It's happened again! I've lost my hair due to my own carelessness...lots and lot of my hair and I'm wondering whether to cut it all off and start over, go natural (yes, I'm highly considering it under these circumstances) or just cut off the thinnest parts and continue. Want to know the details? Here goes......
I was just silly. I've always had issues with wash day in a salon or with other people's hands and for years now, I do my own hair. Even with doing my own hair, the right way, I still have tangles to deal with. So a friend seeing my hair after so long a while went the usual " wow, it's so thick" , "eiiiiiiii, it's grown papa" (it's grown so much), and all that and offered to wash and style it for me. Not a hairdresser, but loves to do people's hair including my daughter, and does it very well; and had been offering to do mine for ages. Well, I explained as usual how I don't wash my hair anyhow and how it must be in sections and all the hair care mantra, but she insisted to do it carefully and my hair will be fine. So I finally agreed.
We detangled thoroughly and combed through to ensure there were no tangles. Then we went to wash, without me braiding in sections as she insisted my hair was too smelly for sections to be clean while in braids. Well it was really smelly so I accepted. It didn't take 5 minutes in the shower to realise that was a BIG, BIG, BIG MISTAKE. My hair matted and tangled so bad in many places especially the crown, like nothing I have ever experienced yet right after shampooing and we both tried everything to remove the clamps. Detangler, oil, double deep conditioning, picking at the tangles with a needle....my oh my nothing worked and we were at it for hours. Myself, my friend and my nanny. Oh, we did everything to no avail. Finally, my friend left promising to come help next day, offering apologies but I knew nothing will work anyways and didn't want to make her feel any worse than she felt so just told her it was nothing and I'll just work on it. Later with the help of my nanny, we had to cut through some of the knots with a razor to save some strands and had to cut off a big chunk in my crown down to about 4 inches because nothing we tried worked at the knots.
We detangled thoroughly and combed through to ensure there were no tangles. Then we went to wash, without me braiding in sections as she insisted my hair was too smelly for sections to be clean while in braids. Well it was really smelly so I accepted. It didn't take 5 minutes in the shower to realise that was a BIG, BIG, BIG MISTAKE. My hair matted and tangled so bad in many places especially the crown, like nothing I have ever experienced yet right after shampooing and we both tried everything to remove the clamps. Detangler, oil, double deep conditioning, picking at the tangles with a needle....my oh my nothing worked and we were at it for hours. Myself, my friend and my nanny. Oh, we did everything to no avail. Finally, my friend left promising to come help next day, offering apologies but I knew nothing will work anyways and didn't want to make her feel any worse than she felt so just told her it was nothing and I'll just work on it. Later with the help of my nanny, we had to cut through some of the knots with a razor to save some strands and had to cut off a big chunk in my crown down to about 4 inches because nothing we tried worked at the knots.
As you can see from my face, I had little sleep that night as I stayed up till almost midnight trying to work the tangles out as doing so the next day would only make it worse. The line of demarcation now shows so clearly cos my ends are really see-through now. Time to chop chop chop ......and go fully texlaxed or natural (still thinking). As I wrote this post, my memory card corrupted and all I have are these pixs I sent to one of my hair buddies earlier. My hair is in plaits now and at the weekend, will take time to do a better photo story.
Oh, how I wish that day hadn't come, how did this happen, had I known, ......*quickly removes that thought* especially the first one!! That day not coming, no no no....each day is wonderful and no matter how bad it turns out, we need to appreciate once we wake up from bed, we live to fight another and victory will surely be ours one day! Looking back at the last time my hair was free, it was really, really thick with struggling ends and just a huge trim would have been all I needed. Now , I don't know what to expect after the cut. I am only looking forward to some vitamins and biotin I ordered from the US arriving soon after my cut so I can grow this hair right back. But, we focus not on the past, but we look forward to embrace new beginnings. That's just how I feel right now. I've lost nothing at all.
So, I'm moving forward and thankful I'm not totally bald. I need a huge cut. All the way close to the new growth I have because I lost a lot of texlaxed hair as well...My hair now is the thinnest in years but thank God I have about 2-3 inches of new growth. Well, I had already planned going fully texlaxed after my next texlax and have brand new scissors just for the job. So I'm sad, but not to tears...*I'm surprised I didn't even shed a single tear* but I'm just going to seize the opportunity to just do the big chop once and for all. I'm going to follow the Lunar hair cutting days to lengthen which are 28th and 29th February. Can't wait and hopefully, I'll film it for my Youtube channel.
Which way should I go? Natural or Texlaxed?
Cheers,
Star.
I can imagine what was going through your mind. All the hard work gone in a flash. It is well my dear. Thankfully it will grow back. Waiting to seeing results of your chop.
ReplyDeleteI know right...a million thoughts all at the same time. I'm thankful though I was transitioning. I would have felt really really sad, probably shed a few tears.... lol
DeleteI am so sorry this happened. Whatever you decide will be best for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks honey...and I'm still thinking through it...hopefully I'll like my decision in the end.
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ReplyDeleteSorry this happened.... I think I would have cried if it were me. You are very strong.... but its hair and will grow back :) Since you asked, I think you should transition to natural, in the long run I think you will like it and its worth while.
ReplyDeleteI've cried so much in the past over setbacks I promised I won't ever cry again...so glad I didn't shed a tear though this is the biggest chop. It will all grow right back...and I have a huge middle that is all chopped to natural and I just love it. The decision is not easy at all.
DeleteSorry dear, imagine all that hair. #crying
ReplyDeleteNa wa oooo..#sob sob
DeleteThat must have been really painful after working so hard. Chin up and let the regrowth process begin.
ReplyDeleteThanks dear....I won't give up. Let's keep growing.
DeleteI am sorry for the loss of your relaxed ends, but I see the thick hair which you still have to rejoice about.
ReplyDeletehttps://lauralivll.wordpress.com
Yes yes...that was the bright side...thank God for the texlaxed parts that survived.
DeleteOh boy!!!!!!!!! my heart sank really low! Stella paaaaaa!!!! you are partly to blame oh! chai! i can imagine the tangles oh boy! maybe its meant to be. Sorry perhaps you should try to wer your hair natural n see, if you can't cope you can texlax
ReplyDeleteOh charley...I lost guard paaa...lmao! I have been eyeing my natural hair paaaa....it's not as tough as I thought it was and just maybe, I might give it a try . Will keep stretching and grow more natural hair and see if I still like it better than the texlaxed as it gets longer. The length too comes with it's own wahala sometimes...Jesus take the wheel.
Deleteor try chopping the relaxed ends to leave the texlaxed bit so that you have one texture only. maybe it will be easier to handle
ReplyDeleteDid just that...time to experiment *filled with glee*
DeleteI read your post today and I felt sad. Am sorry this happened. This is my 3rd hair inspiration that is facing this kind of challenge.But I know like those strong ladies, you'll pull through.I know you can do it.
ReplyDeleteGeeeeeez, the struggle is real but we won't give up..I'll keep going and I wish you have a better journey than mine...no setbacks.
DeleteAll hope is not lost my hair buddy, once there is life we will make it to waist length even if it takes us 100yrs. Take heart its just the beginning of greater hair to come
ReplyDeleteNo shaking kuraaaa...we will definitely reach Canaan! On on we go!
DeleteAww Stella! I'm so sorry. But it's nice that you are taking it in stride. Always here for support. It's the beginning of a different leg of your hair journey.
ReplyDeleteYaaaaasss.....making it my year of exploration. I knew I'll be at crossroads one day..it's always better sooner than later. Thanks for being there always!
DeleteAww Stella! I'm so sorry. But it's nice that you are taking it in stride. Always here for support. It's the beginning of a different leg of your hair journey.
ReplyDeleteIts just hair, it will grow back thicker and more beautiful. At least you have so much beautiful thick growth to work with. Don't be too mad at youself, it will still be beautiful. YOu will still be beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely ! Actually excited at the opportunity to be fully texlaxed. 3 textures was a real struggle honestly. Thanks for your kind words.
DeleteI used to think working in sections, especially hair wash, was such a bother but now I'm truly convinced it's the best when you lots of new growth and different textures going on. I'm so sorry about your experience. Don't give up on your healthy hair journey. You will get to waist length in whatever texture you want... Relaxed, relaxed or natural 😊
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