One of my side hustles in college was doing hair. I just love the feeling of helping to enhance the beauty of someone else. I notice how women come in timid and shy, and leave an entirely new person. I would do people’s hair before, in between, and after my classes. Sure enough, it took a toll on my hands. With eczema on my hands, it made it hard for me to continue to do the very thing I loved.
After a long day of doing hair, my hands would be inflamed, itchy, and swollen. Some would suggest that I work using gloves, but everyone who braids knows that you wouldn’t be able to grip the hair. It would just prolong the process. I dreamed that maybe when I came out of college, I could go to cosmetology school and potentially open a salon. That was short-lived when a dermatologist told me that I would not have a successful career in anything that required me to have my hands wet and in a product.
This was obviously a huge disappointment for me, but I continued to do others’ hair anyway. As much as I loved helping women look and feel beautiful, I suffered. Our hair naturally produces oil, and that along with added products would break my hands out. So it was back to the drawing board. I had to really come to an understanding of what my limitations were.
Once I graduated college, I was lost and really didn’t know what I wanted to do. I just know that I liked to help bring out the best in people. You know the saying, “If you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you do better.” I know that I showed up differently in the world when I looked good and felt good. It was hard to find a career path that allowed me to instill that same thought into other people. I realized that I could help people in any profession that I’m in.
My flares can show up in any profession that I decide to stay in, and that’s due to stress. I’ve realized how much stress can affect my skin when I’m overwhelmed. Whether it’s while I’m doing someone’s hair or working a 9-to-5 job, I must prioritize stress management to be successful in whatever I do. I’m honest with myself about my limitations and always listen to my body. If there’s ever a day that feels a little off, I will do my best to love myself a little more.
A thing that helps de-stress me is a long, warm bath. I mean long, like when your fingertips start to turn into little raisins. Once I’m out, I massage myself as if I’m getting a professional massage with all my ointments and lotions. I make myself one of my favorite meals and go to sleep early.
I promise these little things can make a world of a difference for me. I refuse to let work get in the way of my life and skin condition.
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