Children Have Hair Too! What can I do?

                                                    CHILDREN IN MY CHAIR?



This entry is meant for any child who needs a permanent relaxer intervention.

The most troubling service that I have ever been faced with is doing a relaxer on a child under 12 years of age.
Many mothers in this country are faced with having children and wanting to return to work after having a baby as soon as possible.

The troubled economy has made an impact on how I am asked to participate in  a young families life in terms of taking care of the hair of an infant girl's hair.

The fact that, in a two parent family, both parents needing to work means that a little girl who needs a lot of help with her hair has a hard time looking as sweet as the parents would like.

What is a little girl to do?

If a young family can afford it, they will take her to a trusted cosmetologist for help. Very often, if the child is under an age that the stylist is comfortable working on, the child will be turned away. Fearing of damaging the child's hair, and the possibility of seriously burning the scalp.
Burning the scalp could cause scaring that might prevent healthy hair from growing forever.

Being faced with the desperation of parents needing to free up time that would go into the hair care of a young child has created a stressful conversation. The parents may threaten to find somebody to do it no matter what.

Now what?

If anyone has ever thought that the life of a hair tech doing his job is a fluffy job?

Please consider the trust that is given to the stylist by parents who have no choice but to place the care of their most beloved possession in your hands.

STRESSFUL FOR SURE!

The trust that the stylist has in his own ability to do such a job has to come from a place of loving care and the ability to understand the descriptive words of a child who does not have full command of there own language.

Is your heart pounding like mine is right now?  Just writing the passage give me palpitations!

I have washed the relaxer out of the hair prematurely. Hearing the words " Mr. Tommy my head itches" demands immediately that I make an important decision.

To wash or not to wash???

I wash. No matter what. I wash the hair immediately.
Sometimes the relaxer has been left on long enough, but most often the hair doesn't have even relaxation to do much good.

So it needs to be repeated in a week. This is a corrective service and is done with no added charge to the parents.

I should have turned the kid away!

NO!

Sometimes you just need to suck it up and move gently and cautiously forward.

Truly

Tommy the Hair Guy.

Uncommon Knowledge!

                                   The Permanent Problem

When talking about Perms (relaxers or curly permanents) there  are cultural influences that confuse the simple term (perm).

People with highly textured hair ”kinky to extremely wavy” call relaxers “perms” and people with naturally straight hair might call curly permanents “perms”.

What makes the term “perm” apply to all types of  hair, no matter whether the hair needs to be relaxed or curled? The mere fact is that if it changes the structure of the hair permanently it is a perm.

Hair colors are rarely referred to as a “perm” color, rather the description “permanent color” is most correct to keep terms from being confusing.

“Good News For bad hair” articles are meant to give clear understanding for clients to use common terms that a stylist will most likely understand.

 With that said, another thing that clients need to understand is when ever any type of permanent product is used the product will affect the hair till that hair is cut of completely.

A half inch a month is average for new hair growth, so for 12 inches of new growth you would arrive one year after your permanent service at a point when you could have a different permanent done.

I have heard clients say that they had a permanent color six months ago so now they want a relaxer.

Well, if you have 12 inches of permanently colored hair and now you want it relaxed you will have devastating results if you are not using a relaxer that is specifically designed for this service.

They do exist!

Research different product lines and ask lots of questions.

Truly

Tommy the Hair Guy

Is That a Brazilian On Your Had?

                                              A Brazilian on your head.

Brazil has been forever etched in the minds of most Americans as a place where beauty and rich culture is a way of life and celebrated the world over.  From some of the most beautiful people in the world to the most beautiful music in the world. 

Brazil is a country of people of great ethnic diversity. 

The Brazilian Indians, Africans, Europeans bring different physical characteristics to the current population.

The skin, hair and eye color. 

Given by each country's genetic information, blended together  offers a pallet of color for Mother Nature to create a population of people with breath taking beauty.

Africa and the characteristics it offers to the mix, brings texture to Brazilian hair. From tightly coiled hair to  a fuzzy mass of kink, the European's idea of beauty is not any of these. Brazilians, like people all over the world want the typical European smooth, silky, shiny, soft, etc hair.

Brazilians are also known for their artistic nature, as well as scientific know how.

So!

 A Brazilian artistic scientist created the Brazilian Keratin Treatment.

Brilliant person!!!

Also known as BKT, this treatment has given the world of cosmetology a tool that can render the fuzziest and turn it the most beautiful soft, silky, and shiny hair one could ever imagine. 

Really!

This process is truly a God send for people who could use more control of their coif in very hot humid weather. 

Anyone living in Florida has probably known about the BKT for a few years now! The use of BKT in an irreplaceable tool for maintaining smooth, silky hair in the most humid weather.

But!

The chemicals that are used to make this miracle possible have been viewed by many people  as dangerous and toxic.

The truth about many things like carpeting, and countless other necessary household appliances can bring issues of toxicity into our lives. Innocently bought  without question, we live day in and day out with products that are difficult to live without. Literally living with chemicals that will not be rinsed away after we use them.

Like anything that comes in contact with our skin and respiratory system BKT does give off fumes that can effect us. Dryness of the eyes nose, and mouth. Even light headed ness has been experienced by myself and others working near the service area while the process is being administered.

Unlike the fumes given off by our carpeting (even after cleaning) still release gases that can be more harmful than our exposure to the chemicals in the Brazilian Keratin Treatment. 

The gases are rinsed out totally and a sheath of protective keratin is left behind, to do its magic!

I am a certified instructor for a brand of the Brazilian Keratin Treatment and have reviewed information  supplied by O.S.H.A. Available to the general public for consumer information related to safety. 

There are clear safety guide lines for its use, and if one is exposed for more than eight hours there may be toxic affects.

A technician has to be aware of information from O.S.H.A. for safety guide lines.

BKT is safe but as with any chemical, please be careful!

BTK CAN BE USED ON GENTLY RELAXED HAIR WITH BEAUTIFUL RESULTS!

This double process can actually could help hair grow, but the amount of heat must be considered!

Thank you Brooklyn !

I can not advise doing this process yourself, a professional will know all the safety rules and the out come will be more consistant. 

Truly

Tommy the Hair Guy

It's Not Just About Hair!

If you have been reading my blog you may have thought I don't approve of relaxers.

This not at all the case!

I have been chemically relaxing hair for almost forty years. Wow! It doesn't feel like it's been that long, but it is true.

I can only guess that the fact that I love doing what I do has sped me forward in time?

I am very grateful to my clients who have followed and stayed with me through the years, people like the Honorable Judge Pamela Alexander, who has been one of my

greatest supporters in my private life as well as my business. Thanks Pam!

Many of my clients are responsible for the speedy passage of time while I'm behind them doing their hair.

My responsibility to my clients is to do my very best in my delivering a service that keeps them looking good, and feeling the joy we share as we visit. 

It's not just about hair.

We laughed together and what would life be without a few tears.

I have lots of "soap operas " brought to me daily.

At times it's not easy being so close to so many people, but at the end of the day I go home thinking about the load of lives I take home with me in my memory. I love my days of caring for my lovely friends. And I feel that they care for me too!

This blog entry is not meant to do anything, but to let you the reader know how I desire to bring knowledge and as much care as I can through the process of blogging.

This is a wonderful way for me to let it all out. To give away all of the knowledge I have accumulated over a span of forty years. LOTS of stuff between my ears. I don't want it to go unused by anyone who could benefit from it.

Please don't think that this a "goodbye" entry, I can't afford to retire yet.

Good thing I love my job! 

Which leads me to something else that has been firing up a different set of brain cells.

I have a gift store! Online!

Although!!!

This summer Minneapolis will sell permits to venders who will sell their goods at flea markets around the city. I will be selling items from my store in a physical way.

But if you can't wait you can find my store "American Gift Resource "

I'm going to preview some of the goods I sell from time to time, so please look for more info on where I'll be selling things you might need.

Yours truly

Tommy the Hair Guy

STRESS! REALLY???

The idea that stress is why ones hair falls out could be true, but who can really answer that question?

Your Doctor by asking you a series of questions might be able to help, however before going to see your doctor check and make sure that you or your hair professional are not causing the hair loss ?

After years of hearing ladies express concern that their hair is coming out, the only thing I can do is make sure that I am not causing it by choosing treatments and processes poorly.

Asking about hair care at home has revealed a problem that can be easily remedied.

Education is a powerful tool! 

Your hair stylist can only tell you what he or she has license to tell you.

When the stylist has exhausted all theories to no positive out come, the only thing that can be advised is to talk to a dermatologist!

There are so many systemic reasons for falling hair and making sure that falling hair does not come from a more serious problem go see your doctor.

So in the mean time read webmd's suggestions!

"Easy Does It

One other way to thin hair is self-inflicted - hairstyles like cornrows or too-tight braids can cause hair loss called traction alopecia.

All of the things women do to manipulate their hair -- dyes, chemical treatments, bad brushes, blow dryers, and flat irons -- can result in damage and breakage, Roberts says. This includes brushing too much and towel drying aggressively when the hair is wet.

Luckily, for most of these issues, the hair grows back or the loss can be reversed with medical treatments. But it is important to see a dermatologist if there seems to be something wrong, because the sooner treatment is started, the better the chances are for improving your growing season."

Please leave comments and questions in the comment box.

Truly

Tommy the hair Guy

Haunted Hair?

                           The phantom haircut

                  There is a phantom cutting your hair and she might be using YOUR HANDS!

It is very easy to stop the phantom hair cutter from keeping you from your goal if attaining beautiful long hair.

The brittleness that happens after relaxers and heat on dirty hair, makes the phantom show up when you are doing your best to be sleek, smooth and shiny.

Indeed YOU might be the culprit who is inadvertently braking and crushing the ends of your hair by starting to turn your curling iron to soon.

The condition is called “fish hooking”.

The next time you curl your hair make sure you don’t start turning your curling iron until all your hair that you are trying to curl enters the curling barrel and the blade.

If you notice that this is happening you will also notice the ends look like spikes or even a jagged sort of a blunt chop.

To maintain the healthy unbroken ends ask your hair stylist to trim your ends up to the healthy ends to give your hair a reprieve.

At this point remember to make sure that all your hair goes totally through the curling iron blade and barrel before turning the curling iron.

I also want to remind you about trying to curl your hair with any heated tool. DON’T do it on dirty hair! Wash your hair every three days if using heated tools.

This will also conjure up the phantom from the dark place that wants to break your hair.

There is another phantom cutter and she shows up at night while you are sleeping in rollers.

This phantom whispers in your ear and tries to convince you that you will save time in the morning.

You might lose a little time looking for the rollers that miss phantom pulled out of your hair deep in a night of tossing a turning. When you find the fallen rollers you will also find strands of hair still neatly curled up in that roller. Now imagine seven nights a week of hair being literally pulled from your hair.

No wonder you can’t get long hair!

You may ask? Well smarty pants, tell me how I can curl my hair and not lose time in the morning?

Try putting rollers in your hair DRY. Place a plastic cap on your head and enjoy a 
nice warm shower or bath.

When you get away from the humid air in the bathroom, after you have dressed and had your tea or your preference of your kick starting beverage.

Take out your rollers and style.  Be you tea full! Get it?

Good luck lovely!

Tommy the Hair Guy

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Pressing the Issue

                                                  Sorry Dr. Maya Angelou!

A few years ago I was asked by my then client Betty Burdett to help Dr. Maya Angelou with her hair before a lecture she was going to give at a local college. I thought she had a relaxer and I knew I would be able to hook the good Dr. Up. However when I called her to set up the appointment I was informed that she liked to have her hair pressed and curled.

"Um" I said! I am sorry I don't know how to press and curl.

I had no choice but to find someone who knew how.

The conversation became uncomfortable for me because I got the insinuation that I didn't want to do Dr. Angelou's hair. The statement " well you better know what you are doing because the Dr. has real bad hair".

I  tried to clear the air by telling her the absolute truth which was that I had never learned.

She didn't believe what I was saying . " Didn't you go to beauty school" she asked?" I said yes, but not all beauty schools teach press and curl.

After talking to the woman on the other end of the line, I was exasperated and upset that I would not be doing the hair of this grand dame of the culture that is my culture, I had betrayed by not knowing how to do a press and curl. 

I have since learned how to do this antiquated technique. So! Now I am prepared to help anyone who wants me to do a press and curl for them.

Now that I know how easy it is I understand why she didn't believe that I didn't know how to do this for her.

It has become very important for me to learn or at least have a decent understanding of the obligations I have to the African American beauty culture.

Press and curl is a very good way to grow your hair as long as it is genetically possible.

With a press and curl the hair is still virgin and strong enough to withstand  the harsh effects of  permanent colors that would blister and break chemically relaxed hair.

Please feel free to give comment?

Tommy the Hair Guy       

http://youtu.be/MZvzYtGoqec video on how to press and curl;-@


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