How to Get Lint Out of Black Toddler Hair

Certain hair types are a magnet for lint. As some African-Americans have somewhat dry, curly hair, problems with lint can be especially irksome. As Katie of Happy Girl Hair states, "we are experts at lint," because "lint gets caught in the fairy knots and split ends and can be hard to remove." With a few simple steps, however, you can pluck stubborn lint from your toddler's hair.

Stocking Roller

Wrap a brush with a sheer stocking.

Brush the linty area with quick strokes, then brush all the way through the hair.

Pluck the lint from the stocking, then repeat until all the lint has been removed.

Pluck or Clip

Afro girl at the beach, six years old

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Dampen a clean washcloth with hot water.

Pinch the cloth between your thumb and forefinger, then pluck at the stray bits of lint in the hair. Alternatively, use a pair of tweezers to pluck the lint. Use this method only for stubborn bits of lint.

Cut out the lint with a pair of scissors. This method is effective for especially stubborn lint, but you may need to snip other areas to even out the hair length.

Prevention

Cover your child's head with a nightcap to prevent lint accumulating from fuzzy bedsheets or blankets.

Condition and oil your child's hair, as dry hair tends to attract lint. Depending on how dry the scalp is, you may have to oil the hair once or twice a week.

Cut your child's hair short and avoid braids until they are older, as it is much harder to get lint out of braids and tight locks.

References

Afro girl at the beach, six years old

Hair Growth in An African-American Babies

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Mamapedia.com: How Do I Get Lint Out of My Son's Curls?Jeannine's Salon Studio: Children's Hair

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