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6 minutes
The fear of a haircut is common in many children, especially in their early years. The little ones face something unknown, so you must help them overcome the terror.
One of the most complicated tasks for parents during their children’s early years is for them to overcome the fear of cutting their hair. The unknown space, the noise of the machines, the new faces and the subjection to an alien activity increase the child’s anxiety.
As they grow and master fear, it is necessary to use resources that reassure the child and facilitate the work of the hairdresser.
Some dads delay this moment as long as they can. It is likely that before the year, the baby will not need a cut. But after this stage, some adjustments will be necessary. By then, the boy walks and knows what is happening around him, so his fear of a stranger approaching with devices and blades is normal.
Reasons to cut a child’s hair
In the case of girls, it is simpler to decide that the hair grows and not go to the salon every 2 or 3 months. But with the men parents settle a little more on cutting hair, both for aesthetics and hygiene.
Once you start taking your son to the salon, talk to him about the importance of thinning his hair. He mentions that, with a peeled, washing and drying the hair is easier. Explain to him that he will feel less heat and that shorter hair makes it easier to control lice.
Although a haircut does not prevent head lice, simplifies combing or picking out nits by hand. Ending the contagion implies treatments with pediculicides and the mechanical elimination of these parasites, clarifies the University Clinic of Navarra.
Why are children afraid of cutting their hair?
Fear is a response to feelings of danger. In the case of children, experts warn that fears up to a certain age are relatively normal. This is highlighted by a publication of the hospital Sant Joan de Déu from Barcelona.
Haircuts represent a concrete daily situation in which the child perceives that he must defend himself. It is suggested not to ridicule the scenario and analyze together with the small the naturalness of the activity.
Consider the following:
- For him fear is logical before some tools that you think will harm you.
- Visual and auditory stimuli on the site could alter it.
- To be a while without moving it’s annoying for anyone.
- When they’re a bit bigger, makeovers tend to pack a punch.
Recommendations for children to overcome the fear of cutting their hair
Getting the child to overcome the fear of cutting their hair is more likely if you put the following tips into practice.
1. Anticipate what will happen
Don’t let the cut surprise you. Even days before, prepare it for the salon visit. Tell him that you are going to a place to get a haircut and describe the process.
If you have a machine and scissors at home, go ahead and show them to them so that they become familiar with them. Of course, do not let him manipulate them and keep them in a safe place, preferably that he does not locate them.
2. Play hairdresser
Simulating what will happen at the hairdresser is a great help for him to understand and assimilate what the cut is, the work of the stylist and how it will look.
Dramatize hair washing and detangling. If possible, trim the hair of a doll. Imitates the sounds of the machine, the dryer and how the scissors are handled.
3. Go in good spirits
Good humor is not active 24/7. If the children woke up discouraged or irritable, it is not convenient to go to the hairdresser.
With a friendly character it is easier to adapt to the environment and not give so much fight when cutting his hair. He chooses a nice day, makes sure he sleeps well, wears comfortable clothes and has eaten to reduce the annoyance.
4. Choose a suitable hairdresser
You do not necessarily have to take them to an adult salon. There are special hairdressers for children. These are conditioned centers in order to have a good time.
The decoration and seats in the shape of cars, aircraft or animals help to relax. These sites have games, screens and staff trained to serve children. The idea is that they enjoy the experience and want to return.
5. Feel it in your legs
If the environment does not convince your child of everything, sitting him on your lap will calm him down a bit. Sing to her, read to her, take her favorite toy. She collaborates to calm his nerves.
6. Don’t order a radical cut
As the children get older, they will want their opinion to count. Ask him how he would like his hair cut. Do not impose a radical change. Reach an agreement. It is a way to alleviate fears.
With girls it works to sell them the idea of glitter, pigtails and false locks with color or some fashionable hairstyle. Those options excite them.
7. Praise bravery.
Trips to the hairdresser will be less traumatic if you applaud the small advances of the child. Overcoming the fear of cuts does not always happen overnight.
Every time he leaves the site without crying, praise the brave behavior. Reinforcing this behavior favors future visits.
8. Teach him that it doesn’t hurt
Show that cutting hair does not generate any pain. Maybe by cutting off a strand you will prove how quick and painless it is.
9. Identify the fear
Children are likely to reject a specific point of the cut, that something in particular bothers them and unleashes their fear. If you detect the reason, talk to the hairdresser to avoid it. For example, cut with scissors and not with a machine; or hot air from the dryer.
What if I cut his hair at home?
The screaming and crying of children in front of the haircut is not only unleashed in the salon. If you decide to do it at home there are also these possibilities. Wait for the tantrum to pass before proceeding.
Some extra recommendations are to choose an area where you both feel comfortable, watch videos so you don’t improvise, bathe him as soon as you finish so he doesn’t itch with his hair and highlight how handsome he was.
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