Forced big chop

by Tiera
(Iowa)

I have had relaxers since I can remember and never had to deal with my natural texture. Last spring, I dyed my hair blonde.

I've dyed my hair tons of colors before and never had an issue, but I had never bleached it before. Since I've been doing my relaxers since middle school, (about 10 years now) I didn't bother to read the instructions; BIG MISTAKE!

I didn't notice the portion about not relaxing bleached hair.

My hair began falling out in chunks as soon as I started washing out the relaxer. I was in shock. It was the most traumatic day of my life. By the end of it, I had lost 50% of my hair.

I had large chunks missing from the back and sides. I was able to put it into buns and style it with headbands until I figured out what to do. The hair I did have left was completely fried.

I began researching ways to grow hair back fast on the Internet and came across a few natural blogs. Before then I had never heard of it. I kept my hair in protective styles using wigs and then extensions when my hair grew some new growth. I was too embarrassed to go to a salon or to seek any professional help.

I go to college in a small town and knew word would spread quickly if anyone found out. My hair grew pretty quickly so when I had three inches of new growth I finally did a BC. I felt so awkward with my short hair that I still use weaves until I get used to it.

As a result of my tragic incident, I have decided to never use chemicals on my hair again. I have really grown to admire the girls of the natural world and look forward to when I am comfortable with my hair length again. I think this forced big chop is what fate had in store for me. In the last few months I have started to develop more self confidence thanks to blogs like this one.