How Do You Transition From Relaxed To Natural Hair?

Transitioning from relaxed to natural hair is both a turning point and a rewarding journey. It allows you to embrace the natural beauty and texture of your hair. This simple guide will walk you through the key changes you need to make, with essential tips and common challenges you are likely to face.

Essential Tips for a Successful Transition

A successful transition to natural hair depends on consistency and commitment. Once you decide to start a natural hair journey, you now need to be committed and patient with your hair. Here are the most important tips to get started:

1. Establish a Consistent Hair Care Routine

A consistent hair care routine is the foundation of a successful transition. It allows your hair to grow, minimizes breakage, and allows you to achieve a flourishing natural texture. Depending on your hair type, the most important aspects of a hair care routine include cleansing, conditioning, moisturizing and sealing, styling, and protection.

2. Deep Condition Regularly

Transitioning hair is very fragile, and is most compromised at the point where new growth meets the previously straightened strands. This area needs to be treated with extra care by deep conditioning regularly, such as weekly. Keeping the hair moisturized protects it from drying out and breakage.

3. Minimize Heat Usage

When transitioning from related to natural hair, cut back on heat styling. Although you may still want to maintain a straight look until you get enough growth to wear curly hair, heat can dry out your hair and make it more prone to breakage. The heat from styling tools also compromises the state and pattern that your new curls are growing into. They may look heat-damaged, stretched out, and warped, which could be frustrating in your natural hair journey.

4. Protective Styling

Map out your protective styling options during the transitioning phase. You could start with box braids for a few months, followed by flexi-rod sets or any other style for another couple of weeks. With a clear set of options, you can easily schedule how you will switch up options, allowing your hair to breathe and go untouched as the curls grow underneath.

5. Regular Trims

For the health of your budding curls, you need to trim your hair regularly. This does not necessarily mean a big chop or a buzz cut, but gradually trimming the ends of your hair every six to eight weeks to help speed up the process. Regular trims also help to keep the fragile strands from breaking during the transition from being straightened by chemicals.

Managing the Line of Demarcation

Using the wrong products, such as sulfate shampoos and conditioners or alcohol-based stylers, can prolong your transition process. These products strip off your hair’s natural moisture, making it dry and a target for breakage. You also need to avoid protein treatments, which are not moisturizing and could be counterproductive to the transitioning journey.

As you transition to natural hair, shift to moisturizing formulas like sulfate-free shampoo and moisturizing hair conditioners. Also be sure to replenish moisture often with the LOC method (liquid/leave-in conditioner, oils, creams), focusing your hydration on the demarcation point where your new growth meets relaxed hair.

Embracing Your Natural Texture

Transitioning from relaxed to natural hair allows you to discover and celebrate your unique texture. Learn to love your natural texture and the best way to care for it. For instance, type 4 hair is fragile and requires extra moisture and protection. As you embrace your texture, you also learn not to compare your hair to others. You become more focused on learning how to care for your own and finding styles that make you feel confident and beautiful.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Transitioning from relaxed to natural hair is a beautiful journey of self-recovery. However, it comes with several challenges, from dealing with two textures to handling negative feedback.

Dealing with Two Textures

The major challenge of the transition is dealing with two distinct textures. With relaxed hair being different from new natural growth, you may experience increased tangles and styling difficulties. The line of demarcation is particularly more vulnerable to breakage and requires extra care. Wearing protective styles such as braids and bantu knots can help blend the two textures, reducing manipulation and risk of breakage. Also make sure that both textures are well hydrated, paying extra attention to the line of demarcation.

Managing Breakage

The hair shaft is weaker during the transition, which makes it more prone to breakage. Lack of proper care, over-manipulation, or use of heat-styling tools can make the breakage worse. To protect your hair, deep condition regularly, minimize heat styling, wear a satin bonnet or scarf when sleeping at night, and pay attention to how your hair feels and responds to different products.

Handling Negative Feedback

Although embarking on a natural journey is a personal choice, you may encounter negative opinions or comments, even from people closest to you. Some may not understand why you chose to go natural while others may miss your old hairstyle. To address their concerns, politely explain your reasons for transitioning and learn to embrace your natural beauty. Consider joining online communities of natural hair enthusiasts and choose to remain positive with the journey.

Conclusion

Transitioning from relaxed to natural hair is a unique experience that requires patience and dedication. After all, it is called a natural hair journey for a reason. Remember, everyone’s hair grows at its own pace, and a method or product that worked from someone else may not work on you. Being patient and dedicated will reward your journey with healthy, juicy curls and coils worth the wait.