How to prepare your child's hair before a braids or locs appointment

One of Virginia's core beliefs is that getting your hair done should not hurt — and this is especially true for children. The pre-appointment preparation you do at home directly affects how comfortable your child is in the chair and how long the style lasts.

Wash and detangle at home first

Come to your appointment with clean, detangled hair. Virginia works with all textures, but arriving with clean hair means less time on prep and more time on the actual style. Use a moisturizing conditioner and a wide-tooth comb from the ends up toward the root — never root to tip on a child's hair.

Dry completely before the appointment

Braiding or loc work on wet hair leads to frizz and styles that don't last as long. If you wash the morning of, make sure hair is fully dry — or wash the night before and let it air dry overnight.

Feed your child before they arrive

This sounds small, but it matters enormously. Braiding and loc appointments for children run 2h 45min to 5 hours. A child who arrives hungry becomes uncomfortable quickly. Bring snacks, a tablet, or headphones — anything that helps them sit comfortably.

Talk to your child about what to expect

Virginia is exceptionally gentle, but a child who has had painful hair experiences in the past may be anxious. Let them know Virginia's number one rule: it should not hurt. If anything hurts, they should say so and Virginia will adjust immediately.

The goal is a child who leaves feeling proud of their hair — not traumatized by the process. That's the Done.By.V standard.