There are two kinds of women out there – those that are willing to big chop, and those who aren’t. I definitely wasn’t willing to big chop when I first began my natural hair journey and wound up transitioning for a year and three months.
If you decide that the big chop is not for you, then you wind up going through what’s known as a transitioning period.
Transitioning simply means that you’re growing out your natural hair while still maintaining your relaxed or damaged hair.
Transitioning can seem a little hard at first (at least, I know it was for me) but with these tips your transitioning period should pass without a problem.
Limit heat use
Since the relaxed or heat damaged hair is permanently straight, some of us may think that the easiest way to blend the two textures is to use heat on the natural hair as well. However, using heat can be counterproductive, because too much heat will only damage the new growth as well!
Instead of using heat, try other styles that can blend the two textures. Since the relaxed ends won’t curl on their own (I literally had to learn that from experience) you can do bantu knots and flexi or perm rod sets. Your hair will be more moisturized and you can start practicing your favorite styles for when you’re fully natural.
If you do decide to use heat on your hair, don’t make it an everyday thing and take some precautions. Try stretching your hair beforehand to avoid using a blow dryer*, and ALWAYS use heat protectant*.
Beware of the line of demarcation
The line of demarcation is the area where the relaxed and natural hair meet. It’s very fragile, and hair can snap off at this point for a few reasons. Avoid harsh detangling; try finger detangling instead to gently manage your hair. Don’t pull on your hair too harshly and treat this part of your hair well as you get further into your journey.
Don’t try to care for your relaxed hair more while transitioning. This will only limit the health of your natural hair. Use products for natural hair and don’t fall back into trying to blend natural hair with relaxed. Wash and style your hair in sections so that you aren’t grabbing your hair too harshly, causing the ends to snap off.
Thanks!
I should have done more research. I thought I “Had” to “Big Chop”
Lovelove
Every month I chopped some of the perm off as my hair grew..it was easier that way for me.
the part in the middle pic looks like more of a patch :/
Yes it does, possibly caused by weave tracks or such. But the pic does not take away from the fact that she grew out her relaxer! 🙂
absolutely!
Noo, you didn’t have to BC. I tell people all the time to slowly remove those ends over time and wear protective blended styles… No worries though, hair grows back. Be patient!! 🙂
7 months now & yes it is growing nicely
I wore braids to help with the transition. And after about 1 year my hair was all natural
I’m doing a long term transition. I usually wear braids and trim my hair every three months and cut at least an inch of my relaxed hair off. I’m close to having all the relaxed hair gone.
I definitely didn’t BC was scared lol. I went from bsl to now above my shoulders i clip my hair once before i started seeing stringy ends. Its bug full and beautiful and I love it! !!
I went from bsl to above my shoulders, it was too much hassel dealing with 2 different textures (natural hair likes a product relaxed hair doesn’t ) my hair is big fluffy and i love it