by Tiffany H.
I got my first perm around 9 years old, and continued the bi/tri-monthly routine pretty regularly until I was 21. From 9 on, if the hair stylists or my cousin who was in cosmetology school didn’t apply it, my mother did, and ONLY because I asked her to. She never encouraged me. It was definitely a learned behavior from hearing other little girls boast about how their hair looked and felt upon rinsing out their “Just For Me” relaxer.
My mother caved into my constant requests when I was 9 and allowed my cousin’s friend to give me my first perm. I remember it vividly. Sitting in this stranger’s kitchen, white cream being slapped onto my thick hair. The minutes passing. The smell so pervasive and offensive. Then the burning. THE BURNING. I didn’t know not to scratch so it was exceptionally painful. I remember wanting to hop out of my seat and run to the sink to dunk my head in the dishwater, and then attack the woman who was doing this to me! Lol. Perm-burn will make a chick (and Al Sharpton) lose it!
However, after enduring the discomfort, being pressed, flat-ironed and curled, and seeing that “swing” in my now stick-straight hair that I’d never seen in all of my 9 year old life, I was hooked, and I stayed hooked for upwards of 13 more years. Hooked through weaves, coloring, and a very well-camoflauged sense of self-loathing because I always felt like a fraud, perpetuating an aesthetic that wasn’t the true Tiffany.
It was a magical night. I blinked away the tears in my eyes. I felt RELIEVED- like I didn’t HAVE to go through that anymore. I was annoyed at burnt edges, scabs, the smell of relaxer (*shudders*), and an increasingly dry and irritated scalp which made it haphazard to wear dark clothing unless I wanted everyone else to know my scalp was rebelling against the chemicals just as my mind was beginning to.
I didn’t big-chop. I thought about it but didn’t do it. Fear stopped that. I let my permed-hair pretty grow out (and break off), and with frequent trims and using the education I’d amassed from websites like yours, books, friends, and prayer, after about 18 months, I had a head full of unprocessed hair that I’ve maintained for almost 5 years! And I’m NEVER, EVER going back.
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BGLH now has a forum! Check it out HERE.
Love your hair and your story — it’s a beautiful, expressive look on you, and I love the way you document your journey to getting here. Kind of like a process of being re-introduced to the hair you had never really known. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Jen!
It’s been such an emotional journey indeed, wrought with opposition and anxiety, but met with the positive reinforcement that comes from others appreciating what I’ve aimed to do. I feel like ME, and I like me now more than ever.
Take care 🙂
Nice article. Does she have a fotki or blog?
Hey Aisha!
I’m definitely in the process of creating a blog to showcase poetry (mine and that of friends), and to encourage self-love and acceptance. Thanks for giving me a push in the right direction 🙂
Til then, I’m on facebook, and if you are, find me!
Tiffany M. Hobbs
@Tiffany-Thanks!
I really loved this story! I could hear the freedom in Tiffany’s voice.
Thank you BGLH
Such liberation is nothing short of a blessing!
I love this story!!
I’m currently in the process of growing out my natural hair and I do not want to cut off the relaxed hair or do “the big chop”. That’s so drastic! But my hair is constantly tangling and developing major knots (and I feel like this may be negatively impacting my new growth). I can’t wash or condition my hair without having to subsequently comb or cut knots and tangles out of my hair. How did you manage your relaxed hair/and natural new growth? Were there a particular set of products you used? Is it better to just chop off the relaxed… Read more »
Hi Anita, I know how frustrating it can be to manage your relaxed/natural hair simultaneously while also trying to retain length. I didn’t big chop. However, because I didn’t know how important moisturizing was to aiding in the transitioning process, my hair broke off over time at the line of demarcation. If you don’t want to cut your hair, it’s IMPERATIVE that you use a good moisturizing agent (shea butter, coconut oil, extra vigin olive oil, or EVOO) to keep both textures from becoming dry and brittle, which of course leads to breakage. If you find that it’s too difficult… Read more »
LOVE YOUR STORY!!!
SUCH AN INSPIRATION!!!
I know this story all to well! Very inspirational!! Congrats!! 🙂
It’s freeing to hear your story. I am a “happy to be nappy” gal, myself!
I can not wait to go natural, I’m tired of the perms and I’m ready for some curly hair.
Nice word play used to express her transition. Beautiful