hair", etc. being used on children?
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Wow! And this is just my personal opinion, I think fake hair in children is a bit much. I believe it starts the process of them not appreciating their own hair length/texture/color.
ReplyDeleteI think it's unnecessary. A little girl can have a cute style without the added extras. If her hair isn't long enough for a particular style, try something else!!
ReplyDeleteOnly way I see Kimora wearing fake hair if she is in some type of show or the runway and thats the look for the night.. otherwise makes no sense...
ReplyDeleteIf you had asked me this question before my daughter came home, I would have staunchly said, "no way." But now that I have a girl whose hair (and my skills) challenge me I'm not so sure. We just finished a month of yarn extensions which I completely loved and will do again. For us, this hair style gives me a chance to not over manipulate my daughter's damaged hair. Regular styles just don't last more than 4 days or so for a number of reasons. So the yarn gives her hair a break from having to take down/put up hair. It also is nice from a convenience point of view. The yarn is very low maintence, similar to mature dreadlocks. My son has locs and one of the reasons we have locs is because of the convenience factor. my daughter's hair will probably be locked (I'm guessing) but right now it's not healthy enough and is not long enough. So for us the yarn braids aren't that much different than locs. I think my personal standard is the why behind it. I am someone who wants my kids to not be consumed by their appearance. I want them to believe that we need to use our time, talent and treasures in ways that honor God and that if our hair care starts taking over any of these (spending too much money, spending too much time, wasting our God given beauty) then we have something out of whack.
ReplyDeleteI am an adoptive mother of 2 and last year every African American woman we came in contact with told me that I needed to have their hair done in extension braids. I felt pressured to do so and took the girl to a hair salon that specialized in them. My babies were only 2 at the time and it was a horrendous experience and we won't be going back there again. They cried the entire time. A hot iron was used and you could smell the burning hair. It also made my girls look much older than their 2 years of age. They were cute but it isn't something we feel is necessary at this stage in their life. I won't ever feel obligated again to oblige people I don't even know. I know my girls and their hair best and until they are old enough to make decisions on their own, we will not be using extensions.
ReplyDeleteI don't really like fake hair on children exept in special circumstances.
ReplyDeleteWhen my daughter was 9, the orphanage had shaved off all 24+ inches of her hair the week before I picked her up :(. She was devestated and begged non-stop for hair. When her hair was 2 inches long we let her get cornrows with fake hair. She was so glad to have "long hair" for 6 weeks.
Once the braids were out, her hair was about 4.5 inches long and I could cornrow it and she has been happy ever since.
We talk about the affects of fake hair, straightning and coloring all the time and she understands. She also knows that the reason that we allowed her to have extensions for 6 weeks was because of her self-confidence. She came to America, couldn't speak English, had no hair and was expected to fit into a typical 3rd grade class.
I understand how she felt about being bald. When I was 8, I had brain surgery and my hair, that reached mid-back, was shaved off. I recieved a wig and it boosted my self-confidence at school tremendously until my hair grew back a bit.
I let my girls get braided cornrows from time to time with hair added and they both have long healthy hair. They don't get as fuzzy as their real hair and is much easier to take out. They are 12 and have been asking for single braids for the summer. I haven't decided if I will let them. I don't want them to look too mature.
ReplyDeleteKnowing what I know now, I do not think that extension braids, weaves or wigs are good for kids. They are ok as occassional style but when a parent uses them on the child all the time, it is essentially sending the child the message that their hair:
ReplyDelete1. Is not managable without extensions
2. IS not pretty enough without it
3. Cannot grow long
I think it is important for kids to learn early own that curly hair is beautiful and can grow to any length. Kids also need to learn that hair care for curly hair does require time, effort and patience.
As an adult I do dedicate 3-4 hours every two weeks just to detangle my hair. I do this because I love my hair and it is a huge part of my identity. I also managed to go through school and get a BSc and a PhD. So my dedication to my hair certainly did not stop or hinder my dedication to education.
Side note - People who put weaves on kids are on another level. I am not talking cute little pink clip ons, I am talking full head weave. I hate that so so much! I have seen a 6 month old baby with a weave, it makes me so mad.
In my opinion, I think it's no needed for young children. It's too heavy on their scalps which causes lots of tension. I saw a mother with a child that wasn't walking with extensions...as she carried her,her little head was just leaning back. I felt so sorry for that baby. Now, once a girl becomes 13 years old...maybe. Hopefully, by then she is taught about the beauty of her natural hair and that extensions would only be to allow her hair some needed rest from styling and it's just a different style for the moment as long as they aren't tight.
ReplyDeleteOn another note...I have been asked if my boys had extensions, mostly Bae Bae Because he goes everywhere with me and I'm so outdone when they
ask. I'm like what, are you serious? From what they say, they have seen boys with added hair...I mean come on. Parents now a days seem to worry about whose hair is longer instead is my child healthy. I must say I did not see this coming amongst boys. I'm always being told by other parents, "my son hair was longer than his, when my son had hair." It's so annoying to see how "HAIR" is sooo important to parents but not in a good way.
I don't like extensions on young children. It's very common to see in the Black community, but I tend to not like it. I probably would not let my daughter wear them unless she was like, 17 and wanted them for prom or something. For girls with very little hair, like bald spots from a medical condition or a relaxer, I see nothing wrong with it until the hair grows out. I had a half inch of hair i nthe back as a kid becuase my mom put a relaxer in it. I was tired of being humiliated and taunted about it at school, so she put braided extensions in it, and it saved me from being called names and having the back of my head thumped every day.
ReplyDeleteWhile I see there are some valid reasons to style hair in temporary yarn braids, fake hair of any type is not something I would choose for my girls. I want my girls to love and appreciate what they have. I never want my daughters to think their hair isn't beautiful as is.
ReplyDeleteI have seen a mother with her looked to be 8 month old daughter with a weave. Now this little girl only had hair on the top of her head and there was a piece added to it to make it longer. I was so shocked that I had to ask about it...mom replied,she needed to put it in because her daughter was having pictures taken. What sense does that make? People are so worried about who has "good" hair and whose hair is longer than the next person. I just don't understand why someone would put weave in a child's hair unnecessarily. When I say "unnecessarily", I mean for some medical condition or something. I wouldn't put anything in my daughter's hair, but people will do what they want to with their children.
ReplyDeleteI personally don't like it and it set ups a complex early on for girls to be insecure about their hair. Not all things out of convenience are healthy ones, like relaxers or shaving a little girls head.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think it's even moreso damaging when the child has like 5 inches of damaged hair and then the child has a weave that is like halfway down their back. like really?
And since we are talking little black girls here most when they get a certain age are wanting straighter styles and feeling like their hair isn't 'pretty' like some of their other friends so why validate that negative emotion with extensions?
I vote no. Forever and ever. Learn how to do your child's hair and it will grow.
I would never use extensions on my daughter's hair if her hair was short. I know extensions make finer hair look better in braids etc and it looks nice if done tastefully but i just dont like it on a small child. Especially if its excessively long.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the intent behind it. I know a little girl that has braids in my daughter's swim class, and I can honestly say I wish I would have done it. Makes it easier for rinsing and keeping the scalp healthy. And as far as I know she has hair, so it's not like her Mom is trying to make her think more hair or long hair is better.
ReplyDeleteNow if you have a little girl whose hair is not growing and she is two and you think weave will make her hair grow and you are getting her micros put in every chance you get that's torture. Because the weight of weave itself wears down your natural hair and it doesn't make it grow like some people think. I have seen school age girls with weave attached to their pigtails, and it makes me sad, but again to each their own.
I don't think it is necessary. But I have never felt the need to use them, I'm sure other moms would find it to be a benefit. I guess to each their own. I don't see us using it any time soon.
ReplyDeleteone word: unnecessary.
ReplyDeleteI use fake hair on my children from time to time. When Mariah chopped all her hair off I kept it in braids with extentions and it grew so quick. I also let her wear clip on pony tails when her hair was growing out. I did this in hopes she would appriciate longer hair and not cut her hair again. I guess it worked because she has not cut her hair again. My oldest Keirstyn I put braided extentions in for when she goes to camp because it last longer and she doesnt have to worry about it. I have also in the past let her put colored extentions in because were we live children her age are dyeing their hair. I tell keirstyn she is lucky because if she wants hilights she can just braid them in. As far as the Cailin and her bad experience with a braider not all are like that hair dresser and find someone who will not hurt your child. Their are some good braiders and bad ones out their. As far as some of you stating it teaches the child not to appriciate their natural hair I think it teaches our children how easy it is to change their look. Let me just say I am talking about breaided extentions not glued in weave.
ReplyDeleteI say no..... I mean my daughter has asked me to let her get some in her hair and I am like no way. I have let her wear some wigs around the house and she also does dance where they wear some hair pieces. But just to put it in her hair, no!
ReplyDeleteNow I will say that there are children out there with certain conditions that may make their hair fall out or not grow at all. In that case I would get a special made with or something like that to put her at ease. People can be so mean sometimes and make fun on kids and therefore I would not submit my child to that.
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ReplyDeleteExtensions as in for braids I can understand for little girls over a certain age like 6 but weave I do not believe is for children. Please mothers learnhow to take care of your children's hair and stop making them look way older than they are and looking a hot mess. I have seen a little girl probably about 4 with a lace front wig on and I just couldn't believe it.
ReplyDeleteI have seen young girls wearing hair pieces, extensions etc.. and I think it definitely makes little girls look older. I personally will not use them I think they are unnecessary for us.
ReplyDeletei second what honeysmoke said... personally, outside of some extenuating circumstances i find it unnecessary under every occasion
ReplyDeleteI also believe it's a thing that most women say is "in style" as if we are talking about a pair of jeans.
ReplyDeleteI think it's VERY important for children to embrace the hair they were born with. That's hard to do when parents decide to cover it up with extensions/weave.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, my daughter is 10 years old and has hair that is nearly waist length, so I never even thought about adding hair for length. But now that she's getting old enough to develop her own style, she decided she wants color sometimes. We just choose whatever color of yarn she wants (usually purple) and add them to some of her box braids. It gives her style a fun twist that shows her personality without hiding her hair's natural beauty.
I braid my 3 year old daughters hair with Kanekalon braiding hair on occasion and I only make it 1/4 inch longer than her natural hair (which is a nice length and heathy) mostly in the summer months when she is constantly in water. Its my opinion that extensions for children is ok occasionally as long as its done tastefully . . . I saw a lil girl about 6 maybe 7 with extensions down to her bum and they were much lighter than her hair, I completely disagree with over doing it.
ReplyDeleteMy oldest daughter (7)has had cornrows with hair added a few times of year For the past 2-3 years. I am very careful to only allow someone who does kids hair do it. I keep her scalp clean and moisturized while the braids are in. She loves it because in the beginning her hair wasn't long enough for many styles (especially the ponytail she so desperately wanted). I have usually done it before a special occasion to help achieve a certain look or before we go on vacation. I have also put buns on the back for her dance recital when they need a ballerina bun and her hair wasn't long enough. So I say it is okay in moderation for special occasions and as long as the child's hair is maintained while it is in. However I would probably avoid weaves or sew ins, if it can't be achieved with braid extensions that we would probably have a real issue.
ReplyDeleteI would not personally use extensions in my daughters hair. There are children who look very adorable with them (extensions) in however, I dont think it is necessary, sometimes its too much it anything
ReplyDeleteI personally at this point would not use extension or weaves - that said however a white relative of mine gave my daughter a fake clip on braided ponytail - my daughter loves it however i only let her wear it on the odd occassion and never for more than a couple of hours at a time i find that it's too heavy for her hair.
ReplyDeleteI just think that it's completely unnecessary. Children should be taught to love what they have and maybe when they are old enough to make decisions for their own they can do what they want to with their hair. My little girl will NEVER wear extensions or any kind of fake hair. Her hair is very long as it is.
ReplyDeleteI think it's very unnecessary. They are way to young for that. and i think it shows them not to appreciate their own hair, because they have to have fake in it. something must be wrong with their hair, to get fake hair.
ReplyDeleteI guess to each is own,
ReplyDeletebut for me, id say its a no no, because it actually does affect children in the long run.
my best friend who i grew up with has beautiful hair, (or i guess had) but growing up her mother usually gave her weaves, which i never understood, because once again her hair was wonderful, but now as a young adult not only does she not know how to care for her hair, she also hates it and can’t go a day without straightening it.
But I guess the age has a role to play in it also,
Because she was pretty young when she started getting weaves. But I think older children can deal with it if it’s something that the child want, and they can actually be great as protective styles.
I don't think it is appropriate for any children. Once they get older and if they feel they want to try something, that is up to them. Of course, I am talking when my children are over 18.
ReplyDeleteI am looking into getting a full lace wig for myself. Just to wear for a couple months since my hair is in the awkward growing out phase.
I'm against weave/fake hair for my own daughters. They never have and will never wear weave or extensions. We are a house full of long hair but we also have thin strands, so weave/fake hair would only cause traction alopecia or breakage and is not needed to make any styles. But, even when my daughters were little and had no hair to speak of I never was tempted. I just always felt I could wait until they had 4 or so inches of their own hair that could be braided up itself.
ReplyDeleteI have always been weary of fake hair after I got 8 cornrows with extensions, believing it to be a protective style for growing my MBL hair out to WL, and got extreme itches and lost hair in the temple area--even when the braider braided very loosely! So, it's always "no" in our home for fake hair.
For someone else's child, I won't actively impose my opinion on people in person or on the net. However, I don't think weave/extensions should be used on very young kids hair, like definitely not under age 5. It puts too much pressure on the scalp and hair follicles and most braiders braid too tight. I've seen too many little girls, almost all under 5, with permenant traction alopecia baldness. And, its sad because it is a form of hair loss that is completely preventable and much common amoungst African-American girls.
Unequivocally NO.
ReplyDeleteAgainst it. I can see special circumstances but it's not for us. I think it's important as a mom to encourage my child to love every part of herself with nothing added.
ReplyDeleteI support it. There are ways to do it so it's not tacky, or "white-washing" or whatever. My mom used to braid my hair with extensions probably from when I was 4 or so years old. She would do it in a coupld hour spurts over a weekend (from when i got home from school on friday to sunday night) and I would not have to worry about m hair for months at a time (yes i used to keep my braids in for 2+ months.) I could swim like the other girls, play in the rain, sleep wherever/however I wanted and It was fine. Granted this was the 90's so thick braids with synthetic hair was kind of in style (yes, with the burnt tips too lol) but I think that when I have children there is NO WAY Im going to be dedicating four hours a week to doing their hair... Its just an issue of taste to make sure that the style chosen is age appropriate
ReplyDeleteMy daughter wears cornrowed extensions. I'm very careful with her hair and keep it moisturized and wrapped when we are not out. She loves them but she loves her hair without them too. Her hair has grown a lot. Where it was about 2 inches it's now to the middle of her back. In between styles I usually leave it out for a week or two. Because I take care of it, she doesn't experience breakage or bald spots. My daughter is 9 and was 7 the first time she got it done. I work with her stylist to make sure it's not too tight. I don't like seeing extensions on very small girls though.
ReplyDeleteFor me, adding those hair extension, weaves, etc really depends on the situation. Just in case my little girl will be acting as a fairy or whatever role that requires them, maybe that's the time I'm going to see her wearing those. Otherwise, it nonsense at all.
ReplyDeleteWe have had age appropriate extensions for the last three months. My daughter (5) is happy with her natural hair, and also loves the extensions. For me it is totally an issue of how long the style will last. I have terrible wrist hand hand issues. Within twenty minutes of doing hair, I can't feel my finger tips and afterward I am in serious pain for a week. Having the extensions put in saves me pain, and they last a good while. Any other style only lasts for a week on her, and she hates daily combing. Plus it is so much easier for her for swimming and it's easier to get the inevitable dirt and sand from her scalp and hair.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think we would all do well to stop concerning ourselves with how other parents style their child's hair, and just worry about our own children. I have taken a lot of grief over the fact that I want to start locs on my daughter. What no one knows or understands is how incredibly painful it is for me to do her hair. The expense of monthly trips to the salon is ridiculous. As a result, I have put off for a year now what I know would be best for our family. If the parents are happy and the child is happy, what does it matter if the rest of the general pubic agrees with the choice.
Their are pros and cons to EVERY hairstyle choice.
With the risk of offending some, I have to say too that my daughter accepting who she is and how she looks goes way beyond her being proud of her natural hair. Yes, that's a part of it, but I believe it to be a miniscule part. Every woman, regardless of race has to come to grips with their hair, body, teeth, thighs...ect. We hope to instill in her that TRUE beauty comes from within....everything else is truly meaningless in the long run.
Nothing wrong with looking your best, but when it turns into an obsession (which can happen with any hairstyle) it's unhealthy.
Just my two cents.
I have done my 4.5 year old daughters hair in yarn braids going as long as her natural hair length which was shoulder length- she was able to wear her hair in pigtails and a pony tail. I spend hours on her hair every week and I love it and she loves all the different things that her hair can do. Yarn braids are just something else that she can do with her hair while keeping it in its natural state.
ReplyDeleteI understand that not everyone agrees with the fake hair but I think that for us it works. She loves her hair in an afro, in cornrows, in twists and in the yarn braids and I think that as long as my daughter loves her hair and the various styles that her hair can do then I feel good about it.
Courtney
I, like others, totally understand special circumstances.
ReplyDeleteWould I use extensions/weave/fake hair on my children? No. Even when A's hair was short it never crossed my mind.
That being said, I have seen some of the most adorable children who just so happened to have extensions. I think it can be done tastefully, however, it can also be a bit too much. If your childs hair is lets say shoulder length (example), and they have extensions going almost past their butt, I think that's when it becomes a problem. I feel like that decision is usually solely based on the parents preference for longer hair and not the child.
Also, sometimes for children with sensitive scalps, all that extra weight does nothing but irritate it. So I think parents should be aware if their child has a sensitive scalp, if the braids are too tight, if the hair is too heavy, etc.
I remember when I was browsing babycenter last year and I came across some photos of an adorable little girls 1st birthday party. Her party looked like TONS of fun, the decorations were absolutely beautiful, however I couldn't help but notice the extensions that were flowing all the way down her back. It was just way too much.
So that's just my opinion. I will say I have learned something new-- hair being braided with extensions lasts longer- I wasn't aware of that.
Thank you all for your comments. I like hearing other peoples perspective on things.
At the risk of sounding arrogant, I've never seen fake hair that is as beautiful as my daughter's natural hair. Now that I think of it, I've never seen fake hair looking as good as anybody's natural, well-cared-for hair.
ReplyDeleteI also heard the extensions helps your hair grow. Is that true? I've seen some people with the same weave box braids for MONTHS and the reason, so their hair can grow. After the braids are removed, I don't see much of a difference in their length.
ReplyDeleteThere are some VERY expensive weave that is made from real hair (the one that celebrities use)and you would never be able to tell the difference. Same for kids with extensions (braids), if its done well, you would never be able to tell.
ReplyDeleteI've had braided extensions put in my hair since I was 3; individuals and cornrows. I'm now 19 and believe because my hair was always in extensions that is the reason it is now 17 inches.
ReplyDeleteI believe if the style is age appropriate, easy to manage, and can benefit your hair then a child should be able to have extensions.
As far as tracks go, that's something that should not be put in a childs head. I think that should be saved for 16+.
well i don't like fake hair
ReplyDeletei prefer for my children is straight and long hair
Nikki,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100% its all on the parents. And yes I have seen nice hair styles with extensions, but have also seen a 2 1/2 year old with hair down to her waist which I think its too much.
I have allowed my 6 year old to wear extensions a handful of times, and will allow her to do it again on occasion (once or twice a year max). She has medium length natural hair which she loves and is proud of. She likes extensions as something FUN and different from time to time, similar to how her "white" friends may get 1 strip of highlight put in, or colour their hair with Kool-aid because it looks funky. I will never allow her to have a relaxer or a weave stitched in her hair until she is 18 and as an adult can make her own informed choices regarding hair care. Adding extensions in for a few weeks a year is not chemically altering her hair, or a long term commitment.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is okay, and can be very cute. :)
ReplyDeleteBut not to often, and do still remember that u own hair are beautifull!
But i think thats it is always alright to be used to braids, twists, locs and those kinda style, if u dont got so long hair, and want it longer.
i am a 35 yr old woman with thinning hair and really i just can't deal with it anymore. i tried Great Lengths extensions last yr and it turns out i have a sensitive scalp so that made the lymph nodes in the back of scalp flare up.
ReplyDeletei reallllly wanted them in so i let it go for 6months until i just needed them out. my hair was damaged and grew a few inches and still looks damaged (had some medical hormonal things simultaneously that probably causes=d that). so now i have neck length hair and am looking at wigs/braided extensions and anything that will let my hair grow out and not look like hay while it does.
i don't use chemical conditioners either - every product i use is from the health food store or is oil.
is there a less traumatic braid that is undetectable?
thank you for you help! :-)
Well for me my daughter is 2 years old and have very coarse dry hair, and my reason for adding fake hair is to help it grow and don't have to do it everyday by combing out her afro that I can put in one ponytail or ponytails yet
ReplyDeleteI know that I am EXTRA late but I had to comment!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is going to be 7 in a week and I regularly braid her hair adding in hair along the way. This past March I made a very big move (NY to FL) and since I left so close to the end of the school year I decided to allow her to finish it in NY with her friends. There were two major reasons for this, 1- it allowed her to spend time with my family before we left (she's extremely close with my mom and sisters) and 2- she was skipped a grade and I was afraid that FL would insist she be put back. So she stayed with my mom who insisted on putting a texturizer in her hair. Admittedly she does have extremely thick EXTREMELY coarse hair that she does not like having touched at all, and my mother is experienced when it comes to caring for hair. It was all going fine until the summer when she started spending more and more time in the pool, fast forward to her getting to me in August and her hair was in pieces. A few weeks prior she had taken to the front of her hair in secret so she could cut herself a 'bang'. That in addition to all the chlorine meant her hair was dry, broken, and extremely damaged.
I am slowly trying to repair her hair. She is in transition (NO MORE CHEMICALS UNTIL SHE IS OLD ENOUGH TO DO IT HERSELF!) and at the beginning it was nearly impossible to braid it at all without adding in hair. It was way too weak and barely long enough to catch. As she transitions I will continue to add in hair and cut off the damaged ends.
I always keep the hair moisturized and never outrageously long. It's usually just a little longer than the length she had before it all started breaking. Once I'm able to even it out I will probably limit my usage of hair until I am able to finally put it away for good.
...sorry about the monologue :)