Thick Hair From Hell

I don`t blame you about being cautious. I think this layer business is mostly a trend. The stylist that applied a perm to my hair was suggesting layers and I said why would I ever consider such a thing when I find most peope walking around here tend to look like a lawn mover past in their hair. Then she said that it gives more movement especially for thick hair. Well Tinae I also have very thick hair and I wouldn`t think twice of saying no because most people that I have come across that had layers are trying to grow them out. I find that when we actually look at someone`s layer hair it is bulky in some areas and is very thin in others and I don`t find it appealing.
Then again maybe its making sure having the right stylist for the job.
Also Tinae I know where you are coming from with this thick hair business and I will remind you of something. Many people would kill to have thick hair like us. Sure it is hot in the summer, frustrating to find good hair jewelry that won`t break on us or elastics in our hairties that doesn`t last one month at time and meanwhile we paid good money for it but in all you and I an others are blessed.
Plus have you ever seen that actress that plays Cleo on Days of our lives? She has thick hair and all one lenght and they often comment on the show how beautiful it is and I am sure you would agree when you see her.
Anyways just my personal opinions.

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Tinae originally wrote:
I want soft supple hair. I want it to flow. I have been reading about getting it thinned but that scares me and I might consider layers around the face but no where else.

What other options do I have.

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Hi,

This thick hair thing has really been bothering me because I want to help.

So I called up Ms. Barbara Lhotan who consults with our site. She told me that the best success she has with thick hair is threefold.

1. She straightens it with a NON-THIO straightening formula. She likes Paul Mitchell`s Straightening formula. She said it is light and will not damage hair that is in good to OK condition. The key is that the straightening will help the hair lay much flatter (less bulk) and allow it to be soft and flow.

2. She thins but pointed out that most stylists do not thin correctly so that when the hair grows back it pushed up against the existing hair and then makes everything seem worse than before you had it thinned. She said the key is to have the hair thinned with a special scissors AND make sure that the hair is thinned at a 45 degree angle and NOT a 90 degree angle which most stylists select. She said that is the problem. It has to be 45 degrees.

She also said to only spot thin and not do the entire head. This way, you get additional flow and movement without the regrowth problem.

3. Finally, she said to use moisturizing shampoo and conditioners to help the hair lay even flatter. The softer the hair, the better it is to handle when thick.

Ideally Barbara would chemically straighten (non Thio and light composition), she would spot thin only where necessary for additional movement and only with a 45 degree angle and she would recommend moisturizing shampoos and conditioners for movement and flow.

I have to say that Barbara is a genius with hair. If you want to see for yourself go to the Barbara Lhotan Gallery or the HairBoutique.com Spring 2001 Gallery. Barbara did the hair and she can work absolute miracles with hair. Any type of hair too. Thick, thin, super long, super short, wavy, curly. You name it, she has a great rememdy.

Hope that helps.

Best wishes,
Karen