Aside from my pre-teen years, I’ve always had chemically processed hair. I once had a jheri curl and from there, I moved to having relaxed hair. For over 20 years, my hair remained relaxed. I knew I wanted to transition to natural hair at some point, I just didn’t know when that would be. Through a series of events, that moment happened sooner than later and I’m now 2 years post relaxer! I have learned a lot on this long-term transitioning journey. Below are some of my learning points of what I experienced while transitioning to natural hair:
Natural Hair Isn’t as Difficult as I Once Thought
Before my experience with transitioning to natural hair, I would have argued my new growth (natural hair) was dry, coarse and unmanageable. Actually, it’s the total opposite. It’s soft, detangles with ease and manageable.
The More Natural Hair that Grows In, the Easier it Becomes
I remember when I use to rush to the salon to get my hair relaxed when I would see two seconds of new growth. Now that I’m 2 years post relaxer, I realize things get easier and easier as time goes on.
My Curl Pattern Didn’t Form Until Removing the Relaxed Ends
I think back to when I had new growth, it seemed very, very kinky. Now that I’m fully natural in my nape, the curl pattern has formed and the curls are very springy and coily and not as kinky as I once imagined.
My Hair Grows at Different Rates
Now that I’m 2 years post relaxer, it would be really cool to celebrate this transition to natural hair with a big chop. However, my bang and parts of my crown are either slow-growing or maybe even tighter textured. Whatever the case, the amount of natural hair in these sections are shorter than what I have in other areas. This means, I have a lot of relaxed hair left in these areas.
Many Products and Techniques Are Universal
I always used natural hair products and techniques on my relaxed hair. Many believe you cannot treat the two the same. Now that I’m in a good place where I can assess this theory, I still believe many products and techniques are universal. In fact, my regimen has not changed much since I officially started transitioning to natural hair.
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Natural Hair Products Are Not Necessarily the Best
I’ve gone back and forth and debated whether natural hair products were worth the money or is it all hype? Don’t get me wrong, there are some great natural hair products on the market that I love and will forever buy but over the counter works great too. Best of all, it comes with a return policy!
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I Wanted to Quit
I have quit transitioning more times than I can count. But, when I would look at how far I’ve come, I refused to turn back. I’m glad I stuck it out and this is almost over.
I Eventually Stop Caring
I use to care about the amount of breakage I see on wash day. Now, I’m at a point where I don’t really care. I mean, I do but then again I don’t. The relaxed hair will be removed at some point soon so I’m just like whatever when I see a piece of broken relaxed hair.
Achieving Auto Pilot Status is Sweet Victory
About a year into my natural hair transition, I reach an auto pilot status where just about anything I would do to my hair worked. Just about any product I used worked. Clearly, my natural hair is far more forgiving than my relaxed hair. It gives me the freedom to whatever I want, whenever I want without much fuss.
Natural Hair Doesn’t Have to Appear Dull and Dry
While transitioning to natural hair, my appeared dull and dry. I hated that look and none of my research provided solid recommendations for how to correct it. I then stumbled upon the right solution for my hair – hydration and production combination. Now that I’m washing my hair weekly, my hair is hydrated, thus my curls are properly forming. In addition, I’m now using product combinations that works well for my hair. Those two things took my hair from dull and dry to shiny and hydrated.
Additional Expectations While Transitioning to Natural Hair
- Have patience or you will fail straight out the gate.
- You may have to revise your regimen a million times until you find what works.
- Don’t be afraid to use commercial products — they work great and may be what your hair need!
- Don’t be afraid to use sulfate shampoo! It removes product buildup which is necessary.
- Your current products may or may not work. Don’t be afraid to change and try something new.
- You have to be willing to part with the relaxed hair at some point.
- Wash days will be long and draining if you choose to long-term transition.
- People will encourage you to cut off your relaxed hair but do it when you’re ready.
- People may question your decision to transition to natural hair but be confident in your decision.
- Transitioning to natural hair can be fun and it’s totally what you make it.
- Last but not least, have no fear, you can always relax your hair if transitioning to natural hair doesn’t work out.
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What’s Next?
I hope I get a good growth spurt soon so I can remove the rest of the relaxed hair without anxiety. I would love to end this transition when I have a nice bob. And so the transition to natural hair continues…
I can alway count on you to be detailed. Saving this for when i decide to transtition.
Tomes Edition recently posted…Is a Hair Trim The Same As A Hair Cut….
Thank you, T! You know I got you. Just let me know when.
Love these tips, Jay!
Thank you, Kim! 🙂
You have a very nice detailed blog so far I’m 8 weeks post relaxer and never thought I could do that. My hair is short but I want to make sure I strengthen my hair it breaks so easy and I’ve been making sure I find the right combination of products to use
Hi Tabitha, thank you so much. Congrats on making it to 8 weeks post. How long would you like to stretch your relaxer? Why do you feel it’s breaking?
YASSSSSSSSS to almost everything for me word for word! I stopped caring about breakage especially, I was like some ppl successfully long term transition without breakage, but not me and that’s okay! Also, being on autopilot. I used the same products nearly my entire transition. The only thing I didn’t do was use too many commercial products, I do try to buy Black as often as I possibly can and I can be a bit of an ingredient snob, lol!
EbonyCPrincess recently posted…Natural Hair Updo | Braids, Twists & Curls!
Did you ever experience stalled growth as you were transitioning?
So true! At 14 months post relaxer, I wish i can stop caring about the relaxed hair that breaks off. My nape is completely natural too and I definitely love the curls
Joie recently posted…Measuring my Current Hair Length (Photos)
Congrats on making it to 14 months post. That’s awesome. You’ll get to a point where you will not care. Trust me. You will.
Love love love your tips! I’m going through the same…although I recently decided to cut the sleek ends and will try out braids again pretty soon. I love experimenting with different products too…never tried non-sulfate shampoo but will give it a shot. And all those natural product use i believe is partially a hype as well. I’m just trying to figure out the best regimen for my hair…after all..I know it the best. Now that I’ve cut some parts of my ends I’ve decided not to trim it for the coming 2 years.let’s see if I manage to pull that off lol. Anyways great post. XO Jey
Congrats for being courageous to cut the ends. Was it a hard decision to make? I will cut the rest of mine toward the end of this year or maybe the early part of next year. That’s my plan anyway. We’ll see if that really happens. :0) How far along are you in the transition?
The front of my hair, my bangs grow slower than the rest of my hair as well. I think it grows half as slow, actually. That part of my hair has always been looser (about 3c) so its not the curl pattern.
I never knew my hair grew at such varying rates. It’s starting to make since now where my relaxed hair would always take on this weird shape. I always thought it was due to breakage.