Woman With Record-breaking Dreadlocks Refuses Medical Treatment To Keep Her Hair

by Melissa White
Licensed Hair Stylist
Certified Hair Extension Artist

We typically don't make a mindful decision to let things get out of hand or develop what could be seen as obsessive-compulsive behavior that could in fact harm us.

Asha and her dreadlocks

I recently came across a story of a woman who holds the world record for having the world's longest dreadlocks on the television show The Doctors.

Apparently Asha Mandela has been diagnosed with colon cancer, and was advised by her doctors to cut her 19 foot long / 39 pound  dreadlocks so that she could follow through with recommended medical treatments. The woman has chosen instead to avoid the treatment and keep her beloved locks in place, much to the distress of her advisers, friends and family.

You may remember I first wrote about Asha last February when she appeared on television talking about her addiction to her own hair. At that time, she claimed 21 foot long hair. Asha has been growing her hair for over 25 years, and it is very much a part of her. As she explains, "I didn't plan on growing my hair this long. Once I accepted it it's like it took on a life of it's own."

Having specialized in hair extensions for over ten years, I understand a woman's desire to have nice hair. It's part of what makes us feel feminine and attractive. But, at the same time, I've yet to encounter any client who has been so obsessed with their hair that they are willing to put their own personal safety - or their life - on the line. What do you think? 

Overboard Obsession or Understandable Decision?

ARTICLE REFERENCE / FOR MORE INFORMATION:
aol.com - Dreadlocked Woman Chooses Hair Over Health
EOY - Woman With 21 Foot Long Hair...Addiction To Her Own Hair

ABOUT THE AUTHOR -

Melissa White is an experienced, licensed hair extension artist and stylist whose passion is to bring out the natural beauty in everyone by enhancing their own individual features with the use of exquisite hair extensions. Melissa has over 10 years of extensive training with the industries top hair extension companies in the newest techniques. Melissa is also a certified Brazilian Blowout stylist. Originally from Boston, Melissa has been in San Antonio for the past 8 years. She believes that everyone should be able to access and afford the hair of their dreams . . . thus the creation of Extensions of Yourself, San Antonio's first salon which specializes exclusively in quality hair extensions.

Domestic Battery Case Involves Yanking Out Woman's Hair Extensions

by Melissa L. White
Licensed Hair Stylist
Certified Hair Extension Artist

Strange news comes from almost every area of everyday life, but one piece of news out of Indianapolis seemed to hit home because it involved an assault on hair extensions! An Indiana couple were in the midst of an argument on Sunday March 10th when things took a bad turn for the woman who wore hair extensions.


Woman Fights Off Attack
Photo Credit: indianexpress.com


Police responding to the disturbance call found the 48 year old woman clutching her hair extensions as she described that her boyfriend started yelling at her and began ripping out her hair extensions! Officers also found extensions scattered about on the pavement in the alleyway where the couple had been walking after visiting a local gas station.

The 51 year old boyfriend denied fighting with the woman, claiming that she was "his old lady", and that he would never hurt her. According to reports he was, "visibly intoxicated on the scene". Taken into custody, he faces preliminary charges of domestic battery, battery with injury and public intoxication.

Perhaps a bad choice in "boyfriend material", but none-the-less this sounds more like something you'd hear about in a fight among girls at the high school soccer field. I recall witnessing fights among girls where the first thing they grab tends to be the hair. A frightening thought for someone who has hair extensions.

News like this is uncomfortable for a number of reasons, and one can only imagine how this woman feels after this "very personal" type of violation. Women who get hair extensions are sometimes looking for solutions to hair loss, balding, or a medical condition that leaves them unable to grow their own hair. I see a great many women who have undergone medical treatments such as chemotherapy or other drug treatments that causes them to lose their hair. Even women returning from military service often look for a way to quickly transition back into civilian life and ways to make them feel more feminine. It is tragic when you hear of someone being violated in this way.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR -

Melissa White is an experienced, licensed hair extension artist and stylist whose passion is to bring out the natural beauty in everyone by enhancing their own individual features with the use of exquisite hair extensions. Melissa has over 10 years of extensive training with the industries top hair extension companies in the newest techniques. Melissa is also a certified Brazilian Blowout stylist. Originally from Boston, Melissa has been in San Antonio for the past 8 years. She believes that everyone should be able to access and afford the hair of their dreams . . . thus the creation of Extensions of Yourself, San Antonio's first salon which specializes exclusively in quality hair extensions.