Choose a shampoo
Maintaining a clean scalp and hair is the root of healthy hair, after all, that is where the healthy hair we want comes from. You need to choose a shampoo that is great for your natural hair. Most of the shampoos that you used when you had relaxed hair probably had Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or other sulfates as the first ingredients.
This ingredient will certainly clean your natural hair but will strip it leaving it dry and brittle. We don’t want that. So please select a sulfate-free shampoo; most SLS free shampoos will state it on the label. Brands like Shea Moisture and Cantu make great sulfate-free shampoos; they are inexpensive and sold at Target. Of course you should experiment with different brands until you find the one you love.
Familiarize yourself with Cowashing. Cowashing is simply washing your natural hair with a cleansing conditioner instead of a shampoo. This can be a great refresher for you hair in between shampoo sessions. Cowashing adds an extra boost of moisture to your hair.
Condition every time you wash
We all know that our hair needs conditioning however I have to stress it. Conditioning is very important in our healthy hair journey. Using rinse out conditioners, deep conditioners and treatment masks will give us the soft and manageable natural hair that we are striving for.
Having very-well conditioned hair will make your hair stronger and we know that stronger natural hair tends to retain length better and we can see real growth. Also, try to deep condition instead of quick conditioning every time you wash to further strengthen your hair.
Know what is in your conditioner. Water needs to be the very first ingredient and other ingredients to look for are Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Protein, Coconut oil* and Olive oil* just to name a few.
Detangle your hair while its wet and coated in conditioner as this is when your are least likely to suffer breakage. Finding a conditioner that is light and smooth when you apply it on your hair is important. This is what we natural girls call ‘slip’ – when a conditioner makes our hair supple and easy to glide through with a comb or our fingers. Detangle from the ends of your hair working your way up to the root so that you do not cause damage to your hair.
Keep Your Hair Moisturized
Learn how to effectively moisturize and seal your natural hair. Choose water based moisturizers and experiment with the LOC Method. The LOC method is the order in which you moisturize and seal your hair. This means that you first use a liquid moisturizer, followed by an oil and finish with a cream based product. Always sleep with a satin bonnet* or scarf so that your cotton pillows don’t suck the moisture from your hair.
Styling Your Natural hair
Gone are the days when natural hair was only supposed to be braided. You have an array of styles to choose from these days and you can wear your hair any way you choose to. My favorite styles are braid-outs and 3-strand twist-outs. However, we need to be careful when styling our hair so as to not cause damage.
Periodically, I suggest that you wear low manipulation or protective styles where the ends of your hair are protected. The ends of your hair are the oldest and most fragile part of your hair. Protecting your ends will result in longer hair, as you will be retaining length.
Bottom line: Enjoy Your Journey! You did the Big Chop, now you should focus on growing healthy hair.
How was the post big chop phase of your journey? Were you frustrated?
oooh lawd!!!!!!
do you really have to cut all your hair off in order to transition your hair?
No there are plenty of other things that you can do, but if it’s severely damaged that’s the best way to go!
I almost died of insecurity, but a clever stylist reminded me of patience how many years later you reap the rewards. Bed decision to stop using relaxers my hair is always thicker without!
No you can transition but you have to contend with styling two textures that way. I transitioned for a few months then when it was grown out maybe 2-3″ I cut relaxer off
Face on it! Haha look beautiful still
I rocked my BC. Hated having to deal with the 2 textures and I wasn’t gonna put heat to my precious new growth….lol!
I was frustrated at times but and anxious. But happy in the end. I love my hair more than ever
I just cut my relaxer off. I did the big chop like three years ago and I said I’d never go through that again!
Ughhhh!!!! Ladies I wanna try this soooooo bad!! My hair gets really crimp wavy when new growth is growing in 🙁 i wanna stop relaxers so bad but when I go a long time without it …I run & throw one in..I keep my hair wrapped…I do it myself… but its nervously in me to try and go natural.. I don’t know how to start
@Donna Gandy Hi, Donna. I want to encourage you to give it a try. Start by throwing away all of the relaxer kits you have at home. Then, I want you to do some research on Google. Look up all of the health problems that can be caused by chemicals in relaxers. Also, look up all the damage that can happen to your hair with chemical relaxers. This might help give you motivation. I know there are some people who try and argue otherwise, but if you focus on improving your health, I think you will want to be natural. Start learning about healthy eating and exercise, if you haven’t already. Watch Youtube videos by people who strive for a healthier lifestyle. That way, if you decide to go natural, you’ll be motivated to stay natural for your health and well-being, not just for long/thick hair. Be blessed on your journey.
I’m ok with the cut but what’s going on with the brows? Thicken then jokers up!
Don’t be discouraged. <3 your hair right where it is and take care of it! Keeping it moisturized is key. Find oils that your hair loves. It's sooo worth it. I'll never ever EVER perm my hair again!
I consider this a big chop or having it like a twa,instead cutting you hair and saying it’s a big chop,that’s hair cut or you just chop some of the length off.Women get me by saying that ,but to each their own if they consider cutting their hair as a big chop.#IJS #JMHO
Major pass. I can deal with being a long term transitioner.. But I would never wear a twa.
i wore extension braids so i hardly ever saw it
I actually enjoyed mine. Learning of my new texture! As it grows then u dnt know how to style it !!
Back was good but what to do with my hair now that it’s pass that first phase
I loved my tea
I fell in love with it instantly
Patience.
Fall in love with your face the one you may have hidden behind your hair.
If You want to dramatically increase your growth rate, this stuff is the TRUTH!! http://www.walkernutritionalsciences.com
I called myself going natural in 2008 and as it grew I almost dreaded it because unlike my relaxed hair I didn’t know what to do with it. I was going to keep it cut short but began to miss my hair so I let it grow back out but like I stated I didn’t know what to do with it. I didn’t know how to style it or anything. I started with box braids and cornrows but got frustrated and relaxed it. Now I am doing it all over again but this time I just cut the relaxed hair off but I still don’t know what to really do with it. Everyday I have to wet it apply and then I apply cantu leave in condition and seal it with an oil. Any other ideas. It’s still all new to me. I will only be posting pictures of my journey on my facebook page, it would be nice to have other naturals insight on what to do or even how to begin.
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