Posts Tagged ‘transitioning from relaxed to natural’

Debra explains: “I am trying to let my hair go natural and leave all chemicals out of it.  I have not put anything in it for close to three months, but my hair is so hard and brittle that it is falling out.  I do not want to go back to a relaxer.  What can i do?  I am desperate!”

Answer: Debra, although it may seem like it, going natural does not have to be a tedious process.  When I transitioned, I was just in a go-with-the-flow mindset at first.  I had only been relaxing twice a year anyway, so when I stopped relaxing my hair it was not too bad.  At first, I was blending the two textures of my hair by pressing it; but the constant heat on my hair was not what I had envisioned by going natural.

The phase of embracing the natural process did not begin until I discovered forums.  I joined a hair forum, blackhairplanet, and began to do my research.  I started off experimenting with styles, and my hair looked a mess at first; however, I kept working at it until I found my idea of near-perfection.

The hard and brittle hair signifies damage.  Try to use deep conditioning treatments that replenish the moisture into your hair.  Three months of transitioning is still in the early stages, however, you can try treating your “new growth” with some coconut oil to soften it up.

Overall, I would say be patient.  Patience and understanding is a virtue in transitioning.  You have to learn a whole new mindset as your true texture grows out, because natural hair care differs greatly from relaxed hair. Good fortune with your hair care journey!

Transitioning from Relaxed to Natural

Transitioning from relaxed to natural can be one  of the best decisions that you can make for your hair; however, the process is not always easy.  Some decide to transition because of the desire to enjoy the natural curls and coils that they were born with, others are forced to because of the havoc that the relaxer has relinquished on the hair.  Whether you decide to transition for a lifestyle change or if you just decide to do so cold turkey, you can take a few steps to making your journey from relaxed to natural much easier.

Make sure that you have decided to transition to natural, for whatever reason is right for you, and stick to it!  Committing to see the journey through to the end will be a big part of the journey to natural.  There are too many times that we may think that we make decisions to do things and we do not always follow through with them.  Be sure to have plenty of patience and determination in this journey!

Take pride in learning about hair care! Figure out what the right steps are to engage in your healthy hair care journey.  There will be a wealth of information to learn at first, but once you start learning what your hair needs, it will be a real treat!

Have fun with it! Join a forum for support, I got most of my information and support from the blackhairplanet.com forum.  You will find naturals and transitioners on the forums and on YouTube that will have some of the best tips to assist you.  You will have fun meeting new people, making new friends, and learning all there is to know about your hair!

Embrace the true texture of your hair, and experiment with what works for your hair type.  Many hope for soft curls, waves, and coils, but as the old saying goes, you don’t always get what you wish for.  For those that have no idea what your natural texture looks like (from years of relaxing from childhood), do not hesitate to embrace whatever texture the Lord blessed you with.  Trust me, there’s someone out there wishing they had your hair (yes even if it’s the 4a/4b texture like mine)!!!

Remember to take healthy steps to managing the two textures. The hair is very sensitive when it is composed of multiple textures.  The line of demarcation (the point where the relaxed meet the natural hair) is the most fragile point of the strand.  The relaxed hair and natural hair combination may be quite difficult to manage and if one is not careful, it will get a lot more difficult as time progresses.  In order to disguise the difference in textures you must experiment with styles that compliment your features.  You may enjoy styles such as braid outs, twist outs, bantu knot outs, roller sets, and many more styles.  You will not always need to apply heat to conceal the two textures, but when you do, always use the proper techniques including a heat protectant.

Form a regimen that works for you!  This may include low manipulation, washing the hair weekly or bi-weekly, co-washing, etc.  I will give you more information on more in depth tips and techniques to transitioning in style!

Have a great, happy transition everyone!