There are so many things you have to learn in school in order to graduate that only the basics of each course are taught and demonstrated. You are encouraged however to continue your education and if there is a certain aspect that you would like to specialize in you can take further courses and/or get an apprenticeship, but you always need to keep learning to stay abreast of all the new techniques and products.
Learning to take care of ethnic hair is also a requirement in order to graduate, specifically African-American hair because it needs very special attention. Working with overly curly hair requires special knowledge. Chances are if you are Caucasian you will never need to apply this knowledge, but it’s still a requirement.
Believe me racial snobbery isn’t limited to Caucasians. The general consensus of the African-American from my experience in school is that white cosmetologist have no clue about black hair. Granted the black cosmetologists have gone through these procedures all there lives and definitely are more versed in the special needs of that races scalp and hair needs.
Regardless everyone has to learn the professional way of taking care of overly curly hair. No one is perfect with all aspects of cosmetology and most prefer certain aspects of the field and specialize just like doctors. I personally love cutting and I love using my clippers. When I worked in the professional salon I can honestly say I saw very few African-Americans walk through our door unless a black stylist worked there.
I had many ethnic clients when I was in school and the older ladies asked for me specifically maybe because I was older and more mature and more patient with them. I was informed that my counterpart was a lot rougher on their scalp and I was told by our black instructor that a black child endures a lot of “toughening” up of the scalp so they will be able to endure all the tortures that they put their hair and scalp through growing up and they can’t afford to be tenderheaded.
You will learn all about chemical hair relaxers, soft curl perms, wraps, chemical blowouts, hair pressing (thermal hair straightening) and how to use the pressing combs correctly, how to do a weave and apply extensions, cornrows, finger waves and how to technically cut overly curly hair.
You will learn these things, but unless you get to practice them daily and extend your knowledge you will forget them because these services will not be important in your day to day career and you will concentrate more on the services that you do provide as your source of income and expand on them. I will share more of the techniques and things you will learn about ethnic hair care in future posts.
I am currently in Beauty School and, yes there is a lot to absorb both technically and practically. I love the skills I’m acquiring. I am annoyed that your teacher told you that African Americans have to “toughen up” their children’s scalp because of what they will have to endure to achieve hair satisfaction later on in life. That was a lost teaching and learning moment. Turns out that “ethnic hair” & scalp is more sensitibe and in need of careful attention and correct advice due to follicle curve, hair texture, & strand thickness and of course previous hair abuse via processes. Any young scalp ought to be treated as gently as possible, brushed, combed,washed & conditioned with natural oils & shampoos for as long as possible. I am mixed race and have been to black, chinese,white & hispanic salons – the only ones who consistently act weird are the white girls (they were nice to me but…)- white male hairdressers acted confidently and made me happy.- maybe it was just my luck. Someone should do a study……call me if you want to collaborate on such a survey. Ciao
Which beauty school are you going to? I am concerned about going to one that only has students with naturally straight hair. I don’t want to be the guinea pig, and I do want to be edcucated more about curly and kinky hair types.
Exactly. What Valerie said. Plus, many “White” people have what might be deemed “ethnic” hair; I’ve seen many Mediterranean (e.g. Rhea Pearlman, actress on “Cheers”) and some Eastern European people with hair that is kinky/curly; and it goes without saying (hopefully), there are Pacific Islanders who also have kinky/curly hair. So to a certain degree, the stereotypes that you think and have learned are true, but there is a lot of grey area. Valerie is spot on with saying that the hair of many people of African-Decent (including mixed people) is more fragile. You can even do a google search and see magnified images of hair. It’s a myth from older generations that people who are all or part black need their hair tugged on.
Personally, as a biracial person with 3C fine porous hair, I have only had 3 out ~20 professional hairdressers do my hair justice; a Caucasian lady who left it short and curly; a Black man who got it so straight w/out damage; a curly-haired White French lady who blow-dried it straight and the style stayed. So for me, someone’s race or even their own experiences with non-Caucasian hair are not enough to convince me that they know what they’re talking about, as not all “ethnic” hair is the same, and not everyone even knows how to style such hair naturally, to bring out the ringlets and waves without Jerry Curls or heat appliances. Uck.