The Transition From Relaxed To Natural Tresses
August 24th, 2009
Making the Transition from Relaxed to Natural Tresses
I know you have thought about it. Taunted and drawn to the waves and bends near your scalp called new growth. “ I wonder what it would be like if IŔ but you abandon the thought and run back to the salon, or cousin or whoever and get your fix of that smooth, white powder, I mean cream. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no anti-perm Nazi, but I do believe that relaxers are not the only way black women can wear their hair. It might be hard in the beginning to say goodbye to your relaxed hair and hello to your beautiful natural hair, but it’s worth it and you can do, it you can kick the habit! Check into chemical rehab!
Some of you have been relaxing your hair all of your adult life and have not seen your natural texture since childhood. Some of you may be relapsers (like I was) and need encouragement. Either way it is understandable one could have questions, concerns and even doubts. The purpose of this article is to provide the mental ammunition necessary to embrace your hair with confidence. I will cover ways to begin, things to expect, tools necessary and resources to provide you with info further down the line. Let’s begin.
Ways To Do It
In going natural the first thing you need to do is remove the relaxed hair. It boils down to two options: growing out some natural hair and cutting out the relaxed hair gradually (this is called transitioning) or more dramatically you can chop off all the relaxed hair all at once (which is what I ended up doing). With everything there are pros and cons. Let’s explore what they are for transitioning.
Pros of Transitioning
There is no dramatic change in self-image, such as not having hair.
Because it is a gradual change you can get familiar with the natural hair and have time to adjust to the new texture
If you transition long enough, you can begin with a good length of natural hair that will allow more styling options and make the transition with not much notice to bystanders.
Cons of Transitioning
It can be very difficult to handle two different textures on one head; the meeting point of the two textures is a prime spot for breakage.
Since it is difficult to deal with the two textures and the majority of your length is relaxed hair, it will be very tempting to get a touch-up and thus it taking a long time before you are 100% natural.
Now let’s look at the pros and cons of chopping it off all at once.
Pros of Chopping
You are 100% natural instantly
You have very easy hair styling for the first few months
It’s easier to avoid the temptation of getting a relaxer.
Cons of Chopping
Having really short hair all of sudden may negatively impact your self-image.
There are very few styling options until your hair grows longer.
What To Expect
You could say that there are phases that one goes through when first being introduced to their natural hair. Some of these may be negative but most of them are positive. Knowing what to expect can dramatically reduce anxiety and hopefully this information will prevent relapsing into another relaxer.
Obsession
One of the first things you may encounter is an obsession with your hair. Magazines, websites, books, friends, anything you can get your hands to learn more will become your best friend. To aid in this obsession I have included resources to explore at the end of the article.
Frustration –and how to avoid it
Next is frustration. Some days you will be so happy that you made the decision to go natural, but other days you will wake up and wish you were just parting your wrap instead of combing out an afro. Frustration is more likely to occur for those that are transitioning, simply because of the difficulty of having two textures to deal with. There are things you can do to cope with having two textures and the comb-out process.
Never comb your hair when it is dry. Two textures at once is hard enough but combing while dry only increases the stress on the fine border between the relaxed and unrelaxed hair.
Use a good oil-based hair lotion or moisturizer. When you comb your hair you want it to be easy with no tugging. Hair lotion makes it easier to comb and helps to reduce tangles.
Always comb from the ends up. When combing begin detangling at the ends and gradually work your way up rather than raking the comb from root to end; this prevents unnecessary pulling. And finally,
Have a routine. In my own personal experience I found I was much calmer in the morning if I had a routine. At night I would wet my hair a little, add my moisturizer and comb out my hair from tip to scalp using my wide toothed comb. I would then braid it in two inverted cornrows and tie it up with a non-cotton scarf. In the morning I would either wear my cornrows or take them down and enjoy my manageable hair! Your routine may be slightly different but the important thing is that you have one that includes moisturizing and detangling.
Even if you get frustrated, do not give up. Remember how satisfying it will be to comb thru your lustrous, thick, Rudy Huxtable mane.
Freedom
While you may get frustrated sometimes you can also expect to enjoy a great deal of freedom. That is freedom in styling options, washing your hair more often, and with that enjoying more outdoors activities regardless of the weather. With your natural hair there are many elegant styles to experiment with, such as two-strand twists, large French braids, and gorgeous buns displaying your wavy texture in the front. The styles don’t end there. There’s afros, ponytails, flat twists, braid-outs and whatever else you create.
Your natural hair can get rained on and you don’t need to be bothered because hair needs moisture and you are not trying to maintain an unnatural texture.
Self-Discovery
Lastly one of the most phenomenal things you can expect, if you seek it, is self-discovery. Many times women learn how to care for their own hair without a stylist when going natural. Your confidence in your self will grow because you discover that you can do it. After many years of someone else caring for your hair it is possible to feel helpless or uninvolved with it, but once you do become involved it is absolutely empowering. You can take care of your own hair and grow it long if that is what you desire. You can make yourself beautiful with your own God-given hair. Even if you go to a stylist, you can further appreciate that it is ultimately you that is control of your hair. A stylist can help with professional services such as coloring or cutting but you can decide when you want to go and if your hair is ready for such a service. The responsibility and power is in your hands.
By: Kathryn Tyler
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