Long Term Transitioners - salon experiences

[Bublin]

I'm almost 11 months into my transition.

During this time i know how to handle my hair so i'm not ripping clumps out.
I have invested in the right tools and products that are really helping but i'm still finding the two textures really hard to detangle (well the demarcation line and the relaxed ends are the problem, my roots are really soft) I'm spending a long tme in the bathroom on detangling alone.

I really want to go to a salon. Not been to one since my last relaxer.

I'm tired of dealing with my hair. I just want someone else to wash, detangle and style it but i'm afraid they'll just abuse my hair - like use the wrong styling tools and the wrong products.

Should i be worried and stick to home styling?

Anyone have good or bad experiences?

 

[melissa-bee]

I'm 10 months post and i wouldn't dare go to a salon.

 

[Bublin]

exactly my thoughts
I just want someone else to handle this for a change.

 

[melissa-bee]

Well, actually i could be being a little biased as i've only been to a salon twice in my life.
What do you want them to do?

 

[DDTexlaxed]

girl, a Dominican salon can get you strait, lickity split!

 

[Grand Prix]

I've been to a salon twice during my transition, I thought it was the place to be for a good trim..

I guess it was alright. I made sure my hair was very very very well detangled the second time I went, because at the first salon, the stylist pulled out her fine toothed comb (object to this if your stylist does this, it's your hair and your money) and although she tried to be gentle with it, she took too many pauses to remove wads of hair from her comb.. She did like the idea of me going natural, and said she had plenty of clients with natural WSL hair who came and got their hair pressed every 2 weeks.

And of course there's the erplexed looks you get from the stylists, so maybe you could find some one who enjoys (or at least knows) working with natural hair. Nothing is as annoying as stylists rolling their eyes at you for not wanting to get your naps relaxed and then using their super hot pressing comb on your hard worked for ng to get it under control.
The stylists at the salon were actually gathered around pulling faces at my blown out 15 month post BSB hair that I would've been proud of if I were at home doing it myself.
Of course the stylist who pressed my hair was applauded afterward for getting my hair all silky smooth, like it was some kind of mission impossible.

After this salon visit I got quite a bit of heat damage. I wanted to cut it off during my BC, but I wouldn't be able to pull it back into a ponytail if I did.

Okay, maybe it wasn't all alright , but I do believe there are some good stylists out there that you can go to who understand and support transitioning hair.

 

[BostonMaria]

I went twice to the salon during my transition. You will need to find a stylist that understands your needs and is on board with you. The lady I went to knew I was growing out my natural hair and wasn't trying to make me relax my hair. She got my hair silky smooth. BTW I brought my own DC, leave in, wide tooth comb, and heat protectant. I do NOT allow them to comb with a rattail comb. They get annoyed but it's MY hair and MY money.

 

[cch24]

I got my hair straightened 3 times during my transition and all 3 times were fabulous. I went to a Regis Salon in the mall, and had a Hispanic hairdresser. When I called to make an appointment I explained that I was growing out my perm and they assured me it wouldn't be a problem. She used the entire Mizani Thermasmooth System on my hair, combed me out under the sink, and proceeded to blow dry and flat iron my hair. I suffered no heat damage from any of those occasions and she never mentioned a trim. I was very happy with my experience there, and would consider going back now that I am fully natural.