A BRIEF GUIDE FOR TRANSITIONING

Hello ladies

 

There are more and more of us going back to our natural hair texture.
Going natural is something I support and encourage whole heartedly even though I choose to remain texlaxed.  In my attempt to cater to black hair in all it forms I realised that I needed to pay ladies  who are transitioning some attention.

This blog post will not tell you all you need to know about transitioning…I’ll need a few thousand words to set that out.  This post will highlight  the changes you should expect in your hair as you embark on your transition and give tips that will help you manage your hair during your transition.
Although I am texlaxed and have no intention to transition to natural hair, I have stretched my relaxers for up to 6 months on several occasions so I do have  some experience of how hair changes in the early stages of a transition.

Three main areas  ladies who are transitioning need to be prepared for are:

1)      How your hair changes over the length of your transition

2)      Hair styling during your transition and

3)      Moisture and protein balancing for transitioning hair

 

Weeks 0 to 10 (Two and Half Months Post)

Hair Texture Changes
This stage of a transition is usually the easiest because you will be on familiar ground.  You hair is still predominantly relaxed or texlaxed.   Some new growth will begin to appear however the difference in texture will not be too difficult to manage.

Hair Style Options
You can wear the styles that you normally would, i.e., buns, roller sets and blending it with weaves will be easy , etc.

Moisture- Protein Balance
Relaxed hair needs protein strengthening more regularly than natural hair.  Many ladies will stick to using protein deep conditioner once or twice a month as this stage.

 

 

Weeks 10 to 16 (Four Months Post)

Hair Texture Changes
From 10 onwards your new growth will be quite apparent and managing the difference in textures ( natural new growth and relaxed length) should be your focus.  You have to alter your regimen and have a plan on how you will care for both textures.

The difference in textures can lead to a lot of tangling and your hair might begin to feel really dry especially at the roots.  You will need to detangle your hair more regularly working in smaller sections and increase how regularly you moisturise and seal your hair.

Trimming regularly from this point on your transition can be of great help because ends that are aligned or even tend to tangle less.  This will therefore make your transition more manageable.

 
Hair Style Options
What I always tell ladies who are transitioning or on a long stretch is that you cannot expect hair that has months of new growth to look, feel or behave freshly relaxed hair.

Wearing sleek styles will become more difficult to achieve using the same methods as you did when your hair has no new growth.    Daily combing should be avoided.  It is important at this stage to master finger detangling your hair regularly.  Combing your hair should only be done after thorough finger detangling
Also natural hair is best manipulated when it is damp. At this stage of transitioning, misting or moisturising your new growth before styling will help make your natural new growth more flexible and easier to style.

It is better that you embrace the natural new growth and begin to get used to how it feels and working with it.  Do not try to make the new growth look like relaxed hair by using straightening irons regularly.  The last thing you want to do is end up with heat damaged hair when you eventually big chop.

Styles which help many people get through transitioning are twists outs, braid outs, perm rod sets, straw sets and roller sets.  I call these camouflage styles because they disguise the difference in textures quite well.
Some ladies prefer to begin wearing long term protective styles at this stage such as weaves, braids and wigs as they cut out the need for daily manipulation.

 
Moisture and Protein Balance
Getting your moisture and protein balance right at this stage may become a little more complicated because your new growth needs something different from your relaxed ends.  Your new growth will need moisture deep conditioning regularly and protein deep conditioners occasionally.  Your relaxed length on the other hand will need protein more regularly than your new growth however it will still need moisture conditioning.

A way to achieve balance is to apply moisture deep conditioners to your new growth and to give your relaxed length what it needs at the time ( ie it could be protein one week and then moisture for the following two weeks for example)
Remember that the natural new growth will need protein deep conditioning occasionally, ie once every 4 to 8 weeks

 

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Weeks 16 to 24 (six months post) and Beyond

Hair Texture Changes
At 6 months post your new growth will begin to dominate your relaxed length, It will look thicker and feel stronger than your relaxed length.  Your relaxed length may begin to “look” like it is badly damaged in comparison to your natural new growth especially when it is wet. The
The battle between the two textures will also have intensified and caring for your hair may require more time to minimise breakage at the line of demarcation (where the natural roots and relaxed length meet).
Working in section will become mandatory at this stage and many ladies transitioning find washing in braids may help reduce (not eliminate) tangling.
Remember that regular trimming will help reduce the degree of tangling you experience.

 

Hair Styling Options
Wigs, braids, twists, crotchet braids and a whole host of long term protective styles may be your best bet at this stage.  It is important that you continue to care for your hair and have a regimen for your hair when wearing extensions.

It is also important that you have breaks in between wearing extensions to give your scalp and hair a chance to recuperate and more importantly for you to familiarise yourself with your natural texture.
Although you will never really know how your natural texture will behave and look like until after your big chop, getting used to how it  feels and how to style it will hopefully prepare you for managing and styling your hair post big chop.

When wearing your own hair out this deep into your transition it is best to wear the camouflage styles that have been mentioned above.

 

Moisture- Protein Balance
By this stage in your transition you should continue deep condition each texture on your head separately, i.e. use moisture deep conditioners regularly on your new growth and give your relaxed length what it needs at the time ( protein or moisture)

Please note that this method should also be followed when applying your leave-in conditioning products.

 

Make no mistake transitioning can be quite challenging for ladies especially those who are new to hair care and are still trying to find a regimen that works well for them.  As the months of your transition go by try to have a plan or fixed date for when you plan to big chop.  Having a goal date can help to keep you motivated on your transition.

I hope this brief guide serves its purpose and is helpful to both ladies who are transitioning and those on a long stretch.  Is anyone transitioning or currently on a long stretch?  What do you find most challenging and what methods work well to help you manage your hair?

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Lade

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