I know you're probably thinking, " What if I currently have relaxed hair and I want to transition back to natural??" Don't worry, I got you. Below are some tips if you want to transition or are currently transitioning.
1. Be patient. Whether you decide to do a big chop or gradually grow out a relaxer (like I did), it’s going to take at least three to four months to start to see real change. For some, it may be a full year before you’re completely chemical-free. It all depends on how long your hair takes to grow and how well you treat and protect it during the transition phase.
2. Cut when necessary. This doesn’t mean a big chop, but gradually trimming the ends of your hair (a habit that you should be doing whether your hair is relaxed or natural) every 6-8 weeks will not only help speed up the process, but it will also keep your fragile strands from breaking as they transition from being straightened by chemicals.
3. Deep condition often. Hair that is transitioning is very fragile. It’s most compromised right at the point where your new growth and relaxed hair meet, so you’ll need to treat that area with extra care. Do this by keeping the hair from drying out; that’s what will lead to breakage. Try a weekly deep conditioning routine using the Almond Berry All-In-One Conditioner
4. Detangle Carefully. In addition to using the right products for transitioning hair, how you comb and brush is just as important. Avoid using fine-tooth combs when styling and especially when detangling. Never detangle when your hair is dry!
5. Use protective styles. Protective styles cuts down on breakage and friction and allows for growth. Whichever protective style you go with, keep the tension off of your hairline, temples, and nape of your neck. Baby hairs in these areas are just as fragile as the parts that were previously relaxed, so keep the tension off of your edges, too.