Terri D. Ledsinger stopped chemically straightening, or relaxing, her hair a year ago and does not regret it one bit.
“The only regret I had was that I wish I had done it sooner,” she said. “When I got it cut off, I had four or five inches of relaxed hair. I felt excitement, anticipation and curiosity about what my hair was going to look like after 30 years of having a relaxer.”
For many women who are following the trend of “going natural,” learning your original hair texture and curl pattern is a journey. While she’s enjoying styling her tresses, Ledsinger realized that in the ever-expanding world of natural hair care, there is a lot of good and bad information.
She did some research on the best in natural hair care and decided to host an event for men and women with all types of hair to have the chance to learn the ins and outs of being natural.
“Returning To Our Roots Indianapolis Hair Expo” will be held May 12 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Wyndham Indianapolis West Hotel in Golden Ballrooms #4 and #5 and is sponsored by Ledsinger’s company Terri D. Communications Inc.
“As I was preparing to do this event, I found out there are now 78 lines specifically for natural hair. I compare it to the cereal aisle in the grocery store,” said Ledsinger, who comes from several generations of hair stylists. “And as a new natural hair wearer, if you don’t know what you’re looking for, you can easily buy the wrong products and they could damage your hair.”
Today, many Black women are opting for natural styles, ranging from afros to twists to locks. Some cite the high cost of relaxers and the damaging effects to the scalp and hair as reasons for returning to their original hair texture. Other reasons include the restrictive nature of relaxed hair, such as getting it wet, and the long hours in the hair salon. Other relaxed women are simply going natural for aesthetic reasons.
“I think now because you are seeing it so much everywhere, women are feeling ‘I don’t have to be ashamed of my kinky hair. I can say the word and not have a negative cloud hanging over me,’” said Ledsinger. “It’s more than a style change, sometimes. It’s a mental change.”
Some reasons for going natural should not suggest that having natural hair is easier than having relaxed hair. Ledsinger designed the event to be a chance to learn the truth about going natural, available products and how to style natural hair as well as an opportunity to ask the experts questions.
The day will consist of hair and makeup demonstrations, a Q and A with licensed hair stylists, a session focused on identifying hair types and the correct product for your hair type. There will also be an informational session about styling kids’ hair and a look at the negative stereotypes and language associated with natural hair among other workshops and vendors selling items.
There will even be opportunities for people who dare to take the “big chop,” completely cutting off the relaxed hair.
“Typically I talk with clients to see if they’re going to be comfortable with their new hair. Some people may only have three months of new growth so they’re going to have a tiny afro – others may have been growing their hair for a year and just haven’t taken that big step,” said Rana Barker, stylist and business manager at Shodah Spalon. “Afterwards, I educate them on what to do after the chop. A lot of people revert back to the relaxer because they don’t know how to style their hair.”
Ledsinger believes that when returning to her roots, she learned spiritual and personal lessons of acceptance. She knows that being natural isn’t for everyone nor will their experience be similar to hers, but she and Barker hope that people will come out and get to the root of what having natural hair is all about.
“I think this is a great opportunity for Indianapolis. I believe natural hair is a movement and more and more people are coming back to the natural hair and styles,” said Barker.
