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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, January 26, 2010

A cut above


By Zenaida Serrano
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Hairstylist Jendale Kahuanui works on 4-year-old Andre Ku's hair at Pigtails & Crewcuts.

Photos by ANDREW SHIMABUKU | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Make your child's haircut a pleasant experience by meeting the hairstylists together beforehand.

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Four-year-old Andre Ku is all smiles after receiving a haircut at the keiki-friendly salon Pigtails & Crewcuts.

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Parents: How do you handle a little one who hates haircuts? Share your tips at WWW.HAWAII.MOMSLIKEME.COM

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PIGTAILS & CREWCUTS

Moanalua Shopping Center

422-4300 or info@pigtailsandcrewcutshawaii.com

Also: Other keiki-friendly salons include Fantastic Sams (www.fantasticsams.com) and Supercuts (www.supercuts.com).

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Maybe you have a baby who's due for his first haircut or a child who hates those monthly trims at a salon.

How do you ease their anxieties — and yours?

"Parents, stay calm ... Sometimes the parents get excited and emotional, more than the children," said Brian Yonehara, co-owner of Pigtails & Crewcuts.

Yonehara and his wife, Grace, own a keiki-friendly salon that caters to children by playing kiddie movies and offering cookies or lollipops to keep little ones happily distracted. If children cry or fuss during a haircut, Pigtails & Crewcuts also allows parents to return for a free retouch.

But there are things parents can do themselves to make the experience a pleasant one for all. Yonehara offers these tips:

• At night, spend time with your child combing or brushing her hair while reading a bedtime story so she feels comfortable with someone touching her head.

• Before the haircut, visit the store and meet the hairstylists with your child. This often "works wonders," Yonehara said.

• Plan to have the haircut when you know your child is well-rested and fully awake — perhaps after nap time — and has had a balanced meal.

• Consider having your hair cut at the same time, too, to show your child there is nothing to worry about.

• Bring your child's favorite toy, blanket and snacks to help him feel comfortable during the haircut.

• Bring an extra change of clothes because many babies and young children do not like wearing a cape.

• Praise your child during her haircut: "Good job!" "You're doing great!" "Way to go!"

• If at first you don't succeed, try again.

If it's baby's first haircut, Yonehara also suggests taking pictures or videotaping the salon visit to preserve the milestone event.

"Have fun and cherish the moment," Yonehara said.

Reach Zenaida Serrano at 535-8174. Follow her Twitter updates at www.twitter.com/zenaidaserrano.