Although switching from relaxers to natural hair is difficult, many people have done it for a very long time. The most crucial thing for you to realize and come to terms with is that consistency, dedication, and patience will be required.
Start without hesitation; the way your natural hair looks and feels will be well worth the effort. I am here to offer you advice on going natural and to support you every step of the journey. I have assisted numerous ladies in embracing their natural hair texture.
1. Big Chop or Not?
From relaxed or chemically treated hair to natural hair, there are two methods to go. The first step is to make a large incision, or to slice off everything. The second is to let your natural hair grow out from underneath and to quit chemically straightening or relaxing your hair.
Should you decide to go with the major chop, it will only take you a few minutes to move from transitioning to fully natural hair. Contemporary TWA hairstyles are the easiest method to transition to natural hair and look amazing. Because you have to emotionally distance yourself from how long your hair is today, it is also the hardest mentally. By the way, you still need to mentally prepare yourself because it will take some time for your natural curls to shape up if you want to keep your length when growing out the perm.
2. Cut as Necessary
Cutting is important for the health of your hair throughout a transition, even if you desire to keep some length. This does not entail a buzz cut or huge chop; instead, you must periodically and gently clip the ends of your hair (every six to eight weeks is recommended). This keeps your delicate strands from breaking during the transition period and helps to accelerate the growing process for natural hair.
3. Deep Condition Your Hair Often
The “demarcation line,” or the junction of newly growing hair and previously straightened strands, is where transitioning hair is most vulnerable. As a result, you must handle that subject carefully.
A weekly deep conditioning mask application and steaming are two ways to prevent breakage in transitioning hair. The option from Thank God It’s Natural is excellent, and the name of the company inspires you greatly without hastening the shift.
4. Reduce Heat Styling
It goes beyond simply giving your hair more frequent deep conditioning. Cutting back on the amount of heat you use to style your hair is also crucial. Try to avoid using heat styling at all costs. Heating appliances have a tendency to dry out hair and break it. Furthermore, breaking already weakened hair is the last thing you want to do when going through a transformation.
5. Go for Protective Styles
It’s best to refrain from combing your hair too much or too frequently when you’re transitioning. Because of this, wearing protective styles is an excellent way to grow out your relaxer. You can choose to wear box braids for a few months, followed by a couple of weeks of weaving. Broadly speaking, the idea is to reduce friction and stress so that your hair can breathe.
No matter what kind of protective style you choose, one piece of advice is to avoid tense areas like your hairline, temples, and nape of the head. Your aim is gorgeous, transitioning hair that doesn’t eventually have any issues with thinning edges.
6. Don’t Be Alarmed at the Shedding
It’s better to be mentally ready for the fact that your old hair will naturally shed as your new hair grows in. The old hair must vanish because the objective is to have a complete head of healthy natural hair. Hair will fall out when you take out a protective style, even if you choose that option. This is normal and should not be concerning. The only reason to be concerned is if you are losing so much hair every day that the clumps are the size of golf balls.
7. Use the Right Hair Products
Using the incorrect products is one thing that makes the hair transition process take longer. For natural hair, it is crucial that you use hydrating hair conditioners and shampoos without sulfates. Steer clear of drying products like sulfate shampoos and conditioners and stylers with alcohol content.
8. Make Sure Your Scalp is Healthy
Prioritizing the health of the scalp during a change is crucial. Include a thorough scalp massage in your wash day regimen to ensure that there is no product build-up or flaking in your scalp and hair follicles. Enhancing the health of your scalp might accelerate hair growth.
9. Detangle Carefully
The correct hair products and avoiding heat styling are just as crucial as how you brush and comb your transitioning hair. It’s imperative that you detangle and style without using fine-tooth combs. Instead, brush your hair from the ends to the roots with a wide-tooth comb, and try to avoid combing it when it’s damp.
10. Keep Your Hair Moisturized
The need of moisture for all types of hair cannot be overstated, but it is especially important for hair that is transitioning. The most crucial thing you can do for your hair to preserve the suppleness needed to retain fragile curls growing is probably to moisturize it. You should always moisturize your hair because when your natural curls grow in, it could be more difficult for the natural oils from your scalp to get down the hair shaft and your hair might dry out.
Whether you go for a dramatic chop or grow out your relaxed hair, you’ll need patience during this change. Depending on how long it generally takes for your hair to grow and how well you take care of it throughout the transition, it should take at least three to four months before you start to notice any noticeable changes. You must maintain consistency in your efforts, be patient with your hair, and be dedicated to the process throughout.