new thread
I've been waiting and hesitating quite a bit with posting this here, seeing as the way some of the feelings towards my attempt at dreads were before the big day, but I miss this place, and I promised a good friend to be back here sooner than later, so here goes.
The dreadlocks were fantastic, eventhough they left my scalp extremely sore. I could compare the pain while getting them to the pain of getting my chestpiece, but I would be lying. The crochet work was by far some of the most agonizing pain I've ever felt, and this is coming from a guy who has broken two vertebrae in his spine back in the day.
To make a long and sad story short... after 3 days of a very red, sore and irritated scalp, I decided to get in the shower and try combing out the dreads, using a fleacomb and tons of conditioner. To my great horror, I ended up with half my hair down on the shower cabinet's floor.
You can imagine the rest. Here was the result (in the picture attached).
I am now back on track with a 95% fully healed scalp, and 10 days into my new hair journey! I have missed this place, and just wanted to let you guys know that.
For all the great updates I've missed here, do know I have been following for the most part, and am proud of you guys!
Onward and forward, here we go again! =)
Too bad it didn't work out, but at least you tried it!
And the good thing is, hair will grow back :)
Hope your scalp will heal quickly.
Thanks Vince!
Already on my way back to long hair :)
Hi old friend,
I am so happy to see you back here buddy! I am also so sorry that you went through the terrible ordeal! As you know, nothing ventured nothing gained! Unfortunately it didn't work for you.
I have definitely missed your updates here. And I would guess the other members here have also. And I am so happy that you're back on track and healing up! I am also proud of you for doing what you want. And that you have returned back home to the MLHH. We will support your efforts whatever you decide to do. Hopefully you will grow your hair out and enjoy the journey once again!
With that said, welcome back home and we are very happy to have you here! I definitely look forward to your future posts! Great weekend to you my friend:)
Ted
Hey Ted!
Ain't you as sweet and kind hearted as always, thank you!
Of course I am starting a new hair journey, and am already 11 days into it, WOOT WOOT! :P
Hey Raul, welcome back! Hopefully the scalp pain has subsided and your back to normal now. I'm looking forward to your new journey and all the progress you'll be making.
-Tommy
Thanks Tommy!
Scalp is almost 100% healthy again, and I am happy to be back! Always appreciate your support, both here on my YT channel! :)
Oh no Raul-
This is just so horrible beyond anything I have ever known for a guy simply trying a new hairstyle. That woman who did this to you should be put out of business. It almost looks to me as if there could be possible cause for a lawsuit as you were injured, and, because of her complete non-expertise went through an agony of pain that was hideous. Alas, most likely difficult unless you had been seen by a dr. and he had declared injury etc. and all had been documented.
In any case, I am glad that you are ok and being hair, it will grow back. You gave it your all and SHE botched up in a dangerous way. You did your homework about Dreadlocks, and indeed did it well. Great thought was given to your decision.
My best to you always Raul and take care-
Justin~
Heya Justin!
Well, I did ring afterwards and ask for a refund, and she offered to pay me back 1/2 the sum, considering that her and this other stylist have worked on my hair for roughly 6 hours. Sounded decent enough to me, so I said yes.
Funny thing is that about 3-4 days ago I got an e-mail from her, asking me to please remove any YT videos where I might have mentioned the name of her establishment, since it would look bad for her and her Salon.
I really don't want to do that as it would create a gap in my hair experience timeline, but I suggested to do it if she payed me back the other half of my money.
To my surpise, she did.
So the 500 USD are back in my pocket, and I will be removing some of those videos on YT, but the really important part of course is the hair that is gone... then again, it WILL grow out again, and in fact, it ALREADY DOES! ;)
I am pretty sure that in a month from now I will already be able to spike it up a little, and move out of this baldie phase, hehe..
Appreciate it, bud, as always!
Wow, I was not aware that was such an expensive process, so you were more than justified in asking for a refund considering the outcome. I'm not surprised that they agreed to a full refund if you took any mention of them off of YT, that's bad publicity that no company would want.
As for keeping the Vlog timeline intact, if they're mentioned by name in the video you can probably just edit video and bleep it out. :)
At least it looks like you sustained no permanent damage and you're on your way back.
Good Luck! Hopefully no more setbacks!
--Dale
Hi Raul,
First of all, welcome back to the hyperboard, and thank you for checking in to update us. Of course, I am genuinely sorry to hear what you went through, and that you experienced so much pain during this experience as well.
You can count on mine as well as everyone's support in your new hair growing journey.
Take care,
David
Appreciate it, David... after all, that's what friends are for, and I would do exactly the same for any of you whould would've experience such a setback in their hair journey :)
Thanks!
This I think comes under the heading "live and learn". You never
know until you try and you gave it a good try. Nobody is
successful all the time. As the old saying goes you win some you
lose some. That is life. Now just focus on your future and
carry on. And if anyone tells you "I told you so" just treat
them as you would someone who says "get a haircut". Your status
here should be the same as always and nobody should think the less
of you.
Great way of looking at things, MG, and I will be definitely starting this journey again with nothing put positiveness and happiness in my heart!
Welcome home my friend and it’s great to see you back here! You thought a long time about getting dreads. You didn’t jump into anything and you ended up liking them very much. It was completely unforeseen and unknowable that your scalp would have this reaction to the treatment done by the crochet artist. Except for this unfortunate stroke of bad luck, you would now be on your way to lower back dreads.
Cheers for not giving up! True, it is a setback, but knowledge has been gained and now you can start fresh having experienced a different road. Much better that you had the problem at 10 months than 3 years!
We’re all looking forward to watching your journey this time right from scratch. It will be very rewarding to look back and see the progress right from that beginning. Onward!
Hey Jason!
You know how grateful I am for all the advice, support and positive attitude, and even more so friendship, brother... so no need to repeat that here!
I will simply say thanks, and add the link to my latest video on youtube, the 1 week update in my journey, woot! Hehe
Oh, Raul - I am so sorry for what you have gone through with your hair and your sore head. However, I applaude you for giving something a try - you researched it, thought it through and went for something you wanted... It was heartbreaking to see and read what happened to you and your beautiful hair, though.
I think it is reassuring that we can say - "it will grow back" but, among us that count this slow process sometimes painfully slow - to say "it's only hair - it'll grow back" seems like little comfort. Hopefully, your scalp will heal and there will be no permanent damage. Hopefully you can tell your story to help others decide to go with the dreadlocks or not.
Lastly, I never considered you gone - but thought you were just not posting for the time being - and I also figured not much had changed with you as you were growing out your dreads... Now that they are gone, do you think you will grow your hair long again? I hope you will keep us updated on your journey along the way...
I know some of the guys here are true longhairs and have beautiful waist length and to the floor long hair - but still, this is a great place to be for us guys starting out - among good guys - who support the swim against the current - and the encouragement to be patient.
I sure look forward to seeing that beautiful dark hair of yours growing in again.
Fitz
Heya Fitz!
Thank you for your compassion, my friend :)
I have already started my new hair journey, and will be going for natural long hair this time around. As you say, for us who were literally counting hours, days and weeks, this is a HUGE setback, but I have faith that this was meant to happen, only to test my heart and will to really grow long hair, and stick with it for years.
I am glad to report that I was never morso convinced over the fact that I am meant to be a longhair again, and that is exactly what I shall be doing from now on :)
Hey Raul,
First off I'm very sorry that your planned new adventure into the dreadlock world did not work out for you which is why early on I only expressed caution when you announced your decision to go through with it.I in no way wanted to throw cold water on something you really wanted to experience.With that said I trust your new journey will be for standard fare boring longhair now;) Joking of course about boring.I known it sux to have to restart the journey but better when your hair wasn't all that long yet than if it was mid back or longer. Thanks for stopping back to tell your story as I'm sure it will help others thinking of going the dreadlock route. Take care of yourself my friend.
Mârk
Heya Mark!
I know you ment to harm man, water under the bridge really! :)
You are correct, my friend! Starting September 17th I took my first steps towards just "plain on boring" long hair, no locks this time around! ;)
Appreciate the kind words man!
Hey Raul,
I feel for you, man. It's too bad that your journey into dreadlocks didn't work out.
Let your gorgeous hair grow. Now that you've experienced the dreadlocks let your hair grow out to terminal length. You'll look absolutely awesome. Keep us updated your story and your journey will be an inspiration to us and to all who maybe thinking about growing their hair out.
I'm pulling for you all the way, bro.
Your long haired bro,
Raymond
Hey Raymond!
Thanks, bro! I will definitely be starting this new journey with a bit more (recent) exeprience and even more so appreciation to being able to have long hair at all! :)
Thanks again!
Dear Raul = I'm so deeply saddened & dismayed at your plight, pain & suffering - I cried when I saw your pic. - I just wanna give you a hug !!! very kind regards CEM.
Thanks buddy, means a lot! But know that no matter what, I shall achieve my goal of being a longhair once more, it will simply take me another year... but then again, I plan on having MANY MANY more years to go, so.... it's all good :)
Cryin' for you, man.
Bill
Appreciate it, my friend :)
Don't worry, I'll be back /Arnie!
Hi Raul,
Although I already knew about this because of your YT channel, I wanted to welcome you back to the board.
I still don't understand how you could get that side effect on your scalp due to the crochet. It might be really painful dude.
On YouTube, your scalp looked even better than on this picture. After I saw this pic I was shocked, really.
I always try to find the bright side, and like others said , it is better that this happened to you on your 10th month of growth rather than after 3 years of growing.
Also, its a good learning experience for everyone (not just for you) : Who would have thought that getting dreadlocks could take you to this?
I have to disagree with you in ONE thing: If that would've happened to me, I would've post EVERYWHERE the disaster those hair stylists did to prevent other people from going through the same thing again.
That is MY personal point of view and my own way to handle a situation like this, but I woulnt hesitate on doing that haha.
But well, the bad part is over. Your pain is relieved, and you're not only back on track but also you're back home: this board.
It will be really fun to keep your long hair journey documented through photos , videos, etc now.
Thanks Dave!
Always appreciate your support and comments, both here and on my channel :)
And it might sound funny to you, but I belive that making a huge fuss with tons of negative energy about what happened to my hair, seeking redemption in a way that would perhaps hurt others' and not simply accepting it in a peaceful way, would affect my new hair journey and myself and I would be starting it with some negative memories and negative energy inside me, something I do not wish to have.
All is good, man... two weeks into it, and I can hardly see my scalp anymore, thank god :)