More and more women are making the decision to go from permanently relaxed hair to natural hair without realizing this process requires dedication and a whole lot of patience. Some are doing it with the help of their stylist while other choose to go for it on their own at home. Either way, ladies please do your home work so that you can transition with the best possible results.
I read about something sweet in Modern Salon, called Miss Jessie's Super Sweetback Treatment. Although I have not tried this particular product, I plan to in the very near future. The advertisement stated that this treatment is an ultra rich emulsion that will satisfy hair while softening and elongating every strand, which in turn delivers deep treatment specially for growing out natural hair and resulting in the length many women desire. The treatment has to be used once a week and is suppose to smell like delicious bubble gum. Miss Jessie's products can be ordered online.
Whether you try Super Sweetback or not, proper care must be taken when you are transitioning. There are several different methods to go from relaxed to natural hair. You can let the relaxer grow out naturally, this method can be frustrating because of dealing with the two different textures of hair. Another method involves cutting off all the relaxed hair and leaving only the new growth. There are so many cute short styles to choose from, and what you choose will depend largely on the texture of the non relaxed hair.
If cutting the hair down to the new growth and wearing it short is not appealing, there are other styling options. In order to hide the two textures there are styles that require little or no daily grooming, like braids, cornrows, extensions, twist-outs or straw-sets. Whatever style you choose the most important thing to do is treat your hair with tender loving care during this period to avoid a lot of hair breakage and damage.
Be sure to condition your hair often and give it a hot oil deep conditioning treatment. This is important to restoring moisture and balance. If you choose to keep two textures, be aware that the weakest point where the two textures meet, the line of demarcation, is the point where the hair is susceptible to breakage. During the transition period, when you condition your hair use a wide tooth comb while the conditioner is still in the hair. There are a lot of good conditioners that will rid the hair of tangles, so if you are washing your hair in between salon visits, be sure to consult with your stylist regarding what you should be using. If you are doing the transition on your own, the Internet is an excellent resource for information.
Also, while you are transitioning, try to avoid hair styles that involve slicking the hair back because the tension may cause hair breakage.
Have a safe and happy transition!
Comments
I would love to see more women with natural hair styles. I'm not sure what women are watching these days, but they seem to have to perm it up. My advice, stop watching so much tv and celeberties with their fake, expensive and time consuming styles.
Be yourself, Be Natural! Be Beautiful!
Great article, and good encouragement to women who are trying to be more gentle to their hair and eliminate all that processing!
So much great information!! We need more articles like this for women of color.
This is definately the information that my daughter needs. She looks gorgeous being natural, but she needed more tips in making the transition. Thanks again for another great article.
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