I need hair help, girlfriends!!

[LikeASista]

I'm getting really tired of my hair these days. I've been having bad hair days for the past few weeks now, I'm due for another touch-up, and early this week I just got fed up with it. Maybe this will all over with soon, but lately I've been considering braids. I'm VERY interested in micro braids, or the invisible micro braids. I believe Brandy wore them best in her "You Don't Know Me" video. Anybody know what I'm talking about? I know it would take a good 10 hours to get done, but I'm curious about the price. Does anybody have an idea of how much it would cost to get those done, and whether I could be fortunate enough to find a beautician who makes house calls?

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No weapon formed against me shall prosper, for I am a child of the Most High God, Who sits upon the Throne of Grace, and rules all Heaven and Earth.

Micro-braids can take up to 30 hrs to complete depending on length and width of the braids,and the price ranges from 200-500 dollars. If you find a braider, please, I can't stress this enough make sure she/he is licensed and reputable. Look at some of the stylist previous work or better yet if you see someone on the street ask them. Then call the braider for a consultation. Micro-braids are pretty, but they can also take your hair out from the root, also known as traction alopecia. This in turn results in thin to non-existent edges (like Brandy)if done incorrectly or worn for extended periods of time. I hope I've helped.

[Taykimson]

Soror LikeASista,

There was a post about a month ago that was originally about skin care, but I got side tracked and mentioned my favorite hair care book. The last post was June 8th. I would tell you the name of the book, but I never get it quite right, and I'm feeling too lazy to get up and go get it. So check out the post and the book mentioned. There is nothing earth shattering in the book - just a compilation of a lot of good hair practices. It made a difference for me.

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Alpha Kappa Alpha
17-Alpha Phi-91



[This message has been edited by Taykimson (edited July 05, 2000).]

[humblebumblebee]

LikaASista,
I am the queen of Micros, and let me tell you I wouldn't have it any other way!
It takes about 12-14 hrs to get my hair braided (because my hair is really thick) and it costs $250. My braids usually lasts about 4 months because I get my hairline rebraided after 2 months to keep my braids looking fresh.
HumbleBumbleBee

FYI: That is $250 Chicago dollars.

[onesavvydiva]

I always say that whenever a topic is on my mind, by the time I get to the board, someone else has posted it...scary...

Anyway, my mother is 42 years old(or 42 years "young", let her tell it), but she is experiencing thinning at the crown of her head. She isn't bald but basically about 3 years ago, someone gave her a bad perm, it was too strong for her fine hair, and it caused the top to fall out.

It grew back, but it's never fully recovered. It's really thin, she wanted me to put a track up there to kind of "bodify" it, but I think that is a bad idea, I think it will actually aggravate the scalp more when going to remove the hairpiece.

Anyway, she asked me about Rogaine for women, I don't know anything about it, so I came to the faithful boards, b/c I know someone here has tried it or knows someone who has...Please advise, my mom is the ORIGINAL diva, and I want her to feel good about herself!!

Thanks in advance..

P.S. LIKEASISTA>>>whatever you do, don't get desperate and cut it all off, you WILL REGRET IT!!! Bear through you summertime hair woes, like the SF said braids may be a viable option, but make sure you check references...not everyone who CLAIMS they are braiders are master's of the trade....one final piece of advice....YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!

[RedAngel]

Hi Sisterfriends,
Onesavvydiva, I caution against using Rogaine based on what you mentioned on your post. I used Rogaine a few years ago when my hair was thinning out in the front. I was perming back then. My hair came out in balls and I found out I was one of the people that were extra sensitive to Rogaine. I fortunate that I didn't loose enough hair to wear a wig but the experience scared me. My dermatologist put me on Nizoral shampoo which encouraged my hair to grow back and later switched to another product---Kitikiti medicated treatment shampoo from my hairdresser. Rogaine only works for as long as you use it. When you stop using it----you loose that growth. Incidentally, my story started in 1992, I no longer perm, I use minimum straightning comb and my hair is filling in the front slowly while the back is long. I have to admit, It was hard to give up the convenience of a perm but when I look back---it was the best decision I made. I wish your mother best of luck. I'm sorry for the long post. I just wanted to give my .13 cents!
RedAngel
11-Spr'96
A(NY)AC

[onesavvydiva]

Thanks for the reply RedAngel, I will pass it along to her. I work in a pharmacy and I am totally suspicious of most OTC products that aren't like thoroughly tested and FDA approved. I always like to get others takes on things. Again, thanks...

[pearlsNivy]

Onesavvydiva, I mentioned in another thread that I was advised to use caster oil on my daughter's sclap when she was months old to fill in a bald/thin area. My mother's beautician turned me on to it and it worked. At first I tried to use the oil straight, but I had a hard time managing it, so I mixed it with some inexpensive (green ) hair grease. I hope your mother will try this, it's easy and won't cost her much. Good luck!!

Oh...by the way...
You advised against cutting off all of the hair. I did just that a year ago this month and have never regretted it. My short, tapered style is the easiest style I have ever worn. I go to my same beautician who used to perm my hair, so he knows my head and my hair and knows how to style my hair according to my needs. My only advice to anyone considering it, is to think about it first. If you NEED versality, then this is not a good thing for you to do, unless you are into wigs . I enjoy my short, chemical-free natural because I'm in and out of the beauty shop in roughly 20 minutes and only $8 lighter. Also, now my morning routine only needs time set aside for my 3-year old's thick, growing hair.