Bad Salon Experience. Help regrowing out hair.

[alxardnax]

Hello everyone,

This is the first time I have posted but I read on here all the time. I know there are so many amazing hair gurus and I had a traumatic experience at the salon today. My hair this morning was WL . I kept telling the hair stylist I want 2 inches cut off max. She then kept trying to pressure me to cut it shorter and I kindly refused. Then she began to harrass me about donating to locks of love and I thanked her but said no, I like the length. I could tell she was angry and irritated because I refused.

By the time I walked out of the salon, my hair was above bsl. I could not stop crying hysterically all day. I swear she did it out of spite.

Point being, I could use any and all advice at growing my hair out again. I have almost ALWAYS had long hair my whole life so I never had to go through the growing out phase. The bright side is I have pretty healthy hair but I am afraid I will not being to grow it out healthy again.

If you could recommend foods, products, mask or washing methods, etc you think are best for growing out hair I would REALLY appreciate it!

Thank you.

[Dina L.]

Uhhh, I'm very sorry for your experience! But there's no reason why you wouldn't grow out your hair healthy! I'm sure the other LHC-ers will tell you what special supplements to take, I only can suggest you healthy food and vitamins.
Some of us also swear on castor oil to make hair grow faster: http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=18265
And for hair cutting check Feye's method: http://community.livejournal.com/feyeselftrim, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9Erf49Eyxc

[Sweetie]

oh my goodness they're quite all the same!!! Can't believe it - very sorry for the bad experience and the shock you got! Unfortunately I don't know what to suggest to increase the hair growth - I noticed they appreciate daily scalp massage with jojoba oil and infusion of stinging nettle (which I hope is the right English translation for the Italian "infuso di ortica")

good luck for your hair growth!!

[Laurenji]

Don't worry! You should totally be able to grow it out healthy again. Cutting it shouldn't affect your ability to grow it out healthy. In fact, some members here have shaved their heads, and now their hair puts mine to shame. If your hair was healthy before, as long as you keep doing what you were doing, it should be fine. :)

In the meantime, you can look around here for advice on how to cut your hair yourself if you don't want to go back to a stylist, and advice on methods to potentially make your hair grow faster. I know it seems really drastic now, but it will grow back, I promise.

[selderon]

Welcome, alxardnax. I'm sorry about your bad day!

The first thing you should do is call the salon and speak with the manager. Explain what happened and politely ask what they can do for you. Any manager with half a functioning brain will give you your money back or a free service. It is important that they know what happened to you. That stylist needs to be corrected before she sinks the salon.

[ladylovecraft]

Oh, hun, I'm sorry that happened to you... I've had one too many stylists hack my hair off (to pixie length!) and I'm almost at BSL again, so I know you can grow your hair back healthy!

There are a lot of different speculated methods to increase growth rate on here, monistat applied to the scalp, castor oil, supplements such as biotin (take up to 10,000mcg a day) and msm. Not everything works for everyone so you'll just have to experiment and see what works for you.

I'd definitely recommend cutting it yourself in the future, I'm using Loepsie's method for big cuts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0KyVUSrFXc And she has an explanation of S&Ding on her channel as well. (Just click below the video on her screen name) I like her videos as she explains a LOT of LHC concepts on her channel for those of us whose vision goes a little funny after reading off a screen for hours, hehe

[christine1989]

I'm so sorry that you had to go through that! :( Some stylists can be so weird about hair. Its like they take it personally if you don't do exactly what they say. I don't understand why- they will get paid either way. You're in the right place now though! :) It sounds like your hair is still long enough for self trimming so you wont have to go through another suprise hair chop again. There are also a variety of methods for boosting growth that you will learn about here (I've had good luck with castor oil and silica suppliments). At the very least I bet your ends are nice and healthy now- hopefully it will grow back quickly and healthier than ever.

[tigereye]

Oh that's a horrible thing to happen! You should at least demand compensation from the hairdressers, though that won't make your hair instantly grow back. I always remember a piece of advice a friend gave me after a similar experience, when I go to any hairdressers (though I have found one that has thus far been exceptionally good) that whenever a stylist tells you she thinks you would look good with short hair, OR talk about donating it, walk out, or ask for a different stylist. And always watch what your stylist does very carefully. These pieces of advice have never failed me since.

There are many different vitamins, oils, treatments etc that are good for growing hair. Try experimenting and see what works best. I also heard caffeine was very good for growth. Coffee darkens hair though, so maybe caffeine tablets in a rinse, and massaged into the scalp would help. Just a suggestion though.
I sincerely hope your hair grows back quickly. I know how upset it would make me to have my hair chopped now. Good luck

[alxardnax]

Thank you all so much for the encouragement and help! Per everyones advice, I did call the salon and the manager said the owner would call me personally. I sincerely appreciate everyones help and kind welcome.

[Firefox7275]

So sorry to hear your hair got butchered this morning :( you should complain to stop her doing the same to someone else. I lost four inches from the front and two from the back this morning so you have my sympathies.

On the positive side you have found LHC as a result, welcome aboard it is lovely here! :D

[spidermom]

oh my goodness they're quite all the same!!! Can't believe it - very sorry for the bad experience and the shock you got! Unfortunately I don't know what to suggest to increase the hair growth - I noticed they appreciate daily scalp massage with jojoba oil and infusion of stinging nettle (which I hope is the right English translation for the Italian "infuso di ortica")

good luck for your hair growth!!

That is so unfair! Do you know that we have hair stylists as active members here? My own stylist is awesome.

All I know about hair growth is be healthy and be patient. Growth happens. Let it.

[Eire]

The occasional bad stylist is inevitable, and it's awful that the OP had to run across one, but we shouldn't start making sweeping generalizations. It's upsetting that bad encounters often seem to turn into a stylist-attacking frenzy on LHC.

I can relate though -- I tried to grow out my hair for four years, but went to random stylists during that time. The ratio of bad stylists to good was sufficient for my hair to grow little to no overall length, despite my constant request of a 1/2 inch trim. Bad stylists certainly exist. But there were plenty of good stylists I encountered during that period.

I think the problem is a lot of stylists are trained to accommodate the type of hair care most people want -- that is, lots of highlights, daily blowdrying, lots of heat use, etc. When they run across someone requesting something other than that, we must look like kind of an oddball. I advise finding a stylist that understands what you're going for, and then try to keep visiting the same one. But I think the underlying problem is fads and societal norms in hair, not stylists themselves.

[alxardnax]

The occasional bad stylist is inevitable, and it's awful that the OP had to run across one, but we shouldn't start making sweeping generalizations. It's upsetting that bad encounters often seem to turn into a stylist-attacking frenzy on LHC.

I can relate though -- I tried to grow out my hair for four years, but went to random stylists during that time. The ratio of bad stylists to good was sufficient for my hair to grow little to no overall length, despite my constant request of a 1/2 inch trim. Bad stylists certainly exist. But there were plenty of good stylists I encountered during that period.

I think the problem is a lot of stylists are trained to accommodate the type of hair care most people want -- that is, lots of highlights, daily blowdrying, lots of heat use, etc. When they run across someone requesting something other than that, we must look like kind of an oddball. I advise finding a stylist that understands what you're going for, and then try to keep visiting the same one. But I think the underlying problem is fads and societal norms in hair, not stylists themselves.

Well, I have always had stylists cut my hair and have never had a major problem before, that is until today. I have not tried to cut my hair myself before but after this one experience I am going to try trimming my own hair from now on until my hair gets long enough that I feel comfortable having a stylist work with it. And when I do go to the salon again I will be using the "what to say and do so you get the cut you want" thread as my guideline, which I find very helpful and practical advice. What to say and do so you get the cut you want (from a hairdresser)

[hairfanatic]

I know the feeling but your hair will geow out again

[Lynda]

I know the feeling but your hair will geow out again

:confused: Hair grows 1/4 inch per month, and 6 inches is several YEARS.

[UltraBella]

oh my goodness they're quite all the same!!! Can't believe it - very sorry for the bad experience and the shock you got! Unfortunately I don't know what to suggest to increase the hair growth - I noticed they appreciate daily scalp massage with jojoba oil and infusion of stinging nettle (which I hope is the right English translation for the Italian "infuso di ortica")

good luck for your hair growth!!


No, we are not all the same, not even remotely. That is like saying every artist is the same. Every mechanic is exactly the same. Every long haired woman is exactly the same. It's a very narrow view point and it is incorrect.

To the OP, I am sorry you have experienced this. I have had great success with stylists, but my golden rule is this : if they make me feel uncomfortable, they don't cut my hair. I had a consultation with a stylist once and afterwards I thanked her but told her that I no longer wanted my hair trimmed and that I appreciated her time. And I left.
I am glad the owner will be calling you. In many salons, stylists are booth renters and that means they are essentially their own boss. The owner is not their employer and speaking to the owner will not help. But, it sounds like this stylist is an employee or a commissioned stylist and I think you will likely get your money back. It doesn't compensate for the haircut, but at least it is something.
Good luck growing and hopefully you can learn to enjoy this length as well.

[wvgemini]

Yikes! That is awful :( I am very glad the shop owner is going to call you, though. I cannot imagine a stylist acting like that!


:confused: Hair grows 1/4 inch per month, and 6 inches is several YEARS.

Even if hair only grew 1/4 inch per month (average is closer to 1/2 inch), that would be 4 months to 1 inch. So two years MAX for 6 inches. Not several years.

[UltraBella]

:confused: Hair grows 1/4 inch per month, and 6 inches is several YEARS.

Lynda, AVERAGE hair growth is 1/2 inch per month, so six inches is roughly one year. However, many people get faster growth and it can vary from month to month too. Not everyone is the same. I get at least an inch of growth per month, so six inches is six months for me.

[selderon]

One benefit of giving negative feedback about a bad experience is that stylists with good intentions and a reasonably adult perspective will try to do better next time. Clients who tip the same regardless of the quality of the service actually do themselves and their stylists a disservice.

Please let us know how your conversation with the owner goes.

[x0h_bother]

I'm so sorry you had this experience. Two rules of thumb I learned from bad experiences like this, for me, are:
1-I've found it helpful to go to one stylist consistently who cuts my hair and listens (that way we have experience and a history together, not randomly showing up; when I come in they 'remember' me and how I like my hair when I remind them).
2-A second and most important rule is I underreport how much I want off. I always underreport at least 1/2 inch for my stylist. I say I want 1/2 inch off and I get 1 inch off. This is because stylists measure bigger. Like my mom says, most haircuts are truely chops and not trims, and stylists are used to chopping. The first time I finally came home with a successful 'trim,' my mom was pissed I spent so much money and came back "looking the same!" Stylists are used to customers wanting to look noticeably different; most didn't come in to look the same and pay money to not change.
Try not to feel bad~ many of us have had these bad experiences at one time or another. *hug*

[Nevvie]

I always found that for trims I had better luck with male barbers rather than a stylist who works with female hair on a day to day basis. I know that sounds strange but it seemed to work for me before I started trimming at home. If you can find a barber willing to trim your hair (not all will) it might be worth a try. Most have very little experience cutting/working with women's hair so they don't try anything fancy with style, shape or layers. There's no pressure to color, highlight or 'freshen it up a bit'. No choppy cuts, heat styling or product pushing. If I asked for a half inch taken off the bottom ONLY that's what I got, give or take 1/4 inch or so. Plus, the price was usually fantastic.

Good luck growing out your hair, I know how hard it can be.

[Mountaingrrl]

I definitely empathize! I've had all too many trims that became chops, before finding a good stylist and before finding LHC.

You've gotten some good advice here already. Another great thing you can do for your hair growth is to give it a lot of TLC so it'll need little or no trimming. Keep it moisturized, use protective updos as needed, avoid heat styling, damaging elastics, etc.

[Signe]

Omg you poor thing! I just posted something similar about a "dusting" I wanted in a salon, and even after a patient explanation of EXACTLY what I wanted and instructions on how to handle my hair I still lost at least 3 inches and had my hair brushed to oblivion...I was so upset! Good news is that it has been just four months and I am nearly back to where I was, but with the added benefit of finding LHC :D
I, like you, was looking for a better way to grow my hair long and a way to avoid getting the wrong cut in future. I am happy to say I now have a set of scissors (a fraction the cost of a haircut!) and am loving the S&D. I would definitely encourage you to take matters into your own hands!
In a way, I am grateful that I had a cutback because my hemline is sooooo much better now than it was at the same length before. I guess every cloud has its silver lining and all that :)

[ScarlettAdelle]

I'm so sorry this happened to you! The good news is at least she didn't chop you above shoulder!

Next time, if you feel that your stylist is trying to pressure you to meet their ideals for your appearance, walk out BEFORE she gets the scissors out. Yes, she might be offended, but she might learn from it. If you try to push your ideals on your clients, they won't be your clients for long.

[Fufu]

What a horrible hairstylist, lodge a complain against her.

Don't worry, since you have beautiful and healthy hair, your hair will definitely still grow our beautifully.

I adore my hairstylist, when I wanted a big chop from my hair BSL to shoulder, she kept asking me whether I want to do it or not.

It takes time and luck to find a suitable hairstylist for yourself. At the meantime, treat yourself some good snacks, meal and baby your hair :)

[Ishje]

next time something like this happens, leave before the hairdresser starts cutting.
people who try to pressure you in this sort of thing do not understand what you want.
they are obviously not listening to your wishes, especially because you where very clear about it.
make sure you find a hairdresser that really listens to you, and stick with that person.

I am sorry it happened :(

[Dolly]

That is so unfair! Do you know that we have hair stylists as active members here? My own stylist is awesome.



So is mine! I love my stylist. She never cuts any more than I ask, and never tries to push extra services on me, either. When my future step-daughter needed about 1/2 inch off, she was scared to go to the hairdresser because they would cut too much, I took her to my stylist, and she was thrilled with the service.

There are wonderful, fabulous stylists out there who know what they are doing!

[Mesmerise]

Wow I am sooo sorry you had to go through this. What a horrible stylist!!! (No, I won't lump all stylists into the same category, as I know there are many wonderful ones too). She was incredibly disrespectful, and I hope you get a full refund from the salon you went to as well as a full apology from the manager.

The good thing is...your hair WILL grow, and you will leave this experience feeling a little wiser. The next time you hear a stylist talk about "donating hair" or anything similar LEAVE...NOW...and complain! It is NOT their job to do that! Their job is to do EXACTLY what you say. And geez, a long hair getting a trim should be an ideal job for a stylist, cause it's not hard to trim 1/4" off the bottom of someone's hair! Geez last time I had a trim, it seriously took the woman 5 minutes to cut my hair, and I had to pay MORE for that cut than I did for my kids' cuts, all of which took longer and were more complicated. (I also had to convince her that I did NOT want layers about four times :rolleyes:).

There are a few things you can do that will possibly make your hair grow faster (although there are no guarantees), a lot of people use castor oil as a scalp treatment (massaged in) to help stimulate growth (just do a forum search for it), and others take supplements for hair, skin and nails, which include things like biotin and MSN (again, you'll find some threads on these topics if you do a search). If you're like most people, your hair will grow 1/2" or so montly, and I'm not sure how far your BSL is from waist length, but if it's 4-5 inches, you can expect it to take you 8 to 10 months, which really isn't so bad in the whole scheme of things!

[Xandergrammy]

I feel your pain. I didn't get my hair trimmed for 15 years after getting my hair butchered. I just let it grow and grow it did. I just had my first trim since then in November 2010 and my DH is the only one I trusted with the scissors. He did a great job. I highly recommend trimming yourself or have a trusted person do it. I look forward to watching your hair grow!

[spitfire511]

I was glad to see UltraBella weigh in on this - she always has such good input when it comes to the inner workings of salons and how stylists work.

To the OP, maybe look at the positive? Although you've had much more cut than you would have liked, you can make sure that you have really great habits with this hair (not saying that you didn't already) and get really nice healthy length. Enjoy some of the updos that are easier with hair that's a little shorter (messy buns and the like)!

I'm also glad to see that you called the salon - at least the stylist will know!

:grouphug:

[alxardnax]

Thanks for all the great advice! I have decided to start off with this new haircut being healthier and take even better care of my hair. Hopefully I can grow it out even more beautiful than before. I am doing fine except when I look in the mirror and see the dramatic difference I still get emotional but I am doing much better than yesterday!

[alxardnax]

I had a conversation with the salon owner and I was very kind and calm. He refused to apologize and said they did nothing wrong and that he saw the whole thing and that my story is not what happened (which is not true but it is a tiny salon and he was nowhere to be seen. I had a friend with me and she said she never saw him either). He said he would only offer a refund if I stopped by. He then left a message 10 minutes later and left a nasty message telling me to save the trip because he changed his mind and would not refund me and that he had witnesses etc. (witnesses to what!?)The single worst experience I have ever had not only because I lost all that hair but also because they violated what I said and treated me that way afterwards.

This has definatley taught me a lesson and I hope other people will take caution in the future too!

[selderon]

The salon owner's choice seems unlikely to win him repeat business or recommendations... which are the life-blood of any salon.

There are a couple of avenues you can take:
1) Shrug it off-- decide that any further energy expended in pursuing this is wasted and put it behind you. Bonus: tons of saved emotional energy!
2) Try to educate them-- Visit another salon (conditioning treatments, pedicures, hair products, whatever) and save the receipts throughout the year. Refer friends, family and coworkers to this new salon. Keep track of who you referred and when. At the end of the year, send a polite letter to the old salon with photocopies of the receipts and a total of how many new clients you referred to the new salon. Explain that you would have loved to make their salon your home, but because of the owner's response (list the measurable things he did) you were unable to do so. Bonus: you gather valuable information about your spending habits and learn how one client can affect a business... and maybe the old salon owner becomes more customer friendly.

I recommend 1. ;)

[Darkhorse1]

I would report this business to the better business bueruea. That is absurd!! If a customer isn't happy, they should care about your feelings etc.

Sounds like a terrible experience and I would use the BBB to report this treatment. You can also see if they've had problems/complaints made on the BBB too.

[UltraBella]

I had a conversation with the salon owner and I was very kind and calm. He refused to apologize and said they did nothing wrong and that he saw the whole thing and that my story is not what happened (which is not true but it is a tiny salon and he was nowhere to be seen. I had a friend with me and she said she never saw him either). He said he would only offer a refund if I stopped by. He then left a message 10 minutes later and left a nasty message telling me to save the trip because he changed his mind and would not refund me and that he had witnesses etc. (witnesses to what!?)The single worst experience I have ever had not only because I lost all that hair but also because they violated what I said and treated me that way afterwards.

This has definatley taught me a lesson and I hope other people will take caution in the future too!

This is...... completely rediculous. I do not even understand what the owner could possibly be thinking. Business practices of this nature usually accumulate over time until the salon ends up CLOSED. Every client, even the pain in the *** ones, should be treated like they are irreplaceable. I have clients who come into the salon and I cringe internally because they are so difficult, but they *think* I adore them. And they tell others. And business is good ;)

[alxardnax]

I was speechless after listening to the message. He said that me and my friend should just not come back again too. Isn't that the opposite of what you want? I don't own a business but I am under the assumption the owners want their clients to return.

[ladydiane818]

I would go on Yahoo Local or any other websites you can find, and post a review of the salon. I use Yahoo Local to find stuff all the time, and if I read a review like the one I'm sure you would write, I would never go there. Definitely tell everyone you know about it. Word of mouth will spread around and their bad business practices will be known to everyone! Especially the way the owner handled it, was very unprofessional.

But don't worry - I've chopped my hair many times in my life, and it always grows back eventually! ((HUGS))

[jeanniet]

I'm very sorry that you were treated so badly. Not all salons are like that, by a long shot. I would write a polite letter to the owner informing him that you will recommend against using his salon to all your friends and relatives, and I would write a review detailing your experience on any online site you can think of. Be truthful and detailed in what you write, and try not to be overly emotional--just the facts, ma'am.

What UltraBella said is right--if you don't feel comfortable with a service you're receiving, you have the right to discontinue it. People don't have the right to abuse you and get paid for it!

Your hair will grow back, but it'll take time. There's nothing you can do about that now, so just be patient and let it grow. :)

[Mesmerise]

I had a conversation with the salon owner and I was very kind and calm. He refused to apologize and said they did nothing wrong and that he saw the whole thing and that my story is not what happened (which is not true but it is a tiny salon and he was nowhere to be seen. I had a friend with me and she said she never saw him either). He said he would only offer a refund if I stopped by. He then left a message 10 minutes later and left a nasty message telling me to save the trip because he changed his mind and would not refund me and that he had witnesses etc. (witnesses to what!?)The single worst experience I have ever had not only because I lost all that hair but also because they violated what I said and treated me that way afterwards.

This has definatley taught me a lesson and I hope other people will take caution in the future too!

Wow that really makes MY blood boil on your behalf! What an ********!! Do you have a local paper you can write a letter to?? I would seriously do some naming and shaming and let EVERYONE know how uncooperative they were, and how the stylist refused to listen to your request and was pushy and horrible. GRRRR... I really expected them to AT LEAST give you an apology and a refund.

That sort of treatment is completely uncalled for!! Honestly, I would go around telling everyone I knew to avoid that salon in future!

Oh, and you know what else I'd do? I WOULD go back to that salon, bringing a couple of friends with me (preferably one who is large, and male and scary) and I would ask to speak to the manager, in a sufficiently loud voice, and then I would demand a refund, and I'd explain (again loudly enough so that any patrons could hear) exactly what I'd experienced! I wonder if that would make him a little...nicer??!

[selderon]

Oh, and you know what else I'd do? I WOULD go back to that salon, bringing a couple of friends with me (preferably one who is large, and male and scary) and I would ask to speak to the manager, in a sufficiently loud voice, and then I would demand a refund, and I'd explain (again loudly enough so that any patrons could hear) exactly what I'd experienced! I wonder if that would make him a little...nicer??!

Tempting, to the vengeful side of one's nature... but more likely to make the person who was wronged look like the bad guy. Not to mention it's easy for that sort of thing to shade over into disorderly conduct, assault (which is verbal), etc. And then you're meeting the local cops in a non-social fashion and it's ulcers and some really unattractive bracelets all round. ;)

How about some cheese instead?

[Mesmerise]

Tempting, to the vengeful side of one's nature... but more likely to make the person who was wronged look like the bad guy. Not to mention it's easy for that sort of thing to shade over into disorderly conduct, assault (which is verbal), etc. And then you're meeting the local cops in a non-social fashion and it's ulcers and some really unattractive bracelets all round. ;)

How about some cheese instead?

Well cheese is always good lol.

Anyway, I'm not really talking about threatening the guy, just backing myself up (or in this case the OP up) because it can be really hard confronting someone "on their own turf" so to speak. To offer her a refund if she came back in... and then withdrawing that 10 minutes later... is just RUDE and wrong. Of course it would be scary for her to go in there asking for a refund (which she has EVERY right to do) but being backed by a couple of friends would make it easier for her, and also might make the manager see sense!

While in his salon, he's got the upper hand (as he's got staff there etc.) but if she brings in friends, she's not alone, and if one looks scary (even just standing there) the manager may be less inclined to argue!! No threats need to be made, just a polite but firm request that the refund be given because she's dissatisfied with the way her hair turned out as the stylist refused to give her what she asked for (which was a trim NOT a cut).

[selderon]

Well cheese is always good lol.

Anyway, I'm not really talking about threatening the guy, just backing myself up (or in this case the OP up) because it can be really hard confronting someone "on their own turf" so to speak. To offer her a refund if she came back in... and then withdrawing that 10 minutes later... is just RUDE and wrong. Of course it would be scary for her to go in there asking for a refund (which she has EVERY right to do) but being backed by a couple of friends would make it easier for her, and also might make the manager see sense!

While in his salon, he's got the upper hand (as he's got staff there etc.) but if she brings in friends, she's not alone, and if one looks scary (even just standing there) the manager may be less inclined to argue!! No threats need to be made, just a polite but firm request that the refund be given because she's dissatisfied with the way her hair turned out as the stylist refused to give her what she asked for (which was a trim NOT a cut).

Ok, that's very different from how I read the previous post. Thanks for the clarification. :) Sounds like you'd be a good friend to have.

[Dina L.]

I had a conversation with the salon owner and I was very kind and calm. He refused to apologize and said they did nothing wrong and that he saw the whole thing and that my story is not what happened (which is not true but it is a tiny salon and he was nowhere to be seen. I had a friend with me and she said she never saw him either). He said he would only offer a refund if I stopped by. He then left a message 10 minutes later and left a nasty message telling me to save the trip because he changed his mind and would not refund me and that he had witnesses etc. (witnesses to what!?)The single worst experience I have ever had not only because I lost all that hair but also because they violated what I said and treated me that way afterwards.

This has definatley taught me a lesson and I hope other people will take caution in the future too!

I would definitely write this story to the local paper. :eyebrows: