Welcome back to Behind the Chair — the ratchet, real, and raw podcast where two Atlanta stylists keep it all the way 100 about Black hair.

I’m Denise — 16 years behind the chair.

I’m Jada — 7 years in. I do natural hair and locs, that’s it. No wigs, no weave, no lace. Just what grow from your scalp.

This week: Protective styles that ain’t protecting. Braids, twists, knotless, faux locs, crochet — they’re supposed to give your hair a break. But if your edges gone, your scalp bald, and your ends burnt off? That style ain’t protecting nothing.

We’re breaking down:

• Tension = hair loss — if it hurts, it’s too tight. Pain means your hair is getting pulled out the root.

• Too long is wrong — 6-8 weeks max. After that it’s neglect, not protection.

• Dirty hair don’t grow — you still gotta wash your scalp in braids. Every 2 weeks.

• The take down — this is where most damage happens. Stop ripping. Use your fingers FIRST to break up buildup, then a wide tooth comb. Then shampoo THREE times.

• Boiling water is cooking your ends — 212°F is hot enough to crack the outside layer of your hair, make it dry, and cause it to split. Keep YOUR hair out the hot water. It don’t need to be “sealed.”

• Locs + braids = danger — adding braiding hair on top of locs doubles the weight and pulls your roots thin. It traps dirt and causes breakage. You can be versatile with locs, but skip the styles braiders push just ‘cause it’s pretty. They got paid. You got thin locs.

The science, simple: Your hair grows from a hole in your scalp. Pull it too much, too long, and that hole gives up. Once it scars, the hair ain’t coming back. That’s traction alopecia. And heat breaks down the protein in your hair — that’s why boiling water makes ends snap.

Product of the Week: KeraCare Dry & Itchy Scalp Glossifier for your scalp in braids, and Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Detangling Leave-In for take downs.

Behind the Chair: Protect your crown. Pour up, press play, and don’t touch your roots till we talk.

Follow us: @BehindTheChairPod

Got a Chair Confession? behindthechairpod@gmail.com

Leave us a 5-star review — we might read yours next week.

Welcome back to Behind the Chair — the ratchet, real, and raw podcast where two Atlanta stylists keep it all the way 100 about Black hair.

I’m Denise — 16 years behind the chair.

I’m Jada — 7 years in. We both specialize in natural hair + locs only.

This week: No preview. We teaching. Drugstore ain’t haircare.

We’re naming names — Shea Moisture, Carol’s Daughter, Cantu, Pantene, Suave — and breaking down why the drying alcohols, fake soft coatings, waxes, and buildup are the reason your twist-out don’t last, your silk press poofs up, and your locs won’t retwist.

We didn’t learn that number-letter hair chart in cosmetology school. We learned how to look at your hair and scalp. And we learned that salon brands work — Paul Mitchell, Redken, Wella, Design Essentials, KeraCare, Amika, Matrix, Mizani.

We talk:

• Drying alcohols vs good alcohols

• Why you need to wash your hair THREE times

• How often to wash: natural hair, locs, braids — once a month is too long

• Why locs need to be washed — going months without washing is NOT ok

• Clean scalp = styles that last

• Styling products that actually work and don’t leave white flakes

Product of the Week: Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo — to get rid of drugstore buildup and help fix damaged hair.

Stop blaming your hair. Start checking your products. If it’s $6 for a big bottle at Walmart, it’s probably not for you.

Behind the Chair: Protect your crown. Pour up, press play, and don’t touch your roots till we talk.

Follow us: @BehindTheChairPod

Got a Chair Confession? behindthechairpod@gmail.com

Leave us a 5-star review — we might read yours next week.

Welcome back to Behind the Chair — the ratchet, real, and raw podcast where two Atlanta stylists keep it all the way 100 about Black hair.

I’m Denise — 16 years behind the chair.

I’m Jada — 7 years in, and we both specialize in natural hair + locs only.

We’re back from Premiere Orlando and we kept our promise. This week: The Big Chop Wasn’t A Choice.

When we say “big chop,” most people think of going natural. But we’re talking about when it’s NOT a choice. When it’s damage. Breakage. Health issues. Postpartum. Stress. Medication. When the hair is telling you it’s time, and it hurts.

We break down the science — what happens when elasticity is gone and bonds are broken. The culture — why cutting feels like failure when you’re taught long hair = healthy hair. And the truth — why holding onto damage stresses your scalp more than letting go.

We didn’t learn that number-letter hair chart in cosmetology school. We learned texture, density, porosity, and elasticity. That’s what tells us when it’s time.

This one is emotional. We’re holding space for the grief, the identity shift, and the reset. Because hair grows back. Scalp health is permanent. And sometimes the most caring thing you can do is cut it.

Missed our Premiere Orlando vlogs? Catch the behind-the-scenes on TikTok @behindthechairpod and IG behindthechair.pod.

Plus: Chair Confessions, Review Shoutouts, and Product of the Week: K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask — for clients dealing with damage who need bond repair, not just moisture.

Behind the Chair: Protect your crown. Pour up, press play, and don’t touch your roots till we talk.

Follow us: @BehindTheChairPod

Got a Chair Confession? behindthechairpod2@gmail.com

Leave us a 5-star review — we might read yours next week.