How To Go From Relaxed To Natural Hair

To go from relaxed to natural hair, you have 2 options:
1. Transitioning 
2. The Big Chop.

Which ever one you choose is completely up to you as there is no right or wrong way to go natural.

Deciding the method to take may be difficult so here’s both method explained:

Transitioning

Transitioning is the process of eliminating chemical treatments (relaxers) and allowing the hair to grow out while gradually trimming the chemically processed ends.

Transitioning can take up to 1 year, less or more depending on what you’re comfortable with. Most people slowly trim their relaxed ends away as they grow out their relaxed hair; this also helps to keep breakage at bay and it gives your hair a more healthy appearance.

Pros of Transitioning

• You have the time to learn about your  hair type.

• Transitioning gives you an opportunity to ease into being natural.

• You can wear many of the same styles that naturals wear.

• During transitioning you have the time to perfect your hair styling skills.

• You can maintain the length of your hair by cutting it slowly and deciding when you want to get rid of the relaxed ends. If you are not comfortable with short hair, then you can avoid that adjustment period, and avoid the wait of growing your hair back out.

Cons of Transitioning

• It can be a lot of work to maintain two drastically different hair textures; Your relaxed ends and your growing natural hair.

• There is a lot of potential for damage at the line where the two textures meet known as “The Line Of Demarcation”.

• The process of transitioning takes longer than if you just did “the big chop”.

The Big Chop

The Big Chop is for those who wants to get into the natural hair business right away. It entails cutting off all of the relaxed hair and wearing a TWA (teeny weeny afro).

Pros of the Big Chop

• Cutting your hair off is refreshing, and it really sets you in the frame of mind that you are making a change.

• You have a consistent hair texture as opposed to transitioning where you have to deal with two.

• Starting from a short haircut gives you time to get to know your hair before there is so much of it. This is a good time to do trial and error to see what works for you and what doesn’t.

• There are no long waits to go natural; your hair is returned to its natural state as soon as your relaxed hair is chopped off.

• With a big chop you have a fresh start no chemically processed hair and no split ends.

Cons of the Big Chop

• The shock of having short hair can be challenging for some people, especially those that have not had short hair before.

• You may experience more backlash from people in your life because it is a sudden change.

• Waiting to grow your hair longer can be overwhelming.

• Learning to deal with an entirely new texture on the spot.

• Coming up with new short natural hairstyles.

Big Chop Or Not!

Whatever road you choose to take is entirely up to you. No one can make that decision for you. Choose the option that best suits your personality & lifestyle. Whether you transition or do the big chop, there’s no wrong or right way to go natural.