Would you tell the owner of a hairshop... hair fell out literally

[CurlyMoo]

Hello Ladies,
So on December 20, 2008 I got my texturizer touched up and all of my hair fell out literally. I have been going over that day in my head as to what was done differently and think I have figure it out. My stylist who is really sweet when she touched up my hair this time wih the chemical she began to massage the chemical in my head and I think that it was did it. I have talked to her about my hair falling out and she gave me a protein treatment and reconstructor and my hair did not improve. I have the hair in baggies for all of the times when I washed my hair and it fell out in clumps every singel time I ran the comb through my hair. My question for you ladies is so you think that I shoudl inform the owners of the shop what happened and bring in my bags of hair? If you were a stylist would you be mad? I do not want to get anyone in trouble or anything like that but I am still really upset and irritated everytime I cowash my hair hair falls out and I do not manipulate it much at all. Please give me your opinions on this because I am really upset. I plan to call my stylist today to inform her that I think my hair fell out becasue when she applied the chemical she massaged the chemical in my head after she applied the chemical. The first two times that i had gotten my texturizer my hair was a-okay. BTW prior to August I had been natural for 7 years. I just feel I need to say something?

I am so sorry you had this horrible experience.

My advice would be NOT to call the salon, because at this point you have a legal matter at hand. Go to a dermatologist to check for scalp damage. Your ability to grow hair may have been hendered because those chemicals were rubbed into your scalp. After that contact a lawyer, hold on to that bag of hair. Keep all correspondence and write everything that happend down. You must act on this quickly. Because there may be a statute of limitations of when to file claims.

Don't be afraid of what will happen or how anyone will feel about what happened over YOUR head. A true stylist would be devastated and determined to find out what happend. If she is as sweet as you think it may have just been poor judgement on her part. But even still the big issue is what longterm damage you may have endured.

Take care and good luck

 

[natural2008]

thank you ladies.

 

[Kimbosheart]

How does something like this hold up in court if she wanted to sue?

.

It depends on her state. In some states this could be an intentional infliction of emotional distress and it would then depend on the statute of limitations for the state for the amount of time she had until she could take the claim to court.

OP, I'm so sorry this has happened to you. I would be crying non-stop. Keep your head up, I just know you are beautiful with hair to your waist or without.

ETA: Please check on the health of your scalp first. And if you would like to say something or if you are seriously thinking about legal action you should write a letter informing her of the damage. Regarding legal action keep in mind that in the end the cost of it all may not be worth it. I can't imagine the emotional distress or the pain, but if your scalp is healthy and not permanently damaged then your hair can and will grow back healthy and strong, the cost of court and the length of a lawsuit may not be worth it for you. Maybe at the very least if you are okay then maybe ask for your money back from the service and the cost of the doctor's visit.

 

[natural2008]

you ladies are making me feel better.

 

[hopeful]

I am so sorry this happened to you. I've had a similiar experience twice, not with the massaging, but with losing tons of hair following a chemical service. It is very upsetting and depressing. Please go to a dermatologist and don't worry about them being black or white, just go and if they can't help you or give you some advice, go to someone else, be persistent. I have had some really good white derms in the past. I have no idea why she would massage your head while it had relaxer in it. She will definitely lie though and say she didn't do that, they always lie when they are in trouble. You and your hair will recover. Hang in there.

 

[bermudabeauty]

Hells Yes! If I am rolling around town with my hair in a ziploc instead of on my head you better believe someone responsible will be notified of this problem! They would have to give me a complimentary wig or something. REAL TALK!

 

[Solitude]

It depends on her state. In some states this could be an intentional infliction of emotional distress and it would then depend on the statute of limitations for the state for the amount of time she had until she could take the claim to court.

I'm just a beginning law student, but the main element to that argument is missing. This doesn't seem to have been intentional.

The conduct also wasn't "extreme and outrageous" as required to prove a case for IIED. It would be really hard to prove. Sometimes, texturizers and relaxers are applied correctly and one's hair still falls out. Was the "massage" actually a massage or was she just using her fingers or a styling tool to smooth the new growth?

Obviously, I can't give anyone real legal advice, but I mean, was it actually the stylist's fault or was this just bad luck? Have you ever had problems with chemical treatments in the past?

 

[MrJohnsonsRib]

I think i might not need to go to any stylists, this is frightening....

 

[natural2008]

girl it was a massage.

 

[Solitude]

girl it was a massage.

Oh.

 

[natural2008]

Hey mizdebbi,
I have not had any problems. My hair was in better shape when I was in high school and ate meat.

 

[Kimbosheart]

I'm just a beginning law student, but the main element to that argument is missing. This doesn't seem to have been intentional.

The conduct also wasn't "extreme and outrageous" as required to prove a case for IIED. It would be really hard to prove. Sometimes, texturizers and relaxers are applied correctly and one's hair still falls out. Was the "massage" actually a massage or was she just using her fingers or a styling tool to smooth the new growth?

Obviously, I can't give anyone real legal advice, but I mean, was it actually the stylist's fault or was this just bad luck? Have you ever had problems with chemical treatments in the past?

I am currently studying for the bar exam. And for Intent you should learn, that it could be a different level of intent required, such as knowingly, or recklessly or extreme and outrageous. Again it depends on the jsdx and it also depends on the standard that the stylist would be held to because she is licensed. There are different standards for professionals in different states. OP could probably very easily prove that most stylists in her area would know not to massage a chemical treatment into the scalp. So while I am not in a position to give legal advice a good attorney would be able to pin this down into an actionable tort.

 

[Quest4healthyhair]

I'm sorry this is happening to you. Yes you should say something to your hairdresser and show her the hair. Maybe they'll offer some deep conditioning treatments on their dime, until the problem rectifies itself. And maybe you should see a doctor in the meantime.

 

[rainbowknots]

I'm getting more and more terrified of stylist. I just went yesterday for my own relaxer and it turned out ok, but they are just so rough with hair! I want so badly to become a DIYer and learn how to perfect my own hair. Life would be so much easier. Sorry this had to happen to you. I would suggest trying to become a DIYer after you get everything else resolved. That'll be the only way to get 100% satisfaction. I have 8 weeks until my next relaxer and I'm about to do a ton of research on how to do my own hair because I am so tired of getting service that I'm not content with and still having to pay so much money. Maybe you could do the same. Sorry for the tangent, but to answer your question I think you should definitely see a dermatologist, and if he says the problem isn't permanent and you could look forward to growing healthy hair, I would try to get my money back and never step foot in that shop again.

 

[Iluvsmuhgrass]

I am so sorry this happened to you. Definitely show her the damage and take pictures. Don't be afraid, she may be nice but she damaged your hair.

 

[BrooklynSouth]

So sorry you are going through this, Natural. You've waited many weeks to bring the problem back to the source. Please, see a dermatologist first as you've been advised already; collect your lost hair and present your MD report, your lost hair to the owner and stylist. Do not allow them to keep your 'evidence.'

 

[topnotch1010]

Girl, forget about that stylists feelings, YOUR HAIR FELL OUT!! Attention must be brought to this issue. And if they didn't make me happy, I would report her to the state board of Cosmotology! She is supposed to know NOT to apply it to your scalp. That is what state board exams are for, so the public knows they are knowledgeable on chemical services and such. I am angry for you! I hope everything goes well for you!

 

[Mizani_Mrs]

I am so sorry this is happening. Yea, I would say its a good chance that one out of the following 3 things could be the cause... either it's the "massaging' technique, or it could have been a bad batch of perm, or didn't you say this is your 3rd relaxer since august? you said you've been natural until august, then you say, this is your 3rd relaxer? If you've had 3 relaxers in 3mos, then this could also be a cause. But either way, i think you should alert her, so at the very least she can call the manufacturer and check the date on her relaxer kits.

 

[Solitude]

I am currently studying for the bar exam. And for Intent you should learn, that it could be a different level of intent required, such as knowingly, or recklessly or extreme and outrageous. Again it depends on the jsdx and it also depends on the standard that the stylist would be held to because she is licensed. There are different standards for professionals in different states. OP could probably very easily prove that most stylists in her area would know not to massage a chemical treatment into the scalp. So while I am not in a position to give legal advice a good attorney would be able to pin this down into an actionable tort.

Didn't mean to turn OP's post into any kind of legal debate. I AM NO EXPERT & I guess neither of us is an attorney, yet! I just don't think that stylists should be under fear of tort actions for simple chemical services that we all know have risks. (Standards of care for professionals sounds more like negligence than IIED, but the stylist's defense could still be assumption of risk.) But, yes, they are licensed professionals and they do need to be held responsible for the harm that they may cause....

I can't imagine the level of stress & horror that this incident has caused. I am really, really sorry that this happened to you, OP, & I hope that everything works out for the best.

 

[Jenn22588]

Why would she give you a protein treatment then a reconstructor the next week? No wonder it didn't get better. Did she give you a moisturizing treatment after all that protein? Unfortunately they don't teach hair care at most beauty schools, only hair styles. My mom has her license and she was never taught how to apply relaxers yet she is licensed to do it. You probably need to find a good derm and a hair care expert. There are probably plenty of women on here that are much more qualified to take care of your hair than the "licensed professional" that made your hair fall out.

 

[topnotch1010]

Why would she give you a protein treatment then a reconstructor the next week? No wonder it didn't get better. Did she give you a moisturizing treatment after all that protein? Unfortunately they don't teach hair care at most beauty schools, only hair styles. My mom has her license and she was never taught how to apply relaxers yet she is licensed to do it. You probably need to find a good derm and a hair care expert. There are probably plenty of women on here that are much more qualified to take care of your hair than the "licensed professional" that made your hair fall out.

WHAT!! That is rediculous!! There is something wrong with that system! At the hair school my friend went to, they learned how to apply relaxers, colors, perms and cuts, among other things. They did not teach a lot about style (which shows in my friend, unfortunately). I would still attempt to report her to the state board and see what they say. It wouldn't hurt and it's free. They could at least give more advice if you wanted to proceed further with the complaint.

 

[Jenn22588]

WHAT!! That is rediculous!! There is something wrong with that system! At the hair school my friend went to, they learned how to apply relaxers, colors, perms and cuts, among other things. They did not teach a lot about style (which shows in my friend, unfortunately). I would still attempt to report her to the state board and see what they say. It wouldn't hurt and it's free. They could at least give more advice if you wanted to proceed further with the complaint.

I agree you should call the state board, every state is different and depending on when and where she got her license she might not have had to apply relaxers to get her license. There are plenty of stylists out there that have never given someone a relaxer and they have licenses. Have you ever walked into a chain salon? Its hard to find a stylist that does relaxers even though its offered.

 

[Shandell]

This happen to me as well, however, I did not report the beautician I just grew my hair out and went natural. But, if I could do it all over again I would shout it from the mountain tops... that is negligence and no one else should have to experience such carelessness at the hands of a so called professional-- it's like malpratice except with hair of course.

 

[mezzogirl]

I had a friend have the same thing happen. She took pictures, saw a dermatologist and approached the owners about paying doctor fees, etc.. They refused, my friend took it to court and won. Her hair fell out eveytime she combed and she was almost bald on the top of her hair and devastated. That was a few years ago and her hair has grown back well. The doctor told her there was no permanent damage to the hair folicles.

 

[natural2008]

Hey Ladies,
I plan to see a dermatologist some time next week and will keep you all posted on what he tells me. I'm scared to go. I hope that my hair follices are not damaged.

 

[hopeful]

Hey Ladies,
I plan to see a dermatologist some time next week and will keep you all posted on what he tells me. I'm scared to go. I hope that my hair follices are not damaged.

Good luck and we look forward to your updates. I bet there's not permanent damage especially since it doesn't sound like you suffered any burning or pain. I think your scalp just had a bad reaction to having the relaxer massaged into it.

 

[natural2008]

I got to the dermatologist next Monday and will tell you ladies what the outcome to keep you up to date.

 

[mahogany_horizons]

I am deeply sorry this has happened to you. I would take in the bags of hair. I also might try to see if I have legal recourse, but I'm not sure you have any in this case.

Here is a hug for you girlie!!

 

[natural2008]

thank you for the hugs, becase I need them. It is sooo upsetting that everytime I wash or comb my hair it falls out.

 

[xcuzememiss]

i wonder whatever happened to you.. if you see this post please let us know what happened after your visit to the Derm.