Heaven's Mind Book Series: WHY WOMEN CUT THEIR HAIR...

WHY WOMEN CUT THEIR HAIR…

I recently cut all my hair off following the removal of extension braids. The braided style was very complementing and I enjoyed creating new and sexy looks with them. However, upon removing them I discovered a tremendous amount of hair and scalp damage. Although I frequently moisturized my hair and applied coconut oil to my scalp, the regimen did not prevent irreparable damage. Additionally, I already suffer from Alopecia Areata in the top of my crown.

According to an article in Medical News Today, “Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that often results in unpredictable hair loss. Here are some key points about alopecia areata. More detail and supporting information are in the main article.

One in five people with alopecia areata also has a family member who has experienced the condition.
Alopecia areata often develops suddenly, over the course of just a few days.
There is little scientific evidence that alopecia areata is caused by stress.
People with alopecia areata who have only a few patches of hair loss often experience a spontaneous, full recovery, without the need for treatment.
There is no cure for "alopecia areata”.

Learn more here:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/70956.php

While I did receive steroid injections (upon receiving a biopsy diagnosis in 2007), a small dime-sized area remained sparsely covered with strands of hair which did not grow at the same rate as the surrounding areas. I did not pursue any additional treatments (due to a hypersensitivity to most prescription medicines); opting instead to wear wigs, hats, headwraps or braids to maintain a certain level of “Hair-Confidence” over the last several years.

Unfortunately, I was also diagnosed with Uterine Fibroids in the summer of 2015; another common issue among Black-American Women which has also been directly correlated with hair loss. Although I underwent a partial hysterectomy in December 2015, the hair loss did not resolve.

Katie Mitchell of Bustle writes about a recent study linking Uterine Fibroids to a specific type of hair loss; “Uterine fibroids — small, usually benign, uterine tumors that can cause heavy periods — disproportionately affect Black women, but the reason why is still unclear. A new study has found a potential link between uterine fibroids and a kind of hair loss in Black women.

The hair loss is called central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA), and it's a type of permanent hair loss that, like fibroids, affects Black women at higher rates than any other group”.

Some women cut their hair as a sign of growth, expansion, and transformation. While other women do so as a symbol of strength, control, and power. And, finally many women (especially within the Black Community) perceive they have no other option than to cut their precious thinning, damaged, over-processed, chemically treated or negatively affected hair. It is one of the most challenging aspects of life for a woman considering we are told our entire life the following:

Your hair is your crowning glory.

Your hair is your vitality.

Your hair is your freedom.

Your hair is reflective of your inner & outer beauty;

and finally, (the condition of)

Your hair correlates with the quality of your health.

As a result of hearing and reading about other women suffering from similar situations, as well as, our Sista’s who sustained hair loss due to chemotherapy and radiation; I wanted to write about the positive aspects of naturally short hair. And, there is a myriad of reasons and benefits for the “Big Chop”; as it has been so fondly labeled over the last few decades!

I’ll start with my reasons.

To begin, this is not the first time I cut my hair. The first time I did so, was following a long battle to maintain my long thick permed mane of hair while operating in the role of Minister, Health Care Professional and Strong Black Women. All those euphemisms (about hair) which were force-fed to me during my youth and young adult years plagued my entire subconscious mind. The decision to cut my ever-thinning hair was painstakingly heartbreaking. You see, the many societal roles I had obtained required me to “LOOK THE PART”; and thus, generated an extreme amount of anxiety within me. Nonetheless, it had to be done.

So, in February 2008, I did it. I went to my brother’s barbershop and let him give me the ultimate Johnny Toles Custom Bald Fade. He said to me; “Sis, if you did not have the right shaped head for a bald-fade, I would not cut your hair; but you do so you can pull it off”!

I had to agree with him upon looking at myself in the mirror and admitted to myself that “I wear it well!”

Two years later, I was going through a divorce and began wearing wigs due to low self-esteem. Yes, my husband was cheating on me with a younger woman (need I say more)?

Eventually, the divorce became final and I started dating again. My new Beau suggested I give up the wigs and my natural hair to return to a permed short style. And, as you may have guessed, I did.

A year later, I had hair sewn in for a special Steppin’ Event in Atlanta (I wanted to look cute for my new Man). Consequently, upon the return trip home, I began removing the hair as fast as I could, because my scalp was on fire (remember, I have a hypersensitivity to many things).

Again, I returned to my brother, to chop off my chemically treated hair and rocked the bald fade once more. This time I was really “THE SHIT”; because it was spring-time and I had just purchased a brand-new Black-on-Black droptop! Of course, I was being complimented every time I cruised up and down 38^th Street from the West-Side to the East-Side! HOLLA!!!

Then, it seems I got EXTRAORDINARILY CUTE and decided to go blonde! Can you say “MISTAKE”!

By 2014, I was in my brother’s chair again getting another big chop. That’s number Three! Now, they say the 3^rd time is supposed to be “A CHARM”.

Sanaa Lathan in Nappily Ever After

Well, in 2018, I clearly had not learned my lesson about extensions, chemicals or wigs. So, I stood in the mirror right after watching Nappily Ever After, starring Sanaa Lathan; and performed my own big chop. It was a rough cut, to say the least; I had to use scissors, razors, a comb, and a hand mirror. I continued to wear my wigs, hats and head wraps…

Until it grew out enough to compliment my facial features. Now, mind you I still have the thinning section on top which has increased in size. Ironically, I deduced that since I had been able to wear mascara on my lashes without any untoward effects, I purchased a tube of mascara specifically for my thinning hair (the lash thickening kind). Yes, I use mascara in my hair because Iam not yet ready to publicly display my thinning nearly balding scalp. Yet, it’s a start. :-(

However, I have embraced the fact that Iam a product of a consumer-driven, artificially beauty focused and judgmental society. Consequently, because of my willingness to embrace a healthier and natural lifestyle (diet/exercise/play/relaxation), Iam confident my hair will return to its naturally healthy state of existence in time.

You know, I learned years ago that people who smoke cigarettes suffer extreme lung damage; but, if they stop smoking for the same number of years they smoked, the damage is essentially reversible.

Well, Iam 51 years-old, and I have been purposefully damaging my hair internally and externally for at least 35 years off and on. So, maybe by the time I reach 85, my hair will be healthy again (or gone); either way, I choose to embrace my freedom to express authentically.

So, again the reasons and benefits of going natural and short?

1. Healthier Hair

2. Authenticity

3. Freedom of Expression

4. Less-expensive Maintenance

5. People will focus more on your brains (internal) than on your looks (external)

Now, of course, there are many more reasons and benefits for going short & natural; but clearly after listing the top 5, who needs another reason?

Wholeness, Balance, Love & Vibrations

CeleXy

Please plan to meet me & my short natural hair this Saturday (3/16 @ 1pm) for Heaven's Mind & Your Life ReImagined Book Series "Meet the Author" and book signing event.

Jenkins' Career Corner

1761 N. Sherman Dr./Ste. I

Indianapolis, IN 46218