Dominican Salons:Love em or Hate em?

[shakenspirit]

I was really excited today because i found the place where i want to relax my hair and because i received some amazing advice from member Vicky7...who should come in here and give me her advice lol...so she told me to stay away from Dominican Salons but they're the only ones i trust with my hair.So am i missing something,what kinds of experiences have you relaxed ladies had?

 

[lovelexi]

stay away from them although i did choose on the fence. i mean if its a wash n set. i guess its fine, nothing special. but never again will i let them go near my hair with that blow torch of a blow dryer. leaves my hair dry, limp and prone to breakage. along with a burning scalp. since i started college in NY they were my go to. i just wanted straight hair but it wasnt healthy hair. now my ends are even thinner. over time it takes a toll on your hair.

 

[shakenspirit]

stay away from them although i did choose on the fence. i mean if its a wash n set. i guess its fine, nothing special. but never again will i let them go near my hair with that blow torch of a blow dryer. leaves my hair dry, limp and prone to breakage. along with a burning scalp. since i started college in NY they were my go to. i just wanted straight hair but it wasnt healthy hair. now my ends are even thinner. over time it takes a toll on your hair.

If it's only the experience with blow drying then i would expect that to end in disaster anywhere because of all that heat not because its a dominican salon.I don't plan on blow drying i plan on relaxing and rollersetting

 

[Taina]

Love them, while in DR for 22 years i went to a salon every single week (i was relaxed back then). Of course you will have to find a good salon cause not all of them are bad but not all of them are good either. My stylist was a godess, but my sister and mom had problems with theirs and had to make a switch ... so the only thing i could advice is to find a good one.

 

[kiesha8185]

* Deleted *

 

[shakenspirit]

I think there are a couple of things that need to be taken into consideration before getting a dominican blowout: the health of your hair, knowing whether not not your hair is in optimal condition to withstand the heat/manipulation, and the technique of the person doing the dominican blowout.

For me, using heat in moderation is not bad. It lays down the cuticle, prevents tangles, and gives crazy shine! My hair is full and moisturized when I do them. Also, I'm not sure if you are familiar with JenniferMD, but I believe she got DBs twice a month, and her drool-worthy hair is full, thick, and halfway down her back. I don't know many women who can do that (I know I won't try it!) but I'm sure she monitored her hair well enough to know what it can handle.

Also, I used to go to go a lady that knew how to straighten my roots without directing the heat on my scalp, so it didn't burn my scalp. Once I went about 3 months post, and she left my 4b hair looking like I had a fresh touch up! Personally, I wouldn't do it more than 3 times a year.

So, if used in moderation with a competent stylist, with knowledge of YOUR hair and if it's healthy, you shouldn't have a problem. This isn't to say that if your hair can't handle it, then it's not healthy! There are some women whose hair is at optimal health, but maybe they have fine strands so they know all that heat wouldn't be good. However, if you're still learning proper balance between moisture/protein or have issues with breakage, know that a DB is not for you, just yet.

Just do your research and go by recs only.

I'm NOT getting a blow out...I'm getting a relaxer on virgin hair.I don't plan on using any direct heat.I know what you mean thoughf for those who are interested in heat styling

 

[shakenspirit]

I really want to get valuable info so please read what my post is actually about ladiesIM NOT LOOKING TO STRAIGHTEN NATURAL HAIR I WONT BE BLOWDRYING OR FLAT IRONING I WILL BE GETTTING MY NATURAL HAIR RELAXED AND THEN I WILL BE GOING TO GET IT WASH AND SET AFTER THAT PLEASSSE NO ADVICE ON ANYTHING OFF TOPIC THANKSSS

 

[I Am So Blessed]

i voted hate, because alot of them use that round brush that just rakes out hair left and right (ouch!)

 

[EbonyCPrincess]

I used to go all the time when I lived in Jersey and only got a "doobie" or rollerwrap. They never used direct heat at all unless I was due for a touch up and they always asked if I wanted a blow out, and when I said yes, they only did my roots. As for the now much more popular, rollerset followed by a blow out with a bristle brush, I definitely wouldn't do that on the regular for my relaxed hair. But that's just my experience and opinion on it.

 

[lilsparkle825]

Well it wasn't until after I voted that I realized you only wanted opinions on getting a relaxer at a Dominican salon...I mean, I just went by the title...and since I'm natural, can't help ya there....sorry. *shrug*

 

[Mz.MoMo5235]

i personally love them. i only go for a wash and roller set (only when i get to hang on the east coast of course lol). the prods they use are great, they've always been gentle with my hair, never pushed me to get a relaxer, and sometimes they feed me. hell, the food alone gets a thumbs up from my

 

[FutureMD]

Yeah, I think that the problem here is that most people dont' go to Dominicans for relaxers, they go to straighten natural hair OR to stretch relaxers. So I started going to a Dominican salon because I didn't have time to go to a trusted hairdresser 3 hours away for a touch-up, and at a certain point it was going to be too hard to get things caught up and I wound up growing out the relaxed hair and cutting it off.
that being said, I think that MAYBE the fact that good relaxer applications don't seem to be the specialty of Dominican salons, why are you focusing on them for that particular purpose.
The issue with ANYONE doing your relaxer is their attitudes about how hair should look (some people will relax everyone the same no matter their hair texture or thickness), their ability to properly analyze your hair, their knowledge of the science behind the relaxer (a lot of stylists dont' understand this at all), and their willingness to listen to you (do you know how long it takes your hair to break down or how straight you want it)?
I can say that after going to my Dominican salon for 18 months and have great results with the blow out on my partially relaxed and now 100% natural hair, I'd never let my stylist or her cohorts do my relaxer. I've had a chance to see how they do that, and in this salon, they pretty much marinate people's hair in that stuff. They perm their own hair pretty hard, they perm everyone's hair pretty hard, and I dont' really like the way that any of it looks. I know that my hair relaxes quickly and I know that they'd try to keep that relaxer on way too long. I intensely dislike what seems to be a one size fits all approach to relaxing, which I wouldn't have assumed if I hadnt' been watching it every 2 weeks for the past 18 months. But I only know that b/c I've been watching these women, and none of us can or really should tell you if your dominican salon would be a good place to get a relaxer. This board is great, but you have to kind of be careful about asking such a generic question.
But I can't say that no dominican could give me a good relaxer, and in fact my relaxed hair was ruined twice (and I mean destroyed and coming out in clumps) by black American stylists.
Once you get your hair relaxed, it's done. So you should think about how you want your hair relaxed, what you know about how much or long it takes to make it look that way, and then have a consult with a few different stylists to see how knowledgeable they are and how seriously they take the analysis process.
If you get relaxed by someone who gets your hair wrong, you won't be very happy. At it's best, you'll get a nice result and at its worst, you'll lose your hair.
Sorry this didn't answer your question but I think that you should think about what you are asking. Better to investigate the Dominican salons in your area and THEN ask people on the boards if they have had good or bad experiences with them. The language barrier can be a huge issue too...so you need someone that you can communicate with if you have specific instructions for the stylist.

 

[lovelexi]

I really want to get valuable info so please read what my post is actually about ladiesIM NOT LOOKING TO STRAIGHTEN NATURAL HAIR I WONT BE BLOWDRYING OR FLAT IRONING I WILL BE GETTTING MY NATURAL HAIR RELAXED AND THEN I WILL BE GOING TO GET IT WASH AND SET AFTER THAT PLEASSSE NO ADVICE ON ANYTHING OFF TOPIC THANKSSS

i got a relaxer there to. she didnt base my scalp nor did i know that it was something that was absolutely necessary at the time. i can say that she only relaxed my NG and washed it out at the proper time. but then again she used a fine tooth comb which i didnt like and i looking back i doubt they neutralized after because they only used the one bottle of shampoo at the washing station. they did wash my hair really well but i dont think thats enough. idk scope out the salon look for key things to determine if its a good salon. not all are good or bad.

 

[Honey Bee]

I used to get relaxers at a Dominican salon, and they did a good job. They only did the new growth, and it was washed out and neutralized in a timely manner (which, for my hair, is pretty fast, 12 min, tops). After a touch-up, I usually just got a roll and wrap, so no direct heat for me.

Good luck, and try to find a good one. I just noticed your location, maybe you could go to the one I used to go to, Lila's, which is in Harlem, on 147th and St. Nick. I wrote a review about it in the salon forum, let me find the link: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?p=8748726&highlight=#post8748726

 

[4bforreal!!!]

I don't care to go to them. I went to several and because my hair is natural they took one look @ and went to get there perm kit..... i mean what's up with that. lol!!!

 

[ms.blue]

I did my virgin relaxer in dec '05 @ a dominican salon and I'm not going to lie, it came out so beautifully. It was nice & thick with some texture, I absolutely loved it. Now that I'm natural again, I voted on the fence b/c they were able to get my hair straight but I ended up w/ a lot of split ends.
For relaxing I say go for it b/c it won't take much heat to get the hair straight but for natural, I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[arosieworld]

Love! Love! Love them! You have to take into consideration that I am super rough with my hair so I think they are gentle. My hair is also tough at could never be called fragile. I love that they understand the need for moisture and every hair-dresser in there has seen 1a-4z hair before and while they might not all enjoy it they have and will work with it. I think you have to be careful and if its a new salon bring your own conditioner or ask to buy one and then use some there and take it with you. I only say this because I have heard of salons mixing in relaxer and if you don't speak the language you could be more susceptible than normal. You have to accept what you are going for and talk to the person doing your hair. If you get a blow out there will be a LOT of heat and a LOT of tugging, If you get a rollerset it will be tight, they know the difference between relaxed and texlaxed if you say relax it will be bone straight. There is always smoke coming from somewhere and I have never seen heat protectant used. If you have appropriate expectations then I think you like it.

 

[bellebebe]

It really depends on the stylist. If I give you a straight answer, It will be bias. I have had negative experiences but that was only one dominican salon. I can't judge all the other ones based on that.

 

[BostonMaria]

shakenspirit, your answers are going to vary because not all Dominican salons are one size fits all. Just as all African American salons aren't all the same.

If you pick a salon do your homework first and make sure they have good reviews. If you want to get a relaxer I think I would first go for a wash and rollerset that way you will see if the stylist is great or gets two thumbs down. That way you can avoid wasting your money. If the stylist does a sucky wash & rollerset then I wouldn't let her do a relaxer. Oh and another word of advice, don't let them cut your hair if you don't know them.

I am not anti-salon, but I am my favorite Dominican stylist LOL Salons are in it to make $$$ and not keep our hair healthy. My dos centavos

 

[omachine]

i've had very positive experiences at dominican salons...the stylist always listened to me and that was important...i could always count on going in and coming out with relatively the same length of hair and i never got pressured to get a perm...i would get a quick wash and condition, then sit under the blow dryer with huge rollers, blown out and finally flat iron...my stylist would take care of me from the roller set process to the end...my only complaint was that they loved their chicken and corona beer which would slow up the process...the pics are the before and after the blow out...

 

[LatterGlory]

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[Solitude]

I voted absolutely love 'em! They helped me TREMENDOUSLY at the beginning of my HHJ. I still employ the "Dominican method" at home. The salons I've been to were affordable and quick, and the stylists were skilled at handling different hair types. To be fair, my hair is relaxed and it straightens easily, so they never have to use excessive heat on me. Also, I've had my hair rolled and wrapped by a black stylist in Houston just as well, so I think it's the method itself that I really like.

I've never experienced bad service, but the language barrier can be frustrating sometimes.

To sum it up, I think they are great, but I've learned how to roll my own hair at home and that's really the best thing to do because you control the whole process from washing, conditioning, detangling, whether or not to use a rattail comb, and of course, how much heat is used. Plus, you save money in the long-run.

I've attached a pic of how short my hair was when I started getting blowouts, and you can see in my siggy how long it's grown. I give my hair a break by doing braidouts and a lot of buns, especially in the summertime.

 

[BriDa5242]

stay away from them although i did choose on the fence. i mean if its a wash n set. i guess its fine, nothing special. but never again will i let them go near my hair with that blow torch of a blow dryer. leaves my hair dry, limp and prone to breakage. along with a burning scalp. since i started college in NY they were my go to. i just wanted straight hair but it wasnt healthy hair. now my ends are even thinner. over time it takes a toll on your hair.

OMG yes me too, my hair looks healthy but I notice little by little breakage and NO progress in my growth , I'm natural and if anyone has tips i'm all ears .its come to the point where I go once a year but I'm baffled because there are girls that go ONce a week and have their natural hair to their waist!!!....I only get length by leaving it alone

 

[tmhuggiebear]

I refuse to go to Dominican salons for a relaxer. I personally feel like if I am paying you money, and you are using strong chemicals on my head, we need to be able to understand each other and speak the same language. Maybe If I was fluent in spanish I would be preaching another story. However, I wouldn't take the risk.

I've done it before and will never do it again.

 

[BriDa5242]

Well it wasn't until after I voted that I realized you only wanted opinions on getting a relaxer at a Dominican salon...I mean, I just went by the title...and since I'm natural, can't help ya there....sorry. *shrug*

lol!!! I voted and thought the same thing so um , Ignore my comment I guess I dont think I apply

 

[30something]

Its really about finding the good salons, and the good hair dresser in that salon. You really just have to do some scoping around.. its the only way you'll truly find out. You should ask around. There are sooo many in The Bronx....there were about 5 Dominican salons in a 6 blocks radius of were I lived. Just so many to pick from. There no way they can all be bad, even for relaxers. I'm sure you grew up with Salon girls, who frequent Dominican salons every 1-2 weeks and had amazing hair...

I love them, cheap, fast, friendly...

 

[RossBoss]

I have never been to one and at this point, I have no intention to. Every pic that people have posted on this board and others showing how wonderful their hair looks after a visit, is a look that my stylist or myself can achieve just doing a plain ole wet set. I have never seen a pic of someone's hair that looked that good that would differentiate their technique from what American stylists have been doing forever.

 

[Triniwegian]

I hate them for numerous reasons.
But the major reason why I will NEVER enter a Dominican salon again is because a blowout made me lose a good 5" off my hair, it was severly burnt and I have a sneaking suspicion they put a perm in my hair.
I can't say for sure if they slipped some relaxer in the conditioner, but all I know is that my natural virgin hair was totally jacked up afterwards and set me back a bout a year worth of growth.
It's been a year since I went there and i am just now done babying my hair back to health.

The fact that you can feel your scalp burn while they blow your hair out should be a good indication that it's is not good for your hair.

 

[Aggie]

I voted for "I hate them". They use far too heat and pull on the hair far too much. I had major breakage when I got a Dominican Blow-out in December last year and to make matters worse, my scalp was burning from the heat from the blow-dryer and my hair didn't even get straight. I was like "What gives?" My hair was still a frizzy mess and had major static. Yuck! I don't even want to try another one.

 

[Chaosbutterfly]

I voted that I love them, because I'm happy with the salon that I go to now.

But really, it definitely depends on the salon. I've been to Dominican salons where they will straight up destroy your hair with relaxer because they don't know what they are doing. They use cheap relaxer, won't base properly, are too rough with application, leave it on too long, overlap and have the nerve to comb it through the ends with a fine tooth comb, don't neutralize right...pretty much everything that can go wrong does.

Conversely, there are those Dominican salons that do beautiful relaxers. I go to Dominican Essence in Brooklyn, and it's a really long trip, but it's worth it for me, because I never have problems. They base my scalp really well, use high quality relaxers, apply quickly and thoroughly with zero overlapping, and do a great job washing and neutralizing. And they aren't the only Dominican salon that is like that.

I think people are really quick to demonize Dominican stylists, based on others' or their own bad experiences at one salon with one bad stylist. But just like how no one black person can speak for the entire race, no one salon can be representative of the entire Dominican salon experience. You have to get in there and see what it's like for yourself. So look at reviews, and pick a salon that comes highly recommended. Go in on a Saturday (that's when most people are around and it will give you more time to observe) and get something relatively harmless, like a wash and set. While you're there, pay close attention and scope everything out. Look at the cleanliness of the place, the attitudes of the stylists, how they relax hair, how they treat hair, how well they follow instructions, the product selection, and above all, look at the hair of their regular clients. If many of them have damaged hair, then the salon probably sucks. And if possible, try a few salons before making a decision. You may like one, but find that the other is just as good but has better prices. Or has a better selection of relaxer.

My mom makes fun of me because when I was picking a steady salon, I acted like I was picking a college again. But hair is not a game. Shooooo.