When it comes to beauty and haircare, individual preferences differ. Some prefer sleek, easy-to-comb relaxed hair, while others opt for curly or nappy natural hair. The only difference between relaxed and natural hair is that relaxed hair, as the name implies, is made possible through the use of relaxers. Natural hair, on the other hand, is hair that hasn’t been straightened using a relaxer.
The number of people transitioning to either type of hair keeps increasing daily, but the predominant reason most people transition to natural hair is either to switch up their look or to enjoy the full and curly texture that going natural brings.
The Big Chop vs. Grow Out
When transitioning, you can decide to take a trip to the barber and have them chop off the relaxed parts of your hair, leaving just the root (kind of like a fresh start). Of course, this may mean going from long hair to short hair instantly.
However, if you are not up for the bold move of the ‘big chop,’ you can go the ‘grow out’ route, where you quit relaxing your hair and let it grow out. When it gets to a comfortable length, you can then trim off the relaxed ends. Whichever transition route you’re opting for, here are some helpful tips as you embark on your journey.
Make Natural Oils Your Best Friend: The secret to long, healthy hair is using natural oils packed with vitamins and nutrients that will strengthen your hair from root to tip. Oils such as jojoba oil, coconut oil, rosemary oil, tea tree oil etc., offer tremendous nourishment to your hair from the root to tip.
Stay Far Away from Heat: Heat causes more harm than good to your hair. Many people make the mistake of heat-stretching their natural hair without any heat protectant. While heat protectant is advisable, as it offers some form of protection, engaging in heat-stretching very often can lead to weak and brittle hair, which will, in turn, lead to hair falling out.
Wide Tooth Combs Are the Truth: Natural hair isn’t easy to comb. Most people (usually those with soft, curly hair) just detangle their hair without combing to minimize hair fall and help their hair gain length. If you must comb your hair, ensure you detangle it first, then comb gently using a wide-tooth comb.
Beware of Tight Protective Styles: Tight protective hairstyles can take a toll on your edges and cause them to fall out when you eventually take them down. It’s always better to use the services of a hair salon that specializes in natural hair. They tend to know the rudiments and rules of handling natural hair.
Patience is key: Transitioning to natural hair isn’t an overnight journey; it requires a lot of patience. There will be days when your hair doesn’t seem to cooperate, and you might feel like giving up. If you do everything right, your natural hair will grow to your desired length and more importantly, bounce with healthy elasticity.
Deep condition often: When you deep condition your hair, you prevent it from drying out. Think of deep conditioners as that loving tender care that pushes your hair to look and feel its best. Deep conditioners are best applied at least once a week for the best results. You can add the Elan Detangler and Conditioner to your haircare collection, or you could try mixing some mayonnaise, egg, coconut oil (or any oil of your choice), and a drop of honey to make a quick DIY hair conditioner.
How to Know Your Hair Porosity
In the early stages of your transition to natural hair, you need to know what works and how fast your hair absorbs products and moisture. This will help you know whether to intensify efforts or even look at trying something new. Taking a hair porosity test will help you discover this.
First, get a clean glass of water. Next, take a clean, product-free strand of loose hair and put it in the glass of water. If the hair floats at the top, then it is low porosity; if it sinks slowly or settles in the middle, it is medium or normal porosity; and if it sinks straight to the bottom, then it is high porosity.
High porosity means your hair easily absorbs products and moisture – give it 10–15 minutes and it’s all saturated. Medium or normal porosity means your hair will take a little longer than the higher porosity hair. If your hair has low porosity, it means it will require a longer period for moisture or products to penetrate its cuticles.
Finding the Right Products for Your Hair
Every time you go shopping for natural haircare products, you see hundreds of them sitting pretty on the shelves, and sometimes it can be very difficult to make a choice, but we’re here to make it easier for you:
- Look for products with natural, nourishing ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, aloe vera, and essential oils. Avoid products with sulfates, parabens, silicones, and alcohol, which can strip natural oils and cause dryness. Afrobest Natural was specially formulated for natural hair.
- Natural hair tends to be drier, so opt for products that provide and retain moisture. Look for ingredients like glycerin, honey, and panthenol.
- Take product reviews very seriously, as they help you learn from the experiences of others who have used the products. This helps you avoid wasting money and putting a harmful product into your hair.
- It’s common to want your hair to grow to 12 inches overnight, but it may take a few weeks for you to start seeing visible growth results. That is why you should stick to a consistent haircare routine to monitor how products affect your hair over time.