Keep It Under Wraps

Before 2020, many of us grew up knowing what was meant by “keep

it under wraps”.  We went too far many times and hid abuse and truths, but we have now overcompensated and everything is being put out there for “likes”.  

I use the term “keep it under wraps” here for a specific reason.  If you are in situations where

there is abuse or hidden truths etc.  get out and seek help.  I am referring to increased posts by people highlighting sensitive situations with clients that involve hair. 

Post pandemic, hairstylists were seeing clients that experienced mental issues and came

ashamed for appointments with extremely tangled hair.  I see a rise in the number of requests for detangling hair even today because people learned to wait before fixing pressing issues.  Whether the client leaves with hair or not mostly depends on how long it was not detangled and the ability of the client to handle pain. 

A lot of the reels we see are of clients that have:

• dread/locs that matted because the client suffered a mental issue.
• wigs or extensions worn for too long and require help to remove. 
• Clients with bald spots from glued-in extensions.

I understand that viewers have these issues and may want to know how or if it can be solved.

But,  these videos could be done with more consideration.  In the cases of the matted hair, the stylists zero in on the matted hair and massive buildup.  I know us of the afro-textured community have been led to freely air our dirty laundry but can we learn to tastefully present our stories.

I want us as afro-centric hairstylists to once again learn to choose appropriate ways of getting our messages across and be like the mindful hairstylists and keep it under wraps when showing people’s challenges and mishaps.

By Paula Barker, Silkie Locks Hair Design

Books:  “Talking Hair”, “Filling My Head” & “Dreadlocks – A Hairstylist’s Manifest”.