Losing My Crown of Glory… And How I Got It Back

In April of 2013, I married my best friend and decided to follow him anywhere the military took us. As a Naturalista, I began to panic. What was I going to do with my hair? I was 3 years natural and knew the stress of moving wasn’t going to allow me to give my hair the TLC it deserved. I stockpiled all of my favorite hair products and decided to get a sew-in.

After I got it done, it felt tight. I dismissed the thought and assumed that I wasn’t accustomed to the style. A few days later, my scalp felt itchy. I thought if I washed it, it would relieve all of my problems. I washed my hair and a day later it was unbearably itchy! I finally decided after 8 days to just take the style down. As I was taking the braids down, chunks of my hair fell to the floor like black clouds of smoke from an exhaust pipe. At the top of my head where it itched the most, was a black spiral in the shape of the braid pattern. My scalp was red, swollen, and looked nothing like my head.

I consulted a dermatologist. I was told that a portion of my scalp died from the tension and that I would be left with permanent scars. Yes, I said DIED!! I literally cried as the dermatologist prepared my treatment plan for the days to come. I was so upset at myself for ignoring all of the warning signs. As the wound in my head was healing, I got tired of my hair never fully drying from the frequent washing and decided to cut it off. I thought a clean slate would help me feel better.

When my husband finished cutting my hair, I looked in the mirror in complete horror. He stared at me in silence waiting to get my approval. I made a beeline outside to cry in peace. I HATED my head, the scar, the situation, and was ready to put hands on the person that styled my hair. After sobbing for a few moments, my husband came and sat beside me. He said you are beautiful. I didn’t marry you for your hair. I married you for you. I cried again because I felt the bricks from my shattered wall of confidence start to rebuild itself. I felt like India.Arie was in the background singing. *cues I am not my hair…*

From that moment, I started to embrace my bald head and was shocked at the overwhelmingly positive responses I got. I was called Brave, Beautiful, and Bold. I struggle to say thank you at times. Mentally, I didn’t quite connect with the new look more so because of how it happened. Once I forgave myself for ignoring the warning signs and the stylist that did my hair, I was finally able to embrace my New Crown of Glory.

Who would have ever thought it took forgiveness to make me love my hair again?

Comment Below: Have you ever had a terrible hair experience that left some emotional scars?

COMMENTS
  • Courtney

    REPLY

    . The person that I am, I wear other people problems on my shoulders, and last year – was when I had too much on my shoulders. I was spread thin, so thin – that according to my hair stylist my hair was completely gone at the top. I cried. I have always had long hair, it has always been who Courtney was… I think culturally as a race, we as black women take pride in our hair, as you say it it’s our crown!

    August 24, 2018
  • Kraven

    REPLY

    Wow! What a story! I don’t think I’ve ever had a moment where my hair was consistently “on point” for a prolonged period of time! I do recall a time where my hair was thick, full, vivacious! Being the young and uninformed college gal that I was at the time, I ended up relaxing it with some old relaxer, and my poor hair completely broke off! I was so hurt!

    August 25, 2018
  • Jackie

    REPLY

    Liz what an amazing post… I lost a lot of hair to Sjogrens Syndrome a few years back and struggled with the wigs, the quick weaves and finally due to a deployment decided to go natural… when the Army reversed the loc regulation I ran and had my locs done… this is another post that reminds me and all women how beautiful we are with short, kinky and natural hair. Glad your Husband loves you for You and not superficial hair… so proud of your bravery .. love ya girl

    August 25, 2018
  • Keyvia Davis

    REPLY

    I lost my hair in high school to a bad perm experience. It taught me that hair grows back and when it dont buy lol. I love your transparency in all of your posts! Great stuff!

    August 26, 2018
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