So many ladies prefer to transition rather than chop off their permed hair to start a healthy hair journey. I transitioned for 12months, I set a goal to go all the way to one year before I trim, and I did achieve that.
Transitioning could be frustrating, especially if you did not do your homework before embarking on it. Dealing with two different textures could be tasking. So if you discover it’s getting, you worked up, trim off the strands, and continue braiding and fixing as you wish.
To Ensure A Successful Journey Below Are Some Points To Get You Started
▪Finish Your Old Products
Before you become a product hoarder, use up your old products first. Refraining from becoming a product hoarder will force you to focus on your hair regimen –which is most important.
▪Introduce New Product One At A Time
As you use up your old products, try to use new ones one at a time. Do not pile up your cabinet with products you hear about and use them all at once. This way, you can tell what is working for you and what is not.
▪Pay Special Attention To The Line Of Demarcation
This is where your relaxed ends meet the natural hair. This is the weak point so take extra care to reduce breakage because the chances are that breakage will occur. Try to avoid heat styling options and over manipulation. Try twist-out styles and use perm rods at the tips, as this will help give the two textures an identical look.
▪Do Not Be Obsessed With Curl Pattern
It sure is tempting, but you cannot see your actual pattern until all relaxed ends get cut off.
▪DEEP CONDITION
It is in big letters to emphasize the importance. Lol. Contrary to popular belief, it is an excellent thing to deep condition with heat, so do not be afraid to try a bit hooded dryer sometimes. You could also get conditioners that say deep conditioner on the jars/bottles to nourish your strands properly. African Best hair mayonnaise is an excellent product to use, and Shea Moisture has some deep conditioning Treatments.
▪Treat Your Hair Like It Is All Natural
Practice makes perfect, right? So why not try getting good at two strands twist out, flat twists out, Bantu knot out, and cornrows? Be sure to use perm rods/rollers at the tips, so the textures are blended.
▪Clean Scalp
The key to healthy hair is a clean scalp. Your scalp creates natural hair sebum, so do not be tempted to lather on grease. Instead, opt for lighter oils like jojoba oil or Castor oil to massage the scalp but avoid Mineral oil. Keep hair and scalp clean whenever you see build-up.
▪Trim Ends
Contrary to popular belief (again), trimming your hair often will not give you faster growth, but it will reduce breakage, especially during the Transition. Trim off split regularly ends as you will have them. Besides, you will be cutting the relaxed ends off anyways.
▪Protect Your Strands
Do not over manipulate your hair. Make good use of protective styles so long as they are not too tight or kept in too long. Your hair is very fragile at this stage, so protection is vital. Deep condition to achieve retention.
▪Be Patient
Sometimes it may seem like your hair is not growing, and it can be frustrating dealing with different textures. At this point, you may be very tempted to whip out your jar of relaxer since it is what you are familiar with, and it’s ok to feel that way. However, if you are dedicated to keeping your natural hair, then a lot of patience is required. Your hair grows an average of 1/2 inch a month, just like everyone else. So try to remember that, and protective styles help a lot as it stops you from obsessing over length every minute. Before you know what’s happening, you have a head full of amazing curls.
▪Let Your Expectations Be Real
To get a satisfactory result, it’s ideal to learn the different ways of dealing with your hair in Transition mode, and you mustn’t expect your natural hair to act like relaxed hair. Once you have finally accepted the growth pattern and nature of your curls, you will better understand dealing with it carefully. Try to recreate styles that enhance and highlight your new texture with the relaxed hair you are growing out.
Are you transitioning? If yes, how is it going?
