Transitioning to Natural Hair- Tips, Basics & Essential Information

Transitioning To Natural Hair

This post is past overdue I know. 😀
Most of you wonderful readers of my blog are currently transitioning to natural hair and are in dire need of a lot of help to understand what is going on so hopefully today I can help you know a little more and also what to expect. Also, just in case you don’t know, I transitioned for 7 months before cutting off my relaxed ends. You can read more of my hair story here.

The FACTS

Before you decide to transition to natural hair or even big chop all your hair off, you should to be MENTALLY PREPARED.

This is because taking care of your natural hair is like learning something completely new about your body. 

There will be very bad hair days and there will be awesome hair days once you begin to learn.

Regardless, you need to accept that growing out natural healthy hair is a journey and won’t be achieved overnight.

Another important fact is, relaxed hair or chemically treated hair CANNOT transform into natural hair.

Once, your hair texture has been chemically altered, it cannot be reversed so don’t let anyone brainwash you into thinking so.

How Long Should You Transition?
The length of time you choose to transition depends entirely on you. Whenever you feel comfortable to cut off your relaxed ends, do so. Just do it at your own time.

What to Expect
* You will have two different hair textures on your head.

Your natural hair will be full and curly and your relaxed hair will be scanty and scraggly but you can blend both easily by doing protective styles or curly hair styles.

* Your relaxed hair might be breaking a lot. Managing 2 different textures is not easy.

You’ll need to find good products that work for both textures of hair as natural hair is inclined to moisture from deep conditioners while relaxed hair needs to be strengthened with protein conditioners.

* Also, because of how prone to breakage your relaxed ends will be, style your hair when damp than when dry as water softens new growth and makes it easier to style.

You can view some of my HAIR STYLES here.

What To Do (Tips)
1. Do NOT pile your whole hair together while washing it because it will cause tangles and knots. Rather, section your hair (with sectioning clips) or twist your hair in parts to wash.
2. Use a wide tooth comb. A wide tooth comb does not pull on natural hair and helps with detangling.
3. Practise Detangling with your fingers. Our fingers are the best tools to use when detangling because you can actually feel the knots and tangles in your natural hair, (unlike hair tools that may rip out your hair), and release them gently without causing breakage.
4. Deep Condition every time you wash. Deep conditioners strengthen, hydrate and intensely moisturizes your natural hair so try not to skip this step on wash day.
5. Embrace your hair texture/curl pattern whatever it turns out to be. It’s natural to compare our hair textures to the beauties online but don’t get caught up with it. EVERY NATURAL HAIR TEXTURE IS BEAUTIFUL so embrace whatever curl pattern comes out of your scalp.

You can find more hair care tips here.

Types of Products you Need

• Moisturizing Shampoo
• A good Deep Conditioner (which has protein and moisture qualities) or you can buy 2 separate conditioners that do one of each.
• Apple Cider Vinegar (Braggs is the best brand)
• A Leave-in conditioner with good slippery qualities to help with detangling.
• A hair moisturizer with water as the first ingredient and,
• Oil to seal all the moisture in.

For specific brand names, have a look at my staples to guide you here.

Sample Regimen
You can choose to wash your hair, once a week, once in 2 weeks, or once a month. This entirely depends on you and what suits your lifestyle.
However, what you do when you do wash your hair is imperative. Following the tips above,

• Use a little of the moisturizing Shampoo on your scalp and let the lather wash the length of your hair.
• Next, apply a Conditioner on your hair while focusing on the ends.
• When you are done, pour the diluted apple cider vinegar while your hair is under cold/cool running water.
• Then squeeze out the excess water with your fingers and use a t-shirt to tie up your hair.
• While your hair is still damp, apply your leave-in conditioner, hair moisturizer and oil to style.

For more examples of my regimen and wash-days, you can click on the posts Wash Day Diary, Are you washing your Natural Hair Correctly? and My Regimen*

If you feel your hair is not growing after a while, read the posts This is Why Your Natural Hair is NOT Growing and 25 Tips & Tricks for Growing and Maintaining Natural Hair, to find out what you might be doing wrong.

I hope this helps!

You can find me on YouTube below;

and if you would like to work with me or be my client, email me at igbocurls@gmail.com and also click on this link Work with Me to see how.

Stay blessed!

Chinwe Juliet