5 Salon Problems I Have Encountered That Should Change Immediately

I’m not sure if this is the case with most naturals, but I only go to the hair salon occasionally. I tend to take care of my hair myself any other time, unless I need a trim or want a good blowout.

I absolutely adore my hair stylist and wish I could take her with me as I move from state to state. Thankfully, she gets her clients in and out within an hour or so and her work is painless. Not to mention that she SLAYS a blowout.

Not all women are as fortunate, however. I have heard horror stories of women whose hair stylists end up doing more damage to their hair than good. If you’ve run across any of these problems, it may be time to go to a natural hair salon.

You are charged more because your hair is natural

Many hairstylists are charging their natural clients additional money because of the amount of hair they have. I know this is the case in some Dominican salons.

My philosophy is, the price should be the same regardless of the hair type. You are paying for the service. It’s not a person’s fault the way their hair grows out their head.

The excuse shouldn’t be that you are charged more because it takes them longer to do your hair. Reason being: a woman with long, relaxed hair might take as long as a woman with short, natural hair.

Ladies, there are plenty of places that won’t discriminate on hair type. You should be treated fairly, especially if you don’t go to the salon on a regular. It’s supposed to be a gift to yourself, not an annoyance.

You get heat damage after one blow-out

One of my close friends went to a Dominican salon to get her hair done for graduation. She hadn’t straightened her hair in months and was treating herself for the special occasion.

The next time she washed her hair after that, she had heat damage and her hair would no longer curl in some areas. This shouldn’t have been the case.

While there are no guarantees we should be able to wear our hair straight one day and then in its natural state the next. The stylists should know their clients’ individual hair needs being very cautious when using heat and protecting the hair at all costs.

Your hair experience is more painful than soothing

I don’t know about you, but when I think of “pampering,” I think of peace and relaxation. Beauty doesn’t always have to hurt. I shouldn’t get anxiety when I think about going to a certain type of hair salon.

Many times, small hair salons are so booked that the stylists are more worried about getting their clients in and out of the door as quickly as possible than actually being gentle with their clients’ hair and taking their time. My whole body shouldn’t feel the heat of the blowdryer. Just saying.

Also, a lot of times, a different person is shampooing your hair than your trusted stylist, and that can be torture if you fall in the wrong hands.

I’ve had some weird shampooing experiences in my time. Brushing my hair while it was under the water. Really?!

Not having ethnic hair products

It’s rare that an upscale salon will have products for natural hair. Paul Mitchell is great and all, but it might not have the ingredients that your hair needs. Now, granted, some salons might allow you to bring in your own shampoos and conditioners. That hasn’t been my experience.

Ever since I started co-washing, I always get a little nervous when I realize that my hair will be shampooed AND conditioned at the salon.

The women would probably look at me crazy if I told them I only wanted “clarifying conditioner.”  It would also be nice to be able to purchase the products that the salon has for sale. This usually isn’t the case because they don’t carry anything close to what our hair is used to.

Not being able to do natural styles

I love doing my hair. I do. But sometimes it would be nice to go to a salon where they could do my perm rod or flexi rod* sets for me. My stylist doesn’t do natural styles and I have too much loyalty to her to try any place else.

With that said my salon days are usually reserved for special occasions because I’m only going there to get my hair flat ironed.

Editors note

We have to mention that all is not lost for the salon industry, we are seeing more diversity in hair care these days as women make the switch to natural hair and they try to meet demand.

We would love to hear your hair salon experiences. Do any of you get your hair done at a salon specifically catered toward natural hair? Comment below!