New Dominican Shop is Pretty Tempting But......

[Hairsnob]

Alright, I've been searching through some threads about these Dominican blowouts and it sounds like they give some amazing results. I know the heat is bad... but I admit it's tempting. I just wanna get some extra swang to look fly this weekend.

I was never tempted before until I saw a flyer in my door advertising some new Dominican shop not too far from me. I've never even noticed any of those shops around before and never paid attention and didn't even realize it would be actually called "Dominican shop".

Sooooooo.....Would getting it done ONE TIME be so bad? I use the flat-irons once a week anyway........

Who has or would try it?

 

[beans4reezy]

You know, the funny thing is, I used to get these all the time. I LOVE the results...I was still retaining length, but now I see that I could have been retaining more if I lowered the frequency of me getting these blow outs.

I say, give yourself a good protein treatment and go for it. I just wouldn't make it a weekly luxury like I used to.

 

[Hairsnob]

You know, the funny thing is, I used to get these all the time. I LOVE the results...I was still retaining length, but now I see that I could have been retaining more if I lowered the frequency of me getting these blow outs.

I say, give yourself a good protein treatment and go for it. I just wouldn't make it a weekly luxury like I used to.

You're making it sound even more tempting. Good idea on the protein treatment beforehand.

Thanks!

 

[heyfranz]

I did it pre LHCF, but will never do it again. Wash and set, but no blow out. Too much heat. It feels like fire is shooting out of the blow dryer.

 

[Hairsnob]

I did it pre LHCF, but will never do it again. Wash and set, but no blow out. Too much heat. It feels like fire is shooting out of the blow dryer.

EEEK!! It's THAT bad??? :burning:

I wonder if I can take a peek inside a salon first to be newsy to see what they do and get a feel of these dryers. That sounds dreadful!!

 

[heyfranz]

some people can take it, but after a wash and set under the dryer for 45 minutes, then putting all that heat on my scalp? I can't take it. Looks good though, just not for me.

 

[Likeyouneverseenme]

I say DON'T DO IT!!!!
Read this.

But if you absolutely have to and cannot resist the urge.
Bring a friend that makes sure they don't put any chemicals in your hair when you're not looking and bring your own heat protectant.
Some ladies' have hair can take heat well, mine didn't at all.

 

[Nayna]

I say be nosey and see how they do it. NOT all dominican salons are the same. Check out the licenses and all that. Some are legit but sometimes there will be 1 stylist with a license while everyone else works under her license. Since it's new I would wait a bit as well. You want to take a look at what they are doing with the handheld dryers. If they are concentraiting too hard on the roots and going over the same friggin piece of hair over and over and then after the fact attempting to bring a curling iron to someone's head leave and NEVER go back.

 

[Hairsnob]

I say DON'T DO IT!!!!
Read this.

But if you absolutely have to and cannot resist the urge.
Bring a friend that makes sure they don't put any chemicals in your hair when you're not looking and bring your own heat protectant.
Some ladies' have hair can take heat well, mine didn't at all.

Wow! You really had a BAD experience. I cannot believe that there's a possiblity of them sneaking and putting relaxer in the conditioner just to get you straighter??? That's crazy. I read your update and it looks like your breakage stopped but you never got it to revert fully? That's a shame because I can imagine how agonizing that was

I guess if anybody does decide to go to one, they should make sure it's recommended by someone and watch the products used, like you said.

It sounds like it's just not worth the risk. In the meantime I think I'll be searching YouTube for some do it yourself rollersetting videos.

Thanks!

 

[Hairsnob]

I say be nosey and see how they do it. NOT all dominican salons are the same. Check out the licenses and all that. Some are legit but sometimes there will be 1 stylist with a license while everyone else works under her license. Since it's new I would wait a bit as well. You want to take a look at what they are doing with the handheld dryers. If they are concentraiting too hard on the roots and going over the same friggin piece of hair over and over and then after the fact attempting to bring a curling iron to someone's head leave and NEVER go back.

Yeah, you can't blame all the shops for the bad ones. And that's a good point about it being new also. I was originally thinking people meant the heat damage was coming from sitting under the hooded dryer but it's the hand-held one.

If I did decide to do it I would definitely case the joint for a while.

Thanks!

 

[girlyprincess23]

I say you can do it once but do not make a luxury out of it!! if you flat iron weekly anyway you might want to get a wash and set and then flat iron your own roots. Simply because the heat from those dryers is intense. I swear the couple of time I got it done I felt like my scalp was on fire!!! After sitting under those hot dryers with those metal clips in your hair the last thing you're gonna want is them burning the heck outta your scalp with the blow dryer. I mean it does look really nice when done ( I believe the pic in my siggy is one of the last ones I had done) but like a previous poster said don't make it routine. Special occasion for sure!!! bring some heat protectant and have fun but def not weekly....................

A shop put chemicals in someone's hair w/o permission?!?!?!?!?!?!

 

[Ediese]

I think I've visited a Dominican salon twice for the blowout. The first time I thought the heat was intense, but I still went through with it. The second time, my scalp was crying because the heat was too much. I will NEVER get it done again. Since I'm natural and live in a humid place, it didn't last long anyway. It's not worth it to me.

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=361671&highlight=

 

[Hairsnob]

I say you can do it once but do not make a luxury out of it!! if you flat iron weekly anyway you might want to get a wash and set and then flat iron your own roots. Simply because the heat from those dryers is intense. I swear the couple of time I got it done I felt like my scalp was on fire!!! After sitting under those hot dryers with those metal clips in your hair the last thing you're gonna want is them burning the heck outta your scalp with the blow dryer. I mean it does look really nice when done ( I believe the pic in my siggy is one of the last ones I had done) but like a previous poster said don't make it routine. Special occasion for sure!!! bring some heat protectant and have fun but def not weekly....................

A shop put chemicals in someone's hair w/o permission?!?!?!?!?!?!

Your hair in your siggy pic looks beautiful!

But ooooh, thinking of the hot clips alone is making me cringe, let alone the hot dryer afterwards. But yeah, that's what I was thinking, that it couldn't be worse than any flat-iron damage. But then when I read these horror stories it makes you wonder. I'm sure if I had a professional stylist who wasn't pulling any tricks that I'd be fine at least once. I still can't believe they don't automatically use heat protectants?? Maybe I'll save it for a VERY special occasion and not just wanting to look fly for the heck of it.

 

[Hairsnob]

I think I've visited a Dominican salon twice for the blowout. The first time I thought the heat was intense, but I still went through with it. The second time, my scalp was crying because the heat was too much. I will NEVER get it done again. Since I'm natural and live in a humid place, it didn't last long anyway. It's not worth it to me.

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=361671&highlight=

Everybody mentions the scalp burning and I know with my dry scalp I probably would be a mess afterwards.

At least the rollerset without the blowout is still an option for me.

Thanks!

 

[Solitude]

I go to them & I love them. Researching "blowouts" is how I found LHCF.

Anyhoo, get the DC protein treatment they offer & don't be afraid to speak up if they are using the blowdryer too close to your scalp or if they try to triple up on the heat by finishing with a flat-iron. You can also say you want you "roots straightened only" and that will mean they won't run they blowdryer up and down your hair. I get mine "straight-straight" which means I let them get my hair as straight as possible. If I don't have anywhere to go, I leave with a doobie or pincurls.

I retain my length, but I also care for my hair/scalp/ends in between visits. I'm becoming a DIYer, so I haven't been in 4 months.

ETA: @ the burning scalp - I've never had this issue from the blowdryer. Maybe I have a higher heat tolerance or better stylists or something. I go to Judith's and Giovanni's in DC. Once, they had the Pibbs Kwik Dri too high and I simply asked them to turn it down.

Here is a blowout I got in January, simply gorgeous:

 

[nymane]

I used to get blow outs every two weeks when I had healthy hair with no problems (I loved how silky my hair was), but now that I'm on my healthy hair care journey...I wouldn't risk it

 

[Eisani]

I go to them & I love them. Researching "blowouts" is how I found LHCF.

Anyhoo, get the DC protein treatment they offer & don't be afraid to speak up if they are using the blowdryer too close to your scalp or if they try to triple up on the heat by finishing with a flat-iron. You can also say you want you "roots straightened only" and that will mean they won't run they blowdryer up and down your hair. I get mine "straight-straight" which means I let them get my hair as straight as possible. If I don't have anywhere to go, I leave with a doobie or pincurls.

I retain my length, but I also care for my hair/scalp/ends in between visits. I'm becoming a DIYer, so I haven't been in 4 months.

ETA: @ the burning scalp - I've never had this issue from the blowdryer. Maybe I have a higher heat tolerance or better stylists or something. I go to Judith's and Giovanni's in DC. Once, they had the Pibbs Kwik Dri too high and I simply asked them to turn it down.

Here is a blowout I got in January, simply gorgeous:

I love Dominican salons and went fairly often when I was texlaxed for rollersets and roots only blowouts. I retained length very well. I 100% agree w/the post above. As with any salon, there are good and bad ones, it's up to you as the consumer to research and check them out before sitting in the chair and don't be afraid to vocalize. If there's something specific you want or don't want, speak up! What are they going to do, stab you with the comb? There's no way I'd ever be timid or afraid to speak up when I'm spending MY money and they're in MY hair.

OP, I say go check them out. Have a seat, just let them know you got a flier and wanted to see what they're about before getting your hair done. Any reputable place will be cool with that.

 

[brownbean96]

I've been getting Dominican Blowouts on and off for over 10 yrs and I have never, ever experienced any heat damage. I will agree with other posters that I have gone to shops where they use a blow dryer at the highest temperature possible but as a paying customer, I tell them what I want them to do to my hair and I tell them to either turn it down or before they even begin drying I tell them to use the lowest heat setting.

In my opinion Doobie Shops are a low-maintenance way of keeping your hair washed and conditioned. I would not depend on a doobie/dominican shop in caring for my hair and in turn, I go in with all of my own products and I tell them what to do with my hair. When I go to them, it's purely out of convenience. But I make sure they treat my hair the same way that I do at home

 

[Miamori]

I get Dominican blow outs almost every time I go to any salon, and I've done so over the past year. My hair has grown well and it has not been a setback for me. (You can check my fotki or my update thread on the forum to see).

My avi and the pics in my siggy are blowout pics.

I think it has worked for me though because the salon I go to uses good Dominican and Italian products - Nacidit, Salerm, Alter Ego, Lacio Lacio, etc., and I NEVER let them blow out my entire length! EVER!

I am very firm about it, and will firmly reproach the stylist in Spanish (not necessary really, you could just get up) and leave or request another stylist if they try otherwise.

WHen I first started going, I let it slide a couple times, and didn't like how paper thin / not full my hair would be... I jsut like it full and thick, not super straight with it feathered and stuff like that, so I stopped and started speaking up more.

I get my rollerset done, and request that the blow out the roots only. It always looks better that way IMO, and a lot of women ask me what the style is "called" as I live. You hair looks "smooth" vs. just stick/pin straight, and fuller, and it helps your hair retain its thickness.

If you go, that's what I advise. It's also more comfortable on your scalp. Less time.

 

[Neith]

Heck No!! That's way too much heat/manipulation

but they are tempting, aren't they?

 

[lilsparkle825]

I used to get blow outs every two weeks when I had healthy hair with no problems (I loved how silky my hair was), but now that I'm on my healthy hair care journey...I wouldn't risk it

me too. i transitioned largely because i got a DB and loved how pretty and bouncy my hair was, and continued getting them every 2-3 weeks for about 9 months. no damage to my NG.

however, i went back after my BC...no damage, but the heat scared me something awful, so i don't see myself going back unless i can work up the nerve (and take a really good spray heat protectant).

 

[chrisanddonniesmommy]

I'd probably do one if there was one near me. But, I guess I won't.

 

[KiniKakes]

I'm a huge fan of Dominican Salons. Ive been going to the same one for 8 years. The first few years I would get my hair blown out weekly (after the rollerset). It did cause my hair to become dry/brittle/damaged/etc. Then again, I have super fine/thin hair and probably too much for my hair to tolerate. Plus, this was pre-LHCF so I didn't know about heat protectants or anything.

Once I became a bit more educated about hair I realized the damage I was doing. I then started opting for getting my roots blown out ONLY after the roller set. That way, they are ridding me of that annoying dent from the rollers and also straightening out any new growth. But the ends/length of the hair arent getting all that heat.

I realized that i was still getting the same great, silky, bouncy results with JUST the roots blown out, minus the damage. Since my hair is so fine, I actually prefer getting only the roots blown out now, as it allows me to keep much of the fullness/volume. When I get the full blow-out, my hair is flat and stick straight (which is not hot to me).

At this point I get my hair fully blown out every 3 months, and that's so I can take my progress pics with my hair stretched to the fullest length. So not often at all, and my hair is all the better for it.

HTH!

ETA: And btw, I voted liked/loved it at first, but saw damage later

 

[prettybyrd]

I was tempted to visit a DS in December with wonderful results! I am natural, it was the first time I had my hair straight in more than 4 years and I loved it.

The next time I visited a DS (January) I went to a new one that opened nearer my home. The stylist was absolutely amazing! She was gentle and my hair looked better than it did when I used to perm it. My stylist was Rosario, and we chatted in Spanish, whole nine, so I decided that in a few months, I would go again.

When I went again, Rosario was doing the hair of an entire wedding party, so I figured that she wouldn't do my hair, but she told me that the other girl was really good. The other girl was not! I had to stop her from tearing through my hair with the blow dryer and a fine tooth rat tail comb, and everytime I told her that she was using too much heat she would just say, "okay. Sure." <<<<THIS IS WHEN I SHOULD HAVE LEFT!

After a few days, I began to notice a lot of hair in my comb and on the bathroom floor. When I washed my hair it just smelled like burned hair and I could not believe the amount of hair I was losing! Three-four combs full, and the hair kept coming! This incident is why I also came to LHCF looking for heat damage recovery advice b/c I did not want to cut it.

I've been growing it out well, and I do not have a problem with anymore breaking, but one side is significantly longer than the other. I can bun it with ease, but it's going to be a while before I get back to where I was.

This incident was my fault - I should not have allowed her to do my hair the way that she did -I should have left. I don't want to say never go to a DS, because you may not have the same experience. But I will say to be cautious about how they do your hair. Case them out if you need to, and ask the women in the salon about their hair. One thing I noticed is that a few of the women who got styled had long hair, but it was thin on the ends and just hanging. They were please to have their length, but it looked a mess. Watch for that. I wish I had been more alert!



There's a better pic in my fotki, I couldn't change it....

 

[Lovestyr]

I havent had one done yet but, I do have plans to do my first blow out in October. There are quite a few dominican salons in my city...I am going to get my hair Dc and pressed. I am sure it will look good. I will be sure to post pics when I get it done.

 

[Stepiphanie]

I say go for it! Make sure you're very observant to what they are doing even to other clients heads, and see if their practices are healthy and suitable to your preferences. If you want you can even bring your own products. I've had both good and bad Dom. experiences. Blowouts are fine if you just do it once in a while.

 

[Leeda.the.Paladin]

Back in my transitioning days, I probably would've done this in a heart beat considering I used to burn the crap out of my own hair all the time anyway. But now I am too scared to get that done. I'm really afraid to let anyone do my hair so maybe it's just that.

 

[girlyprincess23]

Your hair in your siggy pic looks beautiful!

But ooooh, thinking of the hot clips alone is making me cringe, let alone the hot dryer afterwards. But yeah, that's what I was thinking, that it couldn't be worse than any flat-iron damage. But then when I read these horror stories it makes you wonder. I'm sure if I had a professional stylist who wasn't pulling any tricks that I'd be fine at least once. I still can't believe they don't automatically use heat protectants?? Maybe I'll save it for a VERY special occasion and not just wanting to look fly for the heck of it.

Thank You...lol. This photo is a little reminder to me never to wash hair and then try to take a weave out!! Tangle City!! I can see the bald spot from where I had to pull my hair out to get the weave out!! LOL That's why that scalp is showing like that!

I mean I personally would not let them blow dry my roots. This is why.

Its hot
It hurts
You can flat iron yourself
It hurts
You can put on heat protectant (some shops take it personally if you ask them to apply YOUR stuff to YOUR hair
and...
It hurts.

My personal choice is to have them wash and set it (those are awesome) and them have them wrap it and flat iron my own roots when I get home if necessary.

 

[jerseygurl]

Yes the Dominican Salons. They do good hair but last March was last time going to them. First of the heat was so high my scalp was on fire and when I went for a relaxer, they would pull the relaxer from the root to the tips of hair. I'm still battling the split ends and the over processed ends from last year. If I do decide to go back I'm just gonna get a good ole roller wrap.

Not all DS are the same though. Good luck OP

 

[cocoaluv]

I used to go every week but havent been in months since I am transitioning. I would get my hair blown out everytime and they would leave in the relaxer for the longest time and towards the end I would get really bad perm burn.


I got a lot of growth from them however I would strongly suggest AGAINST blowouts on a weekly basis. I thought I could get away with it since my hair is so darn thick but I got split ends and dry hair so I gave that up. I would only suggest getting a doobie ( where they rollerset and then pin up your hair) thats the best way to really retain length imo.