Hair breakage in updos? (Sort of long)

[Alanna]

Hello! I need some advice. http://www.network54.com/images/happy.gif

Right now I am working at a job that is very strenuous and it is causing repetitive motion injury to my arms and hands. I have been given an opportunity to work in a bakery, but the thing that makes me balk is the hair nets.

My hair right now is very thick, very fine, and past my waist.

As I discovered in a previous food preparation job, whenever I have to put my hair up in a bun so it can fit in the hair net (even with a smooth hair stick) my hair tends to snap and break right where it enters the bun. I held that job (at a school) for a month, and I had a horrible hair 'halo' of broken hair at the end of it, and I DON'T want to go through that again - but I can't stay at my current job.

SO, long explanation aside, is there any hope for me? Is there such a thing as a long-hair-hair-net that will contain my long braid if it's just coiled up and stuffed in the net? Is there any gentle, simple hair style or braid that will get it all up with no breakage?

I have been considering this problem for a very long time, and I still don't know what to do, so Thanks so much for any advice!!

[morecowbell]

I'm sorry to hear about the breakage of past :hugs:
You might try putting your hair in a snood (http://ericleetroyer.com/wp-content/uploads/snoodjpg.jpeg) and putting the net over that. I have a few of these, and they work very well to keep my hair contained in a safe, un-damaging way.
HTH :)

ETA: You can get these in a TON of colors at most beauty supply stores (especially ones centered on African American hair care)

[squiggyflop]

i second the idea of snoods.. you can even color coordinate based on the uniform they make you wear (or your own outfit)
snoods.com (http://www.snoods.com/)

i made my own velvet snoods one day.. i think i have the instructions in the sewing section of my homepage..

but i only did it because i cant crochet

[tofuowl]

Maybe secure the braid into a bun with a scrunchie, and then fit it into the hair net? It would probably look awfully lumpy, but if you're not concerned with it being super elegant under the hair net, I bet a scrunchie would be kinder to your braids than a hairstick (since it doesn't have to pierce though).

[Kristin]

Maybe you could try smoother sticks? Timberstone Turnings (on etsy) and Ketylo both my extremely smooth sticks. You honestly could get one or two Ketylos and wear them every day. Or maybe you could use another type of pin to secure your hair...like bent knitting needles. I haven't yet made a pair, but they look quite smooth as well.

[bugeyedmonster2]

I would second the advice about a snood. A snood has got to be food safe right? Your hair would definitely be out of the way (and out of sight if you get a solid snood.)

I would advise not making the bun very tight. I will get hair breakage if I make the bun too tight or twist my hair too much.

Oh, you can find some snoods online at Plain and Simple
http://www.prayercoverings.com/catalog.php?category=4

Or visit Lady McSnood (those she's a bit more expensive.)
http://www.snoods.com/snood.html

Also second the visiting shops with that usually cater towards Afro-merican because these snoods (and sleeping bonnets) are a bit bigger than the ones you sometimes find elsewhere. Or least I've found the sleeping caps to be bigger. The one from CVS/Walgreens was a bit too small.

[eri401]

I also wonder if you can ask to keep your hair braided and then cover it with a scarf. Hair nets are mostly meant
1. to keep you from touching your hair and transferring germs onto food.
2. to keep stray hairs from falling into food
3. to maintain a professional "uniform" of sorts that looks hygienic

Perhaps you can explain that the hairnet is too small for your hair and ask if you can get away with a braid+ hair-scarf on top.