Part 2-My Hair Journey: How the Bald Spots Disappeared and My Self Esteem Soared

After suffering through one of the WORST natural hair salon experiences, I resolved to learn more about my scalp condition and learn how to care for my hair. Desperate for information, how to's, and tips I stumbled onto the natural hair community on YouTube. I developed almost an obsession for learning through product reviews, tutorials, and hair journeys. Among my favorite YouTubers were CurlyChronicles, African Export, and Kimmaytube. They have type 4 hair and it is well preserved. Their videos are pretty informative and helpful. Also, I learned a lot about DIY (do it yourself) recipes for spritzes, hair butters, and oil mixtures.

My hair journey about 2 yrs ago took a turn for the better as I learned that my hair thrives on natural ingredients. After using products that had awesome ingredients, such as shea butter, aloe vera, castor oil, and mango butter, I saw my hair change from brittle to breaking to moisturized and thriving. I could not believe that my hair was the same hair that was falling out horribly.

I remember giving up on the products that I typically found in the beauty supply store. All of the greases, pomades, and moisturizers promising the softest hair DIDN'T work for me. Frustrated, I gave up and just continued to work on mixing my own hair butters and moisturizers. While the moisturizers were fun to make; I found that I could never get my mixes quite right. I decided to go into the health store and there I discovered TheraNeem shampoo and conditioner by Organix South. Although it was more expansive then what I was used to, I bought it. I felt relief from my itching scalp and I continued to use it for several months. But, after a while the shampoo's effectiveness began to wear off. It was just as my doctor had said and I remembered that I had to rotate shampoos according to his instructions.

One day while walking through Target I saw a display on the outside of the aisle featuring a new hair product called Shea Moisture. Intrigued I went over and started reading the story of the creators, who now used their grandmother's shea butter preparations. I knew that raw shea butter in my hair worked really well. So, I began picking up the products reading their ingredients. I was impressed, but I wasn't willing to buy up a whole bunch of products, so I settled on the Coconut & Hibiscus Hair Milk. After using it for the first time, I was instantly hooked.

Over the next few months I tried out different Shea Moisture products including the Restorative shampoo, deep treatment mask, and moisturizer. I quickly learned that my hair did not like the raw shea butter line. So, I went back to the Coconut & Hibiscus line trying out the shampoo and curl enhancing smoothie. Instant love!! But, I still wanted something to calm my itchy scalp and that's when I discovered the Black soap line. The Purification Masque shrank the bumps on my scalp and took away the flakes. The shampoo was awesome and the conditioner worked well.

These last 2 yrs my knowledge and understanding of my hair has grown and changed. Initially, I did not know that my hair was curly and coily. I only knew the thick, thirsty kinks that resulted from my hair needing a touch up. Even as a child I had dry hair that poofed into a dry afro once my braids or plaits were taken out. My fear of water had disappeared and I run to water using it in my spritz to revive thirsty curls. Shea, mango, and cocoa butters in natural products provide a good sealant. Oils, such as Jamaican Black Castor, grapeseed, and jojoba are among my staples. I use store brought natural products along with my occasional mixtures of oils and butters.  Shampoo bars have replaced regular shampoo and dye free conditioners and stylers keep my hair moisturized.

What is the point of sharing my hair journey? I want to encourage ladies, who have balding, shedding, and breaking hair to not give up! Don't get caught up in coveting thick, luxious hair. It took my 4 yrs being natural to figure out my hair. Work with the hair you have in order to get the hair you want.

Looking back on your hair journey what do you now know that you wish you knew when you first started? What are your hair milestones.

A Forgotten Natural Hair Journey-Part 1

When I became natural it was not out of following a trend or because I needed something else "to do" with my hair. I became natural out of a necessity stemming from my scalp condition and hair loss. I remember my stylist saying that I had a scab and small bald spot in the top of my hair and that I needed to go to the dermatologist. Yet even after the discovery of the bald spot, I still wanted to continue to get the chemical processing done to my hair. I felt I needed the relaxer, because I felt my hair was not the "right type" to go without chemicals. As I sat in the dermatologist's office, I felt despair and confusion come over me. My dermatologist told me I had a condition called "seborrhea dermatitis". I asked him if I could still get relaxers and his exact words were "Not if you want hair". He then encouraged me to go natural.

My first exploration into natural hair started with a small natural hair salon that specialized in using natural products to achieve various styles. I remember going to the natural stylist and having her recoil from me as she looked at my scalp. "Ewww.. what is that? I can't touch that can I?" I felt tears gather in my eyes, as I told her that I had seborrhea dermatitis. She asked me what it was and then told me to go to the doctor's and get a note because she didn't want to catch anything. At that point, desperate to get my hair done, I complied with her request and the doctor did produce a note and pamphlet about my condition. After I returned with the note, still not convinced she made excuses about doing my hair, so the owner agreed to do my hair.

I went to the natural hair stylist for several months until one day she decided to allow a novice stylist to do my hair. My two strand twists that she did ended up unraveling and the cheap products that she used made my scalp condition flare up. The little bit of progress that my hair made was lost and so, I lost more hair. I felt so discourage and then, proceeded to begin doing my hair myself.

During my first year of transitioning to natural I was miserable. I wish I had the wonderful big chop experience that many of the YouTube gurus talk about. I wish my TWA hadn't been affected by my scalp condition and hair loss. When I began watching YouTube and visiting the hair forums, I gained inspiration but I also felt discouraged. My hair wasn't growing the average 1/2 inch per month and the styles that they could do, I never even came close to.

To be continued... Part 2- How the Bald Spots Disappeared & My Self Esteem Soared.

How have you overcome hair set backs and challenges?

Pretty Coverups and Lovely Accessories for the Forgotten Natural

Winter is the PERFECT time for lovely coverups, such as scarves, hats, and wraps. Why? Because if you live in a cold climate then these accessories can be your greatest ally if you are having a bad hair day OR you have hair loss. Using a cute beanie to coordinate with an outfit or a bodacious scarf to bring out the color of your hair, complexion, or eyes can turn a "blah" into an "oh, yeah"! Don't let your hair be the reason why your smile is dimmer or your eyes lose their shine.

How many times did I cry over the hair loss I suffered in the crown of my head? Well, too many times to remember. Years ago, I remembered the time I used a handheld mirror to look in the back of my head to see that my weak spot had grown to a bigger area and there was absolutely no hair there! I was completely  mortified when I saw I had no hair there. Worse still, being a teacher I knew that I had many eyes on me everyday and that was just going to be torture. I remember walking down the steps from lunch leading my students to the classroom when a female loudly exclaimed "She's bald!" After that comment I was quite self conscious and for an entire year I began wearing scarves to cover up my bald area. Thankfully, now that spot in the top of my head is covered with hair and no one would ever know that I was once bald in that area. I've never been one to wear wigs, but I was almost at that point until I discovered the beauty of wearing scarves and hats.

Beanies and hats are great for casual days or you can get fancy and coordinate them with dress up outfits. Great stores like Charming Charlie have an assortment of beanies and hats that are colorful and some even have added garnishments like bows and pins. I usually keep mine plain but on occasion I will add my own design.

Scarves are excellent and provide a fashionable accessory for any occasion. I can wear my scarves to work, church, on a date, or just a relaxing day at home. I've found many of my scarves at the local Five & Below Store, fabric store, and discount department store. You can get the nicest scarves for just a little bit of many.

Using both of these accessories have literally changed my life. It gave me that confidence that I needed and helped relieve unnecessary stress. I did not have to worry about people seeing my baldness and staring at me. Unless you have suffered hair loss as a woman, than you couldn't possibly understand the cruelty that so called adults can put others through. I will actually share more of my experiences on suffering baldness in the past and how I dealt with the stress in an upcoming post.

For those of you who have baldness or who have experienced baldness like me what advice can you offer other forgotten naturals on how to fashionably hide weak and bald areas?