Transition Definition:
To transition is to return to a natural hair texture from a chemically straightened or heat-trained one. Over a period of weeks or months, the ends of the hair will be cut away as the new growth appears. While the transitioning process will require the wearer to find various styles that work with both textures (the chemically processed and the natural), it’s generally considered a less dramatic option in returning to natural hair than the “big chop.”
How Easy Is it to Transition to Natural Hair?
This really depends on your attitude toward your new growth, how willing you are to explore various styling possibilities and the amount of information you have. Some women have a difficult time dealing with the different textures of their natural vs. relaxed hair. It’s best to choose hairstyles that blend the textures, opting for curly over straight. This places less stress on your hair overall and helps you begin to learn how it will be dealing with completely natural tresses.
Not surprisingly, some women get frustrated during this time and return to relaxing. Lots of patience will be required to get through your transition. You should arm yourself with as much information as possible, but don’t get overwhelmed — use what applies to you and don’t worry about the rest.
In general, your transition to natural hair will be easier if you find some easy-to-manage styles you can create and accept your natural texture for what it does and what it can’t do without too much manipulation.
Can You Only Transition from Relaxed Hair?
While most women who return to natural tresses do so from relaxed hair, some women have never had straightening chemicals applied to their manes. However, they still don’t remember what their real hair looks like because they’ve relied on continuous pressing or flat ironing.
How Long Should I Transition?
It’s a good idea to consider some type of time frame once you decide to transition. You can always change how long you actually transition, but if you start out by giving yourself six months or two years of transitioning time, you’re beginning with a plan in place. You may find three months into your journey that you’re tired of trying to blend your various textures and cut everything off at once; likewise, some women go two years without relaxing because they want to hold onto their length and can only trim away small amounts at a time. It’s up to you how long you stick with it. If you’re a very patient person, you may find a longer transition enjoyable, while women who are less patient might be anxious to see what their natural hair looks like right now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCJb9D3pBdM
Tips on Transitioning to Natural Hair
To make it through the transition phase with a minimum of frustration, try these tips:
Choose the Right Styles
One of the biggest issues for you may be what hairstyles you can turn to during this period. There are going to be ‘dos that are simpler for transitioning hair, while others will be hard to maintain and will probably lead to frustration. The easiest styles will either highlight your new, curly texture or protect your hair in some fashion instead of hairdos that force you to deal with two very different textures. You should also avoid trying to straighten your natural locks to match your chemically straightened ends. The best hairstyles during a transition will blend the two textures as much as possible, so try:
- Braids and braid-outs
- Two-strand twists, flat twists and twist-outs
- Buns
- Roller sets
- Flexi-rod sets
- Bantu knots and knot-outs
Have Realistic Expectations
Don’t expect natural hair to behave like straightened hair. You’ll have to learn different ways of dealing with your tresses to get satisfactory results. Otherwise, you can experience a lot of aggravation when your natural curls seem to be “unruly.” They’re not unruly; they’re simply doing what they naturally do.
Once you accept that your hair is frizzy, puffy or “big,” you’ll be better able to work with it instead of against it. Along with having realistic expectations comes acceptance of your true texture. Unfortunately, some women expect their curls/coils to look one way and when their locks turn out another way, they’re disappointed — their hair doesn’t look like their hair idol’s! Everyone’s curl pattern is unique to her, and falling in love with yours, while it may not happen right away, is the best way to be natural and happy.
Treat Your Hair with Care
Exercise care where the relaxed and natural hair meet. The place where your new growth meets the relaxed hair is especially fragile. If you experience any breakage, chances are high that this will be where it takes place. This is why too much heat styling and manipulation should be avoided. Instead of constantly flat ironing your new growth to match the straight texture, try wet sets and curly styles that make the relaxed hair match your new curls instead. Add mild to moderate protein treatments once or twice per month to minimize breakage, and increase deep conditioning to about once a week to maintain healthy moisture-protein levels.
Be Patient
There may be times when it seems that your hair is simply not growing. It can be frustrating to try and deal with two different textures. You may contemplate returning to relaxed hair because that’s what you’re familiar with and it seems so much easier. However, if you’re really committed to your natural texture, some patience will be required. Your hair is probably growing an average of ½ inch per month, just like everyone else’s. Your curly new growth may shrink up, making it appear as if your hair isn’t gaining any length.
Just remember that your hair is growing and it’s growing in healthy and strong. Put your hair in protective styles where you’re not obsessing about hair length every minute of the day. Before you know it, you’ll have a head full of natural curls that won’t rely on chemicals or heat styling to get you ready for the day.
https://www.liveabout.com/tips-for-transitioning-from-relaxed-to-natural-hair-400327
