Care Instructions for Helmet Orthopedic Fixation

Dear Parents,

American Star Orthopedic Center is an infant skull deformity correction center established by Starton Medical under the authorization of Orthomerica (USA) Inc. Orthomerica (USA) Inc. is a global pioneer in non-invasive correction of infant skull deformities and one of the world’s most renowned manufacturers of infant orthopedic helmets. Its Starband series of orthopedic helmets obtained approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2000 and approval from China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) in 2012. To date, hundreds of thousands of cases worldwide have been successfully treated with these helmets. The Starband series is included in U.S. medical insurance coverage and infant treatment guidelines. American Star Orthopedic Center adheres to extremely strict quality control standards, and all orthopedic helmets are custom-made at Orthomerica’s original factory in the U.S.

When you decide to have your child wear an orthopedic helmet upon the recommendation of medical experts, please take note of the following daily wearing instructions:

1.The orthopedic helmet provides an effective correction solution for infant skull deformities. For infants under 18 months old, correction effects are usually visible within 3-6 months after the start of treatment. Older infants require a longer treatment period, as the infant’s head does not grow rapidly after 12 months of age, and head growth is a dynamic component of the treatment process.

2.Wearing the orthopedic helmet will not affect the normal development and growth of the infant’s skull. It has been used globally by hundreds of thousands of patients. During the wearing period, the infant’s skull will become more symmetrical and its shape will be closer to normal. However, the improvement of head shape refers to the general direction; the growth of specific quadrants and parts is subject to individual differences.

3.The baby needs time to adapt to wearing the helmet. Please gradually increase the wearing time in strict accordance with the following schedule. Do not accelerate the schedule even if your child shows no discomfort. Failure to follow the schedule will affect the correction effect.

From Day 5, the helmet can be worn all day, and at this point, it can only be removed for one hour per day. The helmet must be removed and cleaned only when the infant is bathing.

4.Cleaning Method: First, clean the interior of the helmet with odorless isopropyl alcohol (concentration of 70% or higher). Then, wipe the interior again with a warm, slightly damp towel and dry the helmet thoroughly. Do not use other cleaning agents (such as soap, water, bleach, or perfume) that may cause skin irritation to clean the helmet interior. Wash the infant’s hair with shampoo every day, and reattach the helmet only when both the head and the helmet are completely dry. Keep the helmet away from water; it must be removed during swimming. After swimming, wash the infant’s hair with shampoo to remove chlorine, sunscreen oil, etc.

5.In the first few days of wearing, your baby may sweat more, which is a normal phenomenon. During this period, you can remove the helmet for a few minutes each day, dry the baby’s head and the helmet with a towel, or use a hair dryer on the cool setting to dry them. Strictly prohibit the use of washing powder, detergent, or other laundry products on the infant’s head or inside the helmet. These products containing fragrances may cause skin irritation.

6.Temporarily stop wearing the helmet if the baby has a fever or cold. Resume all-day wearing as soon as the baby recovers from the illness. If the baby fails to wear the orthopedic helmet for 48 hours or more, you must strictly follow the wearing schedule again to help the baby readapt.

7.If the baby develops a rash, consult a doctor immediately. Meanwhile, keep the baby cool as much as possible, and frequently dry the baby’s hair and the helmet interior with a towel or hair dryer to prevent moisture buildup. Reattach the helmet as soon as both the hair and the helmet are dry. Handle the helmet gently when putting it on or taking it off.

8.If the baby is diagnosed with torticollis, the torticollis must be treated simultaneously to achieve effective skull correction. If the treating doctor advises neck exercises for the baby, stop wearing the helmet during the exercises and reattach it as soon as the exercises are completed.

9.If the baby needs a haircut during the orthopedic helmet treatment, do not shave the entire head. Direct contact between the helmet and the scalp may cause skin irritation before the hair regrows. Try to keep the baby’s hair length consistent throughout the treatment to avoid fit issues caused by changes in hair volume.