During Week 2 of cosmetology school, the BASICS class did trash packs on eachother. A trash pack is clarifying shampoo followed by a series of different conditioners that are heated under the hair drying chair.
My partner was this sweet little redhead (given the nickname Ladybug) who I suspected of either meth use or bedbugs. I don't know if it was the scabs and sores that covered her whole body, her erratic behavior, or the ammonia smell, but something was up. As I was shampooing her hair, I discovered that she had a raging case of headlice. She had previously announced that she was embarrassed about her psoriasis and dandruff--just a cover for the real problem. I understand that this can happen to anyone. I remember childhood days spent sitting in the sun with a shower cap full of mayonnaise. This infestation was so severe, there is no way she hadn't seen the bugs or noticed the sores. There is no way. There were so many, there would have been plenty in her hairbrush or shower water. There were old eggs on the hair shaft several inches away from the scalp, which indicates to me that she has probably had headlice for literally years.
I discreetly let an instructor know what was going on and finished shampooing her hair. She was sent home sick a returned a couple of days later, when we were learning eyebrow waxing. I was already doubtful that 2 days was enough to get rid of it. I remembered all of the cleaning and laundry involved from when I was younger. She had been given a short haircut by the instructors. She volunteered to be waxed and everyone gathered around to watch. Suddenly, all of the girls backed away and started whispering to each other. When I asked what was going on (I knew fully well what was going on) I was snubbed. Agh! Those jerks could all tell each other, but it was none of my business? It was the first time I was truly irritated at my classmates. And of course, she hadn't actually addressed the headlice issue. I had asked the instructors if she knew how to get rid of them and they said she said she knew. The girl who asked why so much stuff was made in China said she knew how to get rid of headlice. My doubts were confirmed.
A few weeks later she dropped out of school due to marriage issues. She still showed up for pamper day to get her hair done. And she still had lice. At this point, I couldn't even feel sorry for her anymore. She blamed it on her sister-in-law sleeping on her couch or something lame like that. I hope that someday she is able to own up to and address her health issues before becoming a cosmetologist, otherwise her clients will run screaming. It wasn't her health issues so much as her denial of them that got to me. I'd like to emphasize again that she was very sweet and truly wanted to get along with everyone.
A couple of weeks after that, a classmate said they wanted to trade an eyebrow wax with someone for their level sheet. I offered and she withdrew her offer. I asked why and another girl hesitated for a moment and then said it was because I had been partners with Ladybug. Everyone in the room stopped what they were working on. I actually had to think for a second and then realized everyone thought I had headlice. Oh holy hell was I pissed. I insisted that they were free to check me for headlice and then demanded it. They did and of course found nothing. I've since given up on asking my peers for anything. I'll turn to more advanced students from now on.
All I can say is that people are sad. Sad, and pathetic. Ostracizing you because your partner obviously had *ahem* "issues"? Thats like 3rd grade cooties. Good luck, hun. Hopefully you have someone that isn't permantently stuck in their pre-teen years to spend some time with.
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