Bleaches and dyeing and layers, oh my!

Dear Jennifer and Johannah,Would you believe..... the same topic has been rattling around in my head for awhile, too. I agree with you that it is a very sensitive subject. That said...IMHO, the manufacturers and providers of these products and services do not serve the purposes of "beauty" first and foremost, however "beauty" may be defined. Rather, their first interests are economic, which are improved the more "demand" exists for these products and services.While I can't blame the folks for wanting to make a living, the real question is "who is serving who?"I intend for the previous paragraphs to be seen as unbiased and impartial, but I can just hear the cries of indignity from the providers just mentioned. They might not wish that their full range of products and services be perceived as not being necessary -- or desirable.How dare *I* suggest that people not look to stylists for solutions in color and layered cuts!It seems to me that there have been quite a large number of women posting on this board who have lamented long past, and recent, decisions to significantly color and cut their hair. Yet while a few have wondered what to do with their "in-between length" hair, I have not heard one person lament having grown their hair long. From this, might one come to the conclusion that there is considerably more frustration in dealing with colored or layered hair than with uncolored and one-length -- and long -- hair?It's difficult for me to understand what drives some to repeat these mistakes. And it seems that few if any learn from others mistakes. Does it just take repeating the same mistake many times before the lesson is learned? Is the "real" solution (avoidance of coloring and layered cuts) hidden behind a persuasive stylist's outstretched, palm-up hand?I, too, feel badly for those who regret having colored or layered their hair. I know what it's like to grow out layers. And I don't wish to sound harsh or mean. That is not my intent. On the contrary, my heart goes out to those who are suffering from bad color jobs or bad haircuts.The number one thing that limits most people from from realizing their hair's aesthetic potential is this: externally applied damage. This can take many forms: permanent waving, excessive coloring, and improper care (rough, abusive, etc). Many of the hair care tips which aid in the achievement of healthy hair are generously shared on the Hair Boutique. No matter what length a person wants their hair to be, the most expedient way to get it is to treat it with care and to eliminate -- as much as possible -- the sources of damage.Dave

Ok, I hope this doesn't come out the wrong way... but I'm going to try to articulate something that's been brewing around in my mind for a bit. I hope I don't ramble too much.As the prestige of this site grows (congrats Karen and Jeff!) I see a lot more threads popping up screaming for "Help!" with hair mistakes. Most of these messages seem to have one of two root problems: coloring or layering the hair. And I always feel awful for the people involved, because I've had similar problems with my hair in the past, but I'm afraid to speak my mind for fear of being harsh on someone in a delicate emotional position. But I feel like I really need to speak up about this... When I was young I had chronically unmanageable hair... it was an absolute mess. I could never grow it past shoulder length and it has always been a hassle to style. Now my hair is strong, healthy and soft and growing longer every day... why? Because I realized that I could trace my hair issues to 2 causes: chemical damage (mostly coloring) and layered haircuts.Now I never worry about people using a bit of color to cover grey, or mild high-lights... but I get really concerned about the folks who post to this board with a bad dye job wondering what to do and get a slew of recommendations to find a professional colorist. I have colored my hair for most of my life, starting with sun-in at about 9 or 10 and getting into crazy colors and double process dye-jobs at about 14, and I've had my share of horrible colors. Believe me when I tell you that the worst thing that you can do to freshly dyed hair is to head into a salon and have it re-dyed. After such an experience my hair has NEVER returned to a healthy condition until the double-processed hair has been cut off, and I have extremely strong hair. And many of my friends who dye their hair have similar experiences. However, I always hold my tongue when I see postings like that because I know how painful it can be to look in the mirror and see a bad color morning after morning... I don't know if there is any way to say to a person "The best thing to do is to live with it for a while" without causing them greater pain. It's very difficult. But I truly believe that the best way to healthy hair is to go easy on the dyes and to wait out a bad color like you wait out a bad cut... at least 2-3 months before re-dying it.Now layers are definately WAY less damaging to the health of hair as a whole, and they do really look cute on some people. But it seems these days stylists are convincing everybody, regardless of hair type or the time they're willing to spend on styling, to get a layered cut. Resist my sisters! ;-) Seriously, I've always found layers to be extremely difficult to style for my hair. And I see a lot of people who post to this board who are having difficulties with layered cuts. The last time I let someone cut layers into my hair I ended up crying most of the next day and going back and getting it cut into a bob to get rid of the mess it had become. It was horrible! And it was NOT easy to care for like the stylist had promised. Maybe it's not the layers... it's that no stylist knows what works for your hair as well as you do. It can be hard to resist a stylists suggestions for your hair, but if you truly believe that a cut won't work on you then let her know... and if she doesn't follow your wishes find someone else.I hope this comes out sounding OK... I don't mean to be harsh. I dunno, I know a lot of people around here are big supporters of longer hair... but I just like to see healthy hair, regardless of length and women who feel good about their hair and don't have to struggle with it.-jennifer j