I need a crash course in natural hair care.
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Anonymous
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Hi,
I'm the recent foster mom of a teenage girl who is african american (I'm caucasian). She has very long braids. She also says that they itch, which she says is normal (?). Her previous environment was condemned for being very dirty so of course I'm worried about lice etc, but she says it's normal for them to itch. The braids are also growing out and need to be redone. She says her dad's girlfriend usually does it and it can take a week (?). What I want is to find someone that can help her with her hair (rebraid, whatever she wants/makes sense). Since she is also a new mother, I would like to encourage her to have a hairstyle that is relatively low maintenance since she will be balancing school and raising an infant. However, I'm in no position to tell her what her hair should or shouldn't be, but would love to find a hair stylist that can help her find a culturally appropriate solution. She says she hates short hair. We are located in Arlington on the orange line - so any resources nearby would be a plus. Also estimated cost of hair care going forward would be helpful so I can include this in the family budget. Thanks! |
Anonymous
| AA here with biracial curly hair. First thing I would do is go to Target or Walgreens and buy Shea Moisture shampoo, conditioner and some sort of leave in moisture cream from that line. Finger detangle and while washing add baking soda and a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water to the scalp. This should help with any build up. Be sure to condition and if you can use a deep conditioner as well. While washing you should detangle then while wet. Add leave in moisturizer while wet. Unfortunately I wear my hair in mostly buns. But you could always air dry ( I wouldn't blow dry, it can make the hair dryer) and straighten with a flat iron for manageability. Just be sure to use a heat protectant. Try curlynicki.com for advice as well. |
Anonymous
| P.s. Very unlikely that she has lice. |
Anonymous
| Oops...sent before finishing. Probably dry scalp. You could always use a little coconut oil for her scalp. |
Anonymous
thank you for your help - does this work with braids? She has long braids and wants to keep them for now. |
Anonymous
| It's rare that AAs get lice. I tend to have itchy (dry) scalp also. You should take her into DC. There is a natural hair shop by Eastern Market metro (name escapes me) and Cornrows and Co comes to mind too. Both shop will wash and braid her hair for her and you can keep a recurring appointment time. This is what I did while pregnant. |
Anonymous
| If she sees dads girlfriend, can she just do them? I would keep the braids if she likes them. |
Anonymous
| Does she have micro braids or box braids? |
Anonymous
I wouldn't get into all this with her at this point. There are braiding salons all over, if you look for them,you can also google hair braiding salon. There are several on Georgia ave between Howard U and Petworth. Braiding is very expensive, running up to 300 bucks a session depending on what kind of hair you use. Long term, it would be cheaper to let her have an acquaintance do it. The itching is more or less normal, but usually means the scalp is dry or the hair needs to be washed. The folks at the salon can recommend products and a washing regime that makes sense for the particular style of braided hair. |
Anonymous
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I have several suggestions:
1. Does she have visits with dad's girlfriend? If so hair can be done at visits. This is extremely common. 2. Are you an arlington county foster parent, or are you with a private agency? If you are with the county, there a couple of the county SW who are quite good at hair/braiding and are very willing to help. Ask your SW for help. 3. There is a salon in FCC, corner of Annandale Rd and Lee Highway that does braiding. I have not actually been there, but it has been recommended by several people. 4. If the braiding is extremely expensive, and you are with the county, I think there is some reimbursement available- there are some funds for preexisting expensive hair. |
Anonymous
Pp here, for some reason I didn't think she had braids as in extension braids. I've worn them before and had a lot if issues with wear on tear around the edges of my face. I would take them out and go the route I mentioned earlier iess she absolutely loves them. |
Anonymous
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Thanks all.
We are with Alexandria social services not arlington despite living in Arlington. We got the scalp moisture under control - that was definitely the reason for the itching. Thank you for the advice! she does not have microbraids - but box braids. No visitation with dad/gf. I will look into the salon in FCC and ask about funds for preexisting expensive hair. |
Anonymous
| I was going to mention the salon in FCC as well -- directly across Annandale from the shopping center with the Dunkin Donuts. It's an historically AA neighborhood and they know what they're doing with braids. etc. |
Anonymous
Does anyone have her number? I've called the shop twice and the barber that answers keeps telling me to call back later - that she's not in, not sure when she will be etc. Thanks for any leads! It would be great to find someone close by. |