You know what we love about kids? Their never-ending pursuit of self-expression and creativity. Seriously—we live for it, and we love seeing your kids change and come into themselves each time they walk through the doors.
We also know what a big role their appearance can play in this pursuit, and that, as they get older, this self-discovery and push for independence will extend past “these pants should absolutely be worn with this shirt” and into more experimentation with their look, style, and yes, eventually, their hair.
We believe in empowering kids in this journey to find out who they are and what style feels good for them, and we love having them in the salon to do exactly this. However, if they are 11 and under, we cannot book them for chemical services, including color. New Talent Hanna is telling us more about it (and offering some alternatives!).
Q: Why can’t children get chemical services at Ginger & Maude?
A: Really, it comes down to three factors that are all centered around keeping kids safe:
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Children do not have a scalp oil barrier to protect their skin.
Children typically have more sensitive scalps as it is, but they also do not have a scalp oil barrier because they do not produce as much sebum. Among other things, sebum, a waxy substance produced by the sebaceous gland at the hair follicle, protects our scalps from dryness and external irritants, like chemical services. Essentially, what this means is that children do not have the same natural protections in place that teens and adults do to help mitigate any potential damage or irritation caused by the color or bleach coming into contact with their scalp. (Fun fact: Sebum is also what causes our hair to look greasy, which is why you might be frantically reaching for the dry shampoo on day 2 and your five-year-old’s hair is like, “I have no problems,” after several days of them refusing to wash it.) -
Children’s hair is different than adult hair.
Children’s hair tends to be finer than adult hair, making it more susceptible to breakage and damage from exposure to bleach and/or dye. Not only that, but their hair goes through many changes as they age, from color, to density and thickness, to texture. It’s a really sensitive time to be applying anything that will penetrate the hair shaft and chemically alter it. -
Children change their minds. A lot.
And that’s totally okay! They should be able to. But it’s maybe not the most realistic option to create a permanent chemical change in their hair, which could require years of grow out or further chemical services if they decide they want a different look.
Q: So, what services can I book for my child?
A: We love seeing your children in the salon and making their vision come to life. If your kid is interested in experimenting with their look (or just interested in a fancy salon experience), feel free to book them for any of the following services:
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Children’s Haircuts (10 & under): Haircuts are a great way for kids to express themselves and establish some independence with their look. You can also add on a Shampoo and Blow-dry, or if your child is looking for a little more change, Heated Styling or Hair Tinsel.
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Malibu C Treatments: A Malibu C Treatment is a nonchemical treatment used to remove buildup from hard water minerals, metallic salts, and medications. It’s an easy way to treat your child to the salon experience while also giving their hair a clarifying reset (which can be especially helpful in the summer months when Portland water tends to be a bit harder.
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Hair Tinsel: Hair Tinsel is a wonderful option for kids. Not only is it brush-proof and heat-styling-proof, it’s also temporary, falling out with your child’s natural shedding schedule. We have lots of colors to choose from, and they can customize their look by choosing just one color or multiple. They can also come in for an appointment to change them any time they want. It’s really a great opportunity to give a little shine and a little bit of color and allow for that experimentation without chemically altering their actual hair.
Q: What if my child is absolutely set on having color in their hair?
A: If your kid is truly set on putting color in their hair, some great at-home options are:
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Clip-in colored extensions: These are super easy to take in and out and are a fun way to add a little color throughout the hair.
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Hair chalk and sprays: These can easily be applied to the hair, are super customizable, and usually stay in until your next wash, offering a little more lasting color, which can be really fun. That being said, they’re nice because they can still be changed whenever you want.
Have questions or want to know more? Schedule your child for a haircut! The two of you can work together with your stylist to find a fun solution to achieve their hair goals. (Click the link below to schedule with a really awesome one!)