Transitioning? Here are 7 Healthy Tips

Have you recently been thinking about transitioning your hair to go au naturel? Or maybe you feel like you are halfway there because of COVID19 so why not go all the way but not quite feeling the idea of a big chop? Well, let us be the first to tell you that you have options!

The idea of going natural can stir up many fears as well as expectations. Some may fear the big chop and the loss of length. We get it, a big chop can at times be a drastic change in texture and length. Or on the other side of the spectrum, some may think that going natural will be easier. Possibly...but you still have to maintain proper care of your hair and during transitioning, it can be a little tough. To help make your journey to natural a bit easier, we wanted to share 7 tips with you.

Tip #1: Have Endurance

Going natural requires a lot of patience and time. While transitioning, you have to be aware that it takes time for your hair to grow completely out or to your desired length. We all sometimes wish we can press a button to have it magically grow back out, but there are things you can do to help the process. Drinking plenty of water, taking daily vitamins, and distributing natural hair oils can make your hair grow stronger and faster.

Tip #2: Consistency is Key

While styling your transitioning hair, it is key to keep your two textures consistent. This helps keep your curl pattern from being disturbed. The hair closer to the root will be stronger since it is natural, while the rest of the hair is weak from being relaxed. You can keep the two textures consistent by using a rod set to achieve different styles. If you are blowing out your hair before protective styling, try to minimize heat styling as much as possible. Always remember to use a protectant before dealing with heat.

Tip #3: Take A Break In Between Protective Styling

Protectives styles are a very healthy and good way to style your hair while transitioning. You can try braids, twists, extensions, or wigs...but always remember it is good to take a break and allow your hair to breathe. It is important that you don’t forget to take care of your new growth in-between styles and embrace the new curl pattern that is forming. As your hair transactions out, you want to become aware of the type of curls that are growing out of your scalp and how to take care of them properly.

Flexi rod set on @TIERECHRISTYAN

Tip #4: Trim Your Hair Regularly

Even though your new growth is curly, the ends of your hair will always be relaxed hair without regular trims. To keep your length while trimming, it is best to trim every 6-8 weeks. This gives your hair enough time to continue to grow out in between each trim. Over time, you will be closer to having healthier and stronger hair. Eventually, there will be no more hair left to trim and you will be completely natural.

Tip #5: Keep Your Hair Hydrated

One of the biggest struggles with transitioning is keeping your hair from drying out and breaking off. This is why it is important and crucial to keep your hair moisturized throughout this process. It is good to moisturize your hair at the end of the day to replace any moisture and nutrients that could have slipped away. A few things that you can use to keep your hair hydrated is a leave-in conditioner, rinse out conditioner, coconut oil, or any oil that is filled with many healthy nutrients. It is also good to have a silk scarf or silk pillowcase to keep that moisture locked in overnight.

Tip #6: Stay Away From Wash n’ Go

As tempting as it may be, it is best to stay away from them during the process. A wash n’ go on transitioned hair will look very inconsistent because of the two different textures. While your hair is curly at the top, the ends are still straight and you may feel the need to further manipulate your hair to achieve a more consistent look. The more you manipulate, the more likely you are to cause unnecessary damage. Just continue to have patience and perform regularly trims, and in no time you will be rocking a fabulous wash n’ go.

Tip #7: Switch It Up

While transitioning from relaxed to natural hair, braids, twists, and weaves aren’t the only styles you can achieve.  You can still rock a fabulous low or high ponytail. Buns are also cute and chic while being worn with accessories such as scarfs, clips, and headbands.

As you embark on this journey, remember to enjoy it and have fun experimenting with new looks. Before you know it, your hair will be fully transitioned, and healthier and stronger than ever!

Feature photo credit: @demmybacus