The summer holidays are over. The uniform is on. The lunch box is packed. And somewhere between the school gate and the car, you have noticed that your child’s hair looks like it has spent six weeks in a hedge.
September is our busiest month at Kids Hair Play, and for good reason. Every parent in the West Midlands has the same thought in the same week: they need a haircut before someone at school says something.
But September hair is not just about looking neat. After a summer of chlorine, sun, salt water, and six weeks of “I do not want my hair brushed,” most children’s hair needs actual repair. Here is what to do about it.
Assess the damage first
Before you book a cut, take a proper look at what summer has done. The most common issues we see in September are:
- Dry, straw-like texture — chlorine and sun exposure strip natural oils. The hair feels rough and tangles easily.
- Split ends — heat and UV damage cause the ends to fray. You will notice them looking wispy and thin even if the rest of the hair is fine.
- Matted sections at the back — six weeks of sleeping on unbrushed hair creates knots that have essentially felted together.
- Uneven growth — if the last cut was in June or earlier, the shape has grown out unevenly. Fringes are in eyes, layers have lost their structure.
- Colour changes — sun-bleached patches are harmless but can look patchy. These grow out naturally.
None of this is a disaster. All of it is fixable with the right cut and a bit of aftercare.
What to ask for at the salon
When you bring your child in for the September cut, here is what we recommend:
For dry, damaged hair
Ask for a good trim — at least an inch off, sometimes more. The damaged ends need to go. They will not repair themselves, and leaving them makes the rest of the hair harder to manage. A wash and cut rather than a dry cut helps here, because the stylist can feel the condition of the hair when wet and judge how much needs to come off.
For matted knots
Do not try to brush these out at home with force. Soak the matted section in conditioner, leave it for ten minutes, then work through with a wide-tooth comb starting from the very bottom of the tangle and moving upward in small sections. If it is truly matted, bring them in to us — we have dealt with far worse and we can work through it without tears.
For a fresh school look
Something low-maintenance that will last until half term. For boys, a clean shape that does not need styling — short enough to stay tidy but not so short it looks grown out in two weeks. For girls, a cut that keeps hair off the face without constant re-tying. If your school requires hair to be tied back, layers that frame the face while the rest goes into a ponytail work well.
The nit check you have been avoiding
Nobody wants to talk about it, but September is peak season. Children have spent six weeks in close contact at holiday clubs, play dates, and sleepovers. Head lice spread through head-to-head contact, and they do not care how clean the hair is.
Before the haircut, do a proper check at home. Conditioner, nit comb, section by section. If you find anything, treat it before the salon visit — not because we judge (we absolutely do not) but because treatment is more effective on untreated hair, and we would rather your child gets the full benefit of the treatment before we cut.
If you are unsure what you are looking at, ask us when you come in. We can tell the difference between nits, dandruff, and product build-up in seconds.
Getting back into a routine
Summer hair routines tend to be relaxed, which is fine. But September is a good time to reset. A simple routine that works for school-age children:
- Wash two to three times a week — daily washing strips natural oils and makes hair drier. Unless your child is genuinely dirty, every other day or every third day is better.
- Condition every wash — even short hair benefits from conditioner. It reduces tangles, adds moisture, and makes brushing less painful.
- Brush or comb before bed — five minutes of detangling at night prevents the morning battle. A wide-tooth comb for wet hair, a soft brush for dry.
- Trim every six to eight weeks — regular trims keep the shape and prevent split ends from travelling up the shaft. Book the next one before you leave the salon.
New school, new confidence
If your child has just started a new school — whether that is reception, year seven, or anything in between — a fresh haircut is one of the easiest ways to boost their confidence. It sounds small, but looking neat and feeling good about their appearance makes the first week easier.
For children starting reception who have never had a professional haircut, now is the perfect time. Getting comfortable in a salon chair is a life skill, and at Kids Hair Play we make it as easy as possible. Car-shaped chairs, screens at every station, and stylists who do nothing but cut children’s hair — it is designed to be fun, not frightening.
Children with sensory needs
Going back to school is already a big transition for children with autism or sensory processing differences. Adding a stressful haircut to the mix does not help.
We offer autism-friendly appointments at all three of our salons — quieter environment, no time pressure, flexible positioning, and stylists who adapt to your child’s needs. Same price as any other appointment. No extra charge, no need to explain — just let us know when you book and we will make sure your child’s stylist is prepared.
Book this week
September slots go fast. We have availability across all three locations but mornings fill up first — especially the mid-morning slots that suit younger children best.
Book online or walk in when we have space. The summer is in the hair — let us get it out.
