Has anyone experienced hair damage from going to Dominican hair stylists?

[janiebaby]

I know that it may be a sensitive topic because everyone loves the end result, including myself, but has anyone experienced any hair breakage and damage by getting their hair done at a dominican hair salon?

I've noticed for awhile now that my hair is definitely not as thick as it used to be and that's from not having as much hair as I used to have throughout my head and because my hair is weaker. I also have tons of broken hairs. BUT through all this my hair is still very long.

I remember telling a friend when I discovered the damage that I would rather have damaged hair that looked good than healthy hair that looked bad but now I'm not too sure.

I'm too scared to go back to AA salons because #1 they are too expensive and they don't know how to care for hair too much better and I know that the first words out of their mouth will be "Girl, who did this to your hair?" and I don't need that right now (trust me this has happened on quite a few occasions).

I mean whenever I tell someone I go to a Dominican hair stylist people are just so impressed but I know the damage that it has caused especially since I have relaxed hair maybe if I were natural it wouldn't be as big a problem and my hair would be able to take the stress. I always warn against it but I feel like a hypocrite because I have become dependant on them. (Kinda like telling a virgin not to have sex when you already had it so they think you just don't want them to have their fun too). People clamor around and others act like they aren't that impressed while straining to hear me mention an address so that they can rush down to get their hair done there too.

ETA: I would also like to add that my dominican hair stylist knows that my hair is getting weaker and could care less. She acts as if I'm doing something to my hair at home that is making it this way or that my hair is just weak which is far from the truth. I have 4a/4b hair and it is/was very thick.

My questions are:

1) Have dominican hair salons affected your hair in a negative way?

2) If so, how did you get your hair back to a healthy state?

3) Has anyone been able to successfully go to dominican hair salons and keep their hair healthy (not just long)?

Feel free to PM me as well....TIA

 

[MiWay]

I used to go every other week, and sometimes weekly. I definitely noticed that my hair was getting thinner, and it was breaking in the crown. Once I saw the breakage, I stopped going. I also noticed that my scalp got a lot more tender in the crown area as a result of the blowouts. Whenever the put the blowdryer in that area, I wanted to cry...it burned like it was on fire. I decided to learn how to rollerset on my own. While my blowouts may not be as good as the salon, my hair is much healthier, and my scalp thanks me.

 

[janiebaby]

I used to go every other week, and sometimes weekly. I definitely noticed that my hair was getting thinner, and it was breaking in the crown. Once I saw the breakage, I stopped going. I also noticed that my scalp got a lot more tender in the crown area as a result of the blowouts. Whenever the put the blowdryer in that area, I wanted to cry...it burned like it was on fire. I decided to learn how to rollerset on my own. While my blowouts may not be as good as the salon, my hair is much healthier, and my scalp thanks me.

Yes, it also irritates me when they use the little tiny comb to do the rollerset. I can't even watch the clumps of hair that come out. I just keep thinking about the end result. I won't even get into the blowdrying when I have to tilt my head back, I feel like there is nothing left to pull up front.

 

[kweenameena]

I'm natural...I went this summer for a blow out and my hair is still trying to recover from the damage. So don't be fooled into thinking it's not as damaging for us naturals. I kinda think it's worse! It takes a lot more heat and manipulation to make a natural straight than it would a relaxed head. Maybe you could get them to only blow out your roots. Or maybe just do the rollers, no blow-out and wrap it (or saran-wrap) at night.

 

[amwcah]

I was wondering about this technique. A DB has been on my list of things to try once I reached my goal. Maybe not???erplexed

 

[shocol]

I've never been to a Dominican stylist, but I don't even like to sit under the hooded dryer for a long time. So I already know that I'm not letting anyone come near my head with the kind of heat they use at Dominican salons.

 

[LunadeMiel]

I've experience a lot hair thinining, dry scalp, dandruff and extra sensitive scalp from going to the Dominican salons regularly. I used to go to the salon weekly. I first started noticing that my hair was thinining at the begininng of 2005 so I decided to cut it from apl to about mid ear lenght thinking that would solve the problem. Don't get me wrong my hair was cute everytime that I left the salon. But the more I went and the longer my hair got I begun to notice the thinning again (also, my darn hairstylist would trim my hair every 4 weeks which totally did away with most of my growth). Finally, around June of this year (about the time that I found Lhcf) I decided to stop going and transition to natural (which was the best decision that I could have made). Thankfully, all of my scalp issues are gone. I haven't had an itchy scalp in months.

Also my aunt just cut her hair from mbl to barely apl because of years of blow outs with ruined her hair.

 

[Lovelylocs]

It's not healthy to let them blow out your hair too often. I know many dominicans who do their own dominican blowouts. They are much gentler w/their own hair than any stylist. Their hair is healthy. The people who get their hair blown out weekly by the Dominicans usually have fried hair.

 

[SunySydeofLyfe]

I did and its severe. I was wearing a sew in weave with a natural skin part. It was less expensive to go to the Dominican's to have my hair shampoo'd. My first mind said dont let her blow dry the hair that was left out but not listening to that inner voice left me with that hair broken to the new growth . So I am left with no bangs and a V shaped section in the top of my head that is about 2 inches long. Currently I am using no heat and keeping the hair braided, I refuse to go to my AA hairstylist cause she is going to want to cut it even...and i am not up for that grow out challenge. IMHO their products are good so the shampooing is ok, but stear clear of the heat

 

[mzhotniz86]

i swear everytime i see one of these dominican threads i always go back to my journal ! lol here is a entry i made about a salon i went to last year that gave me a lopsided trim http://www.longhaircareforum.com/journal.php?do=showentry&e=3468&enum=1


i learned my lesson since then. i dont think im gonna stop going to dominicans completely, i just have to find one that understands my haircare needs. i learned that truly, the only person who will care about my hair is me.

 

[Blkprincess]

I regret my trip to the Dominican salon, they were so rough!!! the washer used her nails on my scalp...ouch....the rollerset lady combed from root to tip ripping out soooo much hair....what I regret the most is letting the blowout lady "trim" my hair.....my hair feels soooo short now....I still have breakage..in the crown area is so short, like Alfalfa in little rascals .you can see so many short areas where it broke off from the combing....they really set me back because I was almost past mbl. my relatives are always asking me why did I cut my hair because it is so apparent it wasn't just a "trim"

don't get me wrong, my hair did look great...but it wasn't worth it for me...maybe I need to try another salon (it will be a long time though, I'm still traumatized by my experience!!)...I need someone who will give my hair the tlc it needs when it's being managed!! I'm tenderheaded, so much so my mother gave up styling my hair at age 7and showed me how to part and cornrow it myself!! the last pic is the most is recent

 

[janiebaby]

I'm natural...I went this summer for a blow out and my hair is still trying to recover from the damage. So don't be fooled into thinking it's not as damaging for us naturals. I kinda think it's worse! It takes a lot more heat and manipulation to make a natural straight than it would a relaxed head. Maybe you could get them to only blow out your roots. Or maybe just do the rollers, no blow-out and wrap it (or saran-wrap) at night.

I really thought that there was hope I was thinking about not getting the blow out but my roots would be too much to handle without it.

 

[janiebaby]

I've experience a lot hair thinining, dry scalp, dandruff and extra sensitive scalp from going to the Dominican salons regularly. I used to go to the salon weekly. I first started noticing that my hair was thinining at the begininng of 2005 so I decided to cut it from apl to about mid ear lenght thinking that would solve the problem. Don't get me wrong my hair was cute everytime that I left the salon. But the more I went and the longer my hair got I begun to notice the thinning again (also, my darn hairstylist would trim my hair every 4 weeks which totally did away with most of my growth). Finally, around June of this year (about the time that I found Lhcf) I decided to stop going and transition to natural (which was the best decision that I could have made). Thankfully, all of my scalp issues are gone. I haven't had an itchy scalp in months.

Also my aunt just cut her hair from mbl to barely apl because of years of blow outs with ruined her hair.

Wow, you sound like me!!!! I really want to transition now based on my experience. I also have had some serious dandruff since I've been there the size of snowflakes. It's unbelievable...

 

[janiebaby]

I regret my trip to the Dominican salon, they were so rough!!! the washer used her nails on my scalp...ouch....the rollerset lady combed from root to tip ripping out soooo much hair....what I regret the most is letting the blowout lady "trim" my hair.....my hair feels soooo short now....I still have breakage..in the crown area is so short, like Alfalfa in little rascals .you can see so many short areas where it broke off from the combing....they really set me back because I was almost past mbl. my relatives are always asking me why did I cut my hair because it is so apparent it wasn't just a "trim"

don't get me wrong, my hair did look great...but it wasn't worth it for me...maybe I need to try another salon (it will be a long time though, I'm still traumatized by my experience!!)...I need someone who will give my hair the tlc it needs when it's being managed!! I'm tenderheaded, so much so my mother gave up styling my hair at age 7and showed me how to part and cornrow it myself!! the last pic is the most is recent

Yes, and someone will just look at your hair and never think about all the damage just the length. A good salon is so hard to come by and I really need someone to help me fix the problem but...(I already listed the reasons for not wanting to go back to the AA salon).

Oh yeah, Alfalfa is right. I cannot get those hairs to lay down for anything.erplexed

 

[Fine 4s]

I know that it may be a sensitive topic because everyone loves the end result, including myself, but has anyone experienced any hair breakage and damage by getting their hair done at a dominican hair salon?

I've noticed for awhile now that my hair is definitely not as thick as it used to be and that's from not having as much hair as I used to have throughout my head and because my hair is weaker. I also have tons of broken hairs. BUT through all this my hair is still very long.

I remember telling a friend when I discovered the damage that I would rather have damaged hair that looked good than healthy hair that looked bad but now I'm not too sure.

I'm too scared to go back to AA salons because #1 they are too expensive and they don't know how to care for hair too much better and I know that the first words out of their mouth will be "Girl, who did this to your hair?" and I don't need that right now (trust me this has happened on quite a few occasions).

I mean whenever I tell someone I go to a Dominican hair stylist people are just so impressed but I know the damage that it has caused especially since I have relaxed hair maybe if I were natural it wouldn't be as big a problem and my hair would be able to take the stress. I always warn against it but I feel like a hypocrite because I have become dependant on them. (Kinda like telling a virgin not to have sex when you already had it so they think you just don't want them to have their fun too). People clamor around and others act like they aren't that impressed while straining to hear me mention an address so that they can rush down to get their hair done there too.

ETA: I would also like to add that my dominican hair stylist knows that my hair is getting weaker and could care less. She acts as if I'm doing something to my hair at home that is making it this way or that my hair is just weak which is far from the truth. I have 4a/4b hair and it is/was very thick.

My questions are:

1) Have dominican hair salons affected your hair in a negative way?

2) If so, how did you get your hair back to a healthy state?

3) Has anyone been able to successfully go to dominican hair salons and keep their hair healthy (not just long)?

Feel free to PM me as well....TIA

1) Have dominican hair salons affected your hair in a negative way?
YES. Extreme heat used oh my fine 4 strands lead to heat damaged and my hair does not curl up anymore.

2) If so, how did you get your hair back to a healthy state? Still on my way to healthy hair. I cut out heat completely and do protective styling. Instead of cutting it off I opted to grow it out.

3) Has anyone been able to successfully go to dominican hair salons and keep their hair healthy (not just long)? Maybe but it would not work for me. And btw, I've seen some women with long hair on this site who have gone to DR salons and frankly, I see how thin their hair appears however, still long. I guess it depends on your goal.

 

[26INCHHAIR]

Im never going to a Domincan shop to get my hair blown out ever again. I went once and they gave me broken hair in several spots. MY hair didnt thin out because I only went once though. First they had an attitude cuz I hadnt had a perm for a while and kept saying that all my hair would fall out. Then they were speaking in spanish saying i had pelo malo which is what they use to describe AA textured hair specifically type 4. MY hair was smoking when I left out of there. They werent really used to hair that was as course as mine and as a result they were blow drying the heck out of it....never again...my hair did come out cute but which prolonged treatments there, I def would have had major damage and breakage. MY sister went and they kept using super relaxer on her fine hair which as a result is thinning. Id rather just go to AA hair stylists because they arent so ENRAGED by 4a hair.

 

[janiebaby]

1) Have dominican hair salons affected your hair in a negative way?
YES. Extreme heat used oh my fine 4 strands lead to heat damaged and my hair does not curl up anymore.

2) If so, how did you get your hair back to a healthy state? Still on my way to healthy hair. I cut out heat completely and do protective styling. Instead of cutting it off I opted to grow it out.

3) Has anyone been able to successfully go to dominican hair salons and keep their hair healthy (not just long)? Maybe but it would not work for me. And btw, I've seen some women with long hair on this site who have gone to DR salons and frankly, I see how thin their hair appears however, still long. I guess it depends on your goal.

The last two times I went, I noticed that my hair hasn't been able to keep a curl the way it used to. I'm so upset!

 

[brownsugarflyygirl]

I dont personally go to a Dominican salon...but my friend did and it caused her broken edges and thinner hair. She is now going to an AA stylist, deep conditioning weekly, using topical scalp cream, and taking vitamins to get her hair back up to par.

 

[naturallygoldie]

Newbie here..HELLO.

1) Have dominican hair salons affected your hair in a negative way? I've been going for about 4 months and my hair never felt so nice (i'll be posting pics...eventually argh) I went to an AA salon for 7 years and not once has my hair been so like hair is supposed to be...

2) If so, how did you get your hair back to a healthy state? My DR gals (and LHCF) actually brought my hair up to a healthy state.

3) Has anyone been able to successfully go to dominican hair salons and keep their hair healthy (not just long)? I have BUT please understand that I do not dare let them near me with that blow torch..I mean blow dryer. The smell of burnt hair is yucky. I also speak up when they're being too rough with my tresses.

 

[janiebaby]

Newbie here..HELLO.

1) Have dominican hair salons affected your hair in a negative way? I've been going for about 4 months and my hair never felt so nice (i'll be posting pics...eventually argh) I went to an AA salon for 7 years and not once has my hair been so like hair is supposed to be...

2) If so, how did you get your hair back to a healthy state? My DR gals (and LHCF) actually brought my hair up to a healthy state.

3) Has anyone been able to successfully go to dominican hair salons and keep their hair healthy (not just long)? I have BUT please understand that I do not dare let them near me with that blow torch..I mean blow dryer. The smell of burnt hair is yucky. I also speak up when they're being too rough with my tresses.

Hey newbie! I used to be just like you until 4 months turned into off and on for years

How do you keep your roots straight and what type of hair do you have (mine is coarse)?

 

[crazydaze911]

I'm natural...I went this summer for a blow out and my hair is still trying to recover from the damage. So don't be fooled into thinking it's not as damaging for us naturals. I kinda think it's worse! It takes a lot more heat and manipulation to make a natural straight than it would a relaxed head. Maybe you could get them to only blow out your roots. Or maybe just do the rollers, no blow-out and wrap it (or saran-wrap) at night.

My thoughts exactly. I only go to two places now. The one i really like is in another borough and i'm not always ready to pay $9.00 in toll, so i have one in the bronx as well, which is almost as good. I only get rollers with roots blown ONCE a month and have experienced no ill effects yet. I used to go every week when i was a teenager but they (different salon) would somehow manage to burn my forehead or ears each time.
I know you already know this, but ALL DOMINICAN SALONS are not the same. They are very similar in technique but by no means the same. I went to one (my friend worked there and was gonna get me a discount) that was horrible. the ladies (who were actually men) were arguing over petty things and the one doing my hair kept blowdrying and blowdrying and blowdrying. i thought it would NEVER end. it was so unneccesary.
So heres my advice since there are differences. when going to ANY salon, start out by WARNING them of how picky you are (in a nice way) except OVER EXAGGERATE. Hearing this will make them VERY careful with your hair - at least for me. And when you end up being less picky then you warned them, they will feel relieved - lol.

 

[luvmesumhair]

1) Have dominican hair salons affected your hair in a negative way?

YES!!! I remember sitting in the chair one day after getting a blowout and being able to see right through my hair at the stylist standing behind me talking about how long my hair had gotten. Yes it was long but very thin to the point I can see through it. The stylist also gave me a lopsided trim as well! What the hell is wrong with these people? They can't see that it is lopsided?

2) If so, how did you get your hair back to a healthy state?

Well after noticing that I was able to see thru my hair I decided to start taking care of my hair by myself. I stumbled on to LHCF by accident when I was looking for good quality hair and googled Lugos and this site came up. Once I was in it I was hooked and started noticing all the wrong things I was doing to my hair. So now I do not use ANY HEAT. I shampoo, deep condition, airdry then put my hair up in a protective style (at least for the winter season). I went to the Dominicans last week for a blowout (roots only) to get a length check but that is it for now. But I may go on the 26th because I have an occassion to go to. My hair is underprocessed. That is the ONLY reason why I am going.

3) Has anyone been able to successfully go to dominican hair salons and keep their hair healthy (not just long)?

Not me!

 

[naturallygoldie]

Hey newbie! I used to be just like you until 4 months turned into off and on for years

How do you keep your roots straight and what type of hair do you have (mine is coarse)?

Hi Janie..(my 1st response...I'm so ecstatic)

My hair is medium coarse and my roots were a horror story before I started using the FNWL Coconut Creme Oil. When my roots get outta hand, I just some of that on the ng and either wrap then silk scarf or pin it up, silk scarf and then move th pin out

 

[shellatl]

My hair use to be bra-strap length when I started going to the Dominicans, and I noticed it was getting shorter and shorter. When it was time to relax my hair, they would leave the relaxer on for at least 45 minutes. They are never quick about getting it on and off. I stop getting the blowouts and just opted for the wash and set, then I stop going all together. It's very frustrating. The blowout just put too much stress on my hair. My hair is not strong enough for that type of styling.

I am now using the Indian products to get my hair to a healthly state. I have to take responsible for my hair from now on.

 

[luvmesumhair]

I am sorry but what does AA mean?

 

[luvmesumhair]

My hair use to be bra-strap length when I started going to the Dominicans, and I noticed it was getting shorter and shorter. When it was time to relax my hair, they would leave the relaxer on for at least 45 minutes. They are never quick about getting it on and off. I stop getting the blowouts and just opted for the wash and set, then I stop going all together. It's very frustrating. The blowout just put too much stress on my hair. My hair is not strong enough for that type of styling.

I am now using the Indian products to get my hair to a healthly state. I have to take responsible for my hair from now on.

Me to! I did one last night by the way. My underprocessed hair felt soooo much better after doing it. I think I am getting the hang of this Indian thing! I can't wait to do it again this Sunday!

 

[OneInAMillion]

I am probably the only one to post a positive experience, but here goes


1) Have Dominican hair salons affected your hair in a negative way?
My experience was negative when I had my hair blown out from root to tip weekly was bad. However, I have fine hair and at the time I was double processed. NOW, I have texturized hair and I only get a rollerset and my roots blown out. I've done this since late 2005 and my hair is by no means thin and has even gotten thicker. I do have very fine hair, but that's just how my hair is.

2) If so, how did you get your hair back to a healthy state?
So I got my hair healthy by texturizing and stretching my relaxers.

3) Has anyone been able to successfully go to dominican hair salons and keep their hair healthy (not just long)?
I go weekly and my hair is healthy. I only have heat applied to my roots and my hair looks great. I think the problem is that you can't go to just any salon period. At the two salons that I frequent, the same people do my hair, they detangle gently, and I lose minimal hair during rollersetting. I lose much more hair when I rollerset on my own, another reason that I go to the salon.

Also, just want to add, any salon can be harmful. I had my hair wet wrapped once and that was the worst experience ever .

 

[Fine 4s]

Im never going to a Domincan shop to get my hair blown out ever again. I went once and they gave me broken hair in several spots. MY hair didnt thin out because I only went once though. First they had an attitude cuz I hadnt had a perm for a while and kept saying that all my hair would fall out. Then they were speaking in spanish saying i had pelo malo which is what they use to describe AA textured hair specifically type 4. MY hair was smoking when I left out of there. They werent really used to hair that was as course as mine and as a result they were blow drying the heck out of it....never again...my hair did come out cute but which prolonged treatments there, I def would have had major damage and breakage. MY sister went and they kept using super relaxer on her fine hair which as a result is thinning. Id rather just go to AA hair stylists because they arent so ENRAGED by 4a hair.

OMG! Do you know what they called my hair at that particulaor DR salon? King Kong hair!

I should have said something and never went back but...It's people like me who allow this ignorance to continue and I apologize for that.

They always wanted me to get a perm. The stylist who would blow out my rollerset always defended me, she was from Panama. Most of the stylists there had a friendly relationship with me and perhaps they took too many liberties. It was the woman who washed, never rinsed out my hair properly and who would put rollers in my hair with that tiny tooth comb who HATED it and nicknamed it King Kong (but they all laughed though).

So, I completely understand when you say 'enraged by 4a hair.'

 

[janiebaby]

I am sorry but what does AA mean?

African American

 

[janiebaby]

My thoughts exactly. I only go to two places now. The one i really like is in another borough and i'm not always ready to pay $9.00 in toll, so i have one in the bronx as well, which is almost as good. I only get rollers with roots blown ONCE a month and have experienced no ill effects yet. I used to go every week when i was a teenager but they (different salon) would somehow manage to burn my forehead or ears each time.
I know you already know this, but ALL DOMINICAN SALONS are not the same. They are very similar in technique but by no means the same. I went to one (my friend worked there and was gonna get me a discount) that was horrible. the ladies (who were actually men) were arguing over petty things and the one doing my hair kept blowdrying and blowdrying and blowdrying. i thought it would NEVER end. it was so unneccesary.
So heres my advice since there are differences. when going to ANY salon, start out by WARNING them of how picky you are (in a nice way) except OVER EXAGGERATE. Hearing this will make them VERY careful with your hair - at least for me. And when you end up being less picky then you warned them, they will feel relieved - lol.

You're right about not all Dominican hair salons being the same. I have been to three different ones.

The first one: Never had problems with my edges or split ends. Almost perfect until I stopped going. I soon discovered that some of my hair had broken off (wasn't too noticeable though). Hairstylists thought that I had a thyroid problem but now I realize that it was the Dominican hair salon.

The second one: Spoke perfect english and left color on my hair too long to pay the water bill so there was no way to rinse it out and I didn't know there was a problem until after she put the color in my hair.

The third one: Has caused many split ends and the other problems I listed.

It's also hard to tell them things because sometimes there isn't anyone to translate for me and they will refuse to do your hair if you are too huffy even if it is wet and will still demand payment for services.