How to Prepare for the First Hair Cut

You can tell that it's time for the baby's first cut if the hair is fuzzy or getting in their eyes. In general, there is no "right" time or age for children to get their first haircut. Just check if the hair is in their eyes or bothering them on the back of the neck.

Visit the salon with your baby the day before the haircut appointment so the child knows what to expect. Or bring the baby in for a parent's haircut so the child knows it's a friendly place.

On haircut day, come prepared. Bring snacks or something to keep them occupied, as well as a change of clothes in case hair gets on the clothing.

As for the best style for your child, here are some suggestions:

•   Flip through parents' magazines to get an idea of what they want and what they don't want.
•   Be realistic. A boy with curly hair can't have a side part and hair combed to the side.
•   Listen to the stylist. You are not going to style your kid’s hair every morning, so a wash-and-go    cut is the best way to go. For girls, consider if they want bangs or are wanting to keep the hair off the face.

And here are a few last tips:

• Kids don’t need to have their hair washed every day. Twice a week is sufficient, unless they're really dirty, or have paint or glue  in their hair.
• Brushing the child's hair on an every day basis helps to eliminate tangles and will make the hair cutting day an easier experience.
• Tear-free shampoo is the way to go. Our Mop Pear Gentle Shampoo is the kindest way we know to cleanse wee ones. Also, use a detangler such as our Bumble and bumble Leave In Conditioner, which is our most versatile product.

Lice Sypmtoms

• Intense itching of the scalp
• Small, red bumps on the scalp, neck, and shoulders (bumps may become crusty and ooze)
• Tiny white specks (eggs, or nits) on the bottom of each hair that are hard to get off

Lice on scalp and clothing may be difficult to see, unless the infestation is heavy. If you see something moving, it's called a louse.

Lotions and shampoos containing 1% permethrin (Nix) often work well. They can be bought at the store without a prescription. If these do not work, a doctor can give you a prescription for stronger medicine. Such medicine should be used exactly as directed.

To use the medicine shampoo, first rinse and dry the hair. Then apply the medicine to the hair and scalp. After 10 minutes, rinse it off. Check for lice and nits again in 1 week and repeat the treatment if necessary.

An important part of treatment is removing the eggs (nits). Certain products make the nits easier to remove. Some dishwashing detergents can help dissolve the "glue" that makes the nits stick to the hair shaft.

• You can remove the eggs with a nit comb. Before doing this, rub olive oil in the hair or run the metal comb through beeswax. This helps make the nits easier to remove.
• Metal combs with very fine teeth are stronger and more effective than plastic nit combs. These metal combs are easier to find in pet stores or on the Internet than in pharmacies.
• Removing eggs may prevent the lice from returning if the medication fails to kill every one of them.
• Treat children and adults with lice promptly and thoroughly.
• Wash all clothes and bed linens in hot water with detergent. This also helps prevent head lice from spreading to others during the short period when head lice can survive off the human body.
• Repeat combing for nits in 7-10 days.

WHAT IS LOCKS OF LOVE?

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. They meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses we provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.  We at Li'l Klippers are more than happy to support Locks Of Love and are more than happy to help you donate  your hair.

GUIDELINES FOR ACCEPTABLE DONATIONS

Hair that is colored or permed is acceptable. Hair cut years ago is  usable if it has been stored in a ponytail or braid.Hair that has been bleached (usually this refers to highlighted hair) is not usable.  If unsure, ask your stylist. We are not able to accept bleached hair due to a chemical reaction that occurs during the manufacturing process. **If the hair was bleached years ago and has completely grown out it is fine to donate. Hair that is swept off of the floor is not usable because it is not bundled in a ponytail or braid. Hair that is shaved off and not in a ponytail or braid is not usable. If shaving your head, first divide hair into multiple ponytails to cut off. We cannot accept dreadlocks. Our manufacturer is not able to use them in our children’s hairpieces. We also cannot accept wigs, falls, hair extensions or synthetic hair. Layered hair is acceptable if the longest layer is 10 inches.  Layered hair may be divided into multiple ponytails. Curly hair may be pulled straight to measure the minimum 10 inches.
10 inches measured tip to tip is the minimum length needed for a hairpiece.

Please Note:

Shorter hair will be separated from the ponytails and sold to offset the manufacturing costs. Although the shorter hair cannot be used in the hairpieces, it still greatly helps to reduce costs.
Gray hair will be accepted and sold to offset the manufacturing costs.
Colored hair is not usable if it is colored over bleached hair.

HOW TO DONATE

• 10 inches measured tip to tip is the minimum length needed for a hairpiece.
• Hair must be in a ponytail or braid before it is cut.
• Hair must be clean and completely dry before it is mailed in.
• Place the ponytail or braid inside of a plastic bag, and then inside of a padded envelope.
• If you wish to receive our personalized thank-you card, write your name and address on a full size separate sheet of paper and include inside the envelope. We cannot acknowledge donors who do not send their name and address according to these instructions.
• All hair donations must be mailed to Locks of Love at:
  
  234 Southern Blvd.
  West Palm Beach, FL 33405-2701