THE OTHER CRACK!

I know...what a crazy title for a hair blog. THE OTHER CRACK....Allow me to set the scene. The mother spends 20 minutes looking for the comb and brush. WHY? Because her screaming little girl hates to get her done and has hidden it somewhere....she would rather be scolded and even punished...than to get her hair done. Her poor little tender head has had enough...and...so has the mother......AND......You know what I am about to say.....She, the mother, parent, guardian, hair stylist extraordinaire has had enough also and is on her way to the hair supply store to buy...."THE OTHER CRACK!.....That sodium hydroxide....that white creamy tight curl busting box of  lye and no-lye....to put on that child's hair before I lose my mind.

Now why do I call it THE OTHER CRACK? Because once you use it...you are immediately addicted....I mean the crying and screaming stops.....the hair is so easy to wash, blow dry and curl, right? And who cares that it burned while it was being applied....(BURNING A HUGE WARNING SIGN) ...( I MEAN DID ANYBODY SEE THE MALCOLM X MOVIE) ...The child's hair will never be the same ever....and I mean ever.  The original texture....no matter how beautiful it looks.....is gone forever.

The hair and scalp have been shocked into a chemical journey of.....NOW HAVING TO USE too much heat on the hair, ridiculously tight pony-tails and braids because of the slippery-ness, the heat of the sun in the summer and the cold dry air in the winter, the chemicals in the swimming pool, hats and coat collars that rub and break the hair, and most of all...lots and lots of $$$$$$$$$$$$.

And then as soon as the guilt and conviction really kicks in.... the emotional and financial weight of what it takes to grow all that chemical out.....while she is now crying and screaming about all her hair breaking off and falling out. She is like an addict...caught between a rock and a hard place.

Whether we perm, chemically curl, color or use any type of chemical in our hair.....the hardest thing is...."Do I put these chemicals in my hair for the rest of my life....or...Do I dig deep and work through the transition...to get my natural hair back.....IT IS SO HARD....once you are introduced to THE OTHER CRACK... stopping is so so hard. ***And what we put on our hair and scalp goes into our blood stream....it is not a wise thing to do....no matter how desperate you may become. Seek out a professional and discuss other alternatives.

There are better ways to help your little ladies experience an enjoyable hair moment. First, buy great hair products that support easy combing & brushing that can help get through tangles and tight curls.....Second....PLEASE INVEST IN A BLOW DRYER....Especially African Americans...( One that you hold like a brush, makes it easier to get through the hair, quickly).  My clients who have daughters told me it was the best thing they ever did. Third... braiding all the time...weakens the hair and cause circulation issues and weak edges....and Fourth, buy a satin pillow case or tie a scarf around her head while she sleeps...( Not too tight). seems like a lot of work...however, she is being well-trained to treat her hair with care, respect, and fun. Young ladies who grow up with too much focus and all kinds of challenges with her hair....are grown up ladies with the same mindsets.

Should you be a parent or guardian who has already used a straightening chemical on her child(ren)...there is hope. The process may be slow...however delivering your young lady or even yourself is worth supporting your health and finances. Need further help...Email me at rafreekah@gmail.com. Along with my 40 years of experience...I have a product called Samson's Secret to share with you...get your special code word and get a discount at www.samsonssecret.com