When you start thinking about transitioning your hair to your natural curls you should stop chemically treating your hair, be it relaxing or dying. The more damaged your hair is, the more likely it is to break and inhibit growth. Here’s everything you need to know before transitioning to natural hair, to make your transition out of relaxer as painless as possible.
Be gentle and patient with your hair—and yourself
The point where your natural texture meets your straight hair (it’s called the line of demarcation) is THE weakest part of your hair. Take your time when you detangle and style your hair so as to avoid breakage here.
You still need regular trims and haircuts
Hair grows an average of a quarter- to a half-inch per month, so getting the same amount trimmed off your processed ends will help you maintain your length while making room for your natural texture to come through.
You don’t have to do the “big chop”
It’s up to you which road you take, as long as you keep your new growth deeply moisturized. Remember, if you choose to transition your hair, your strands will essentially be two different textures. Opt for protein-rich and moisture-packed hair treatments that’ll protect your strands and prevent breakage. Wearing your hair in protective styles can also help mask the demarcation line of your new grow-out.
The right tools will make all the difference
Detangling brushes! Wide-tooth combs! Silk bonnets! Arming yourself with the best tools at the onset will save you headaches down the line.
Experiment with protective styles—carefully
The goal with protective hairstyles is to minimize manipulation and keep your hair in a single state that won’t cause any further damage. Aim for your at-home protective styles to last a week and for professional-grade wig or braid installations to last about three months at most
Get used to deep conditioning
Hair masks are no longer a special treat! Naturally curly hair usually doesn’t lack protein, so stick with deep moisturizing treatments.
Wind down your heat usage
No need for a blow dryer or flat iron any more. Try air drying all of your styles instead.
