Soooo, I want went to see the movie Good Hair. I thought the movie was good, but left out a huge chunk of hair styles: naturally textured hair. The movie went into detail about perms and weaves (did you know that weaves are shaved off women’s heads in India and then sacrificed to God), but there was no praise or education about women who choose not to perm or mask their hair.

Ever since the Lion turned about three months my hair has not been the same. It started shedding, and at first I thought it was breakage. I soon realized these hairs were coming out at the root. Well, I thought, this is clearly hormones having their way. It continued to accelerate for a two month period. I thought it was my punishment for introducing formula so early to the Lion. As I produced less and less milk, I saw bigger and bigger clumps of hair in my comb, and on my pillow and all over the bathroom floor. Hair shedding is scary, really scary for me. Around January it began to ease up, but it never really stopped.

I continued to perm my hair every 10 weeks. When the summer rolled around I went from early May until mid-August sans chemicals. I was working out and swimming and had no one to impress. When the summer ended and it was time for me to re-enter corporate America, I just did not feel like my hair looked professional, so I caved in and permed it. I regret this decision, because it was a new salon for me. I was looking for a place to get my hair done in Stamford, and I had a recommendation for this particular salon. The hairdresser ran the perm through my ends and left it on for waaayyyyyyy too long. Here’s where the story gets even dumber. I went back to the salon two weeks later, and when she realized the perm had not taken very well, she permed my ENTIRE head all over again. Now, you may be asking, why did I go back? Why did I allow this? etc, etc. I don’t know. I don’t know why I didn’t speak up. I think I was truly afraid of being left to deal with my hair myself, so I preferred to let someone else ruin it, as long as it looked decent at the time.

Oh the consequences of such naivety. August was the last time I got a perm, and Lord-willing my last perm ever. I am officially going natural. I am going to grow out my relaxer over the next year or so, and then do the big chop. I also plan to see an expert dermatologist about the shedding, but between the hormones and horrible haircare, I’m sure I already have the answer and cause for the extreme shedding. Two weeks ago I cut off several inches. I figured if I cut it twice a month it will help the transition. I am surrounding myself with supporters and have started reading curly blogs such as Curly Nikki. I also believe this a great decision because if we ever have girl I am not going to perm her hair, and I wanted to be able to lead by example.

November 3rd, 2009 • Hair, Wife.

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