Transitioning to natural hair is a simple process of growing out your natural texture before cutting off the processed or damaged ends, transitioning requires a bit of work compared to giving it a big chop however it is also one of the ways you can retain your hair length while transitioning.
One of the most common questions asked when transitioning to natural hair is the challenges involved as this is a hair journey that requires effort and care.
The goal is to make the two texture blend and grow healthy natural hair, the first step to acquiring healthy natural hair is to know what to expect and the right products to use.
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Don’t set a time just yet for a complete transition if you are not aware of the challenges a simple tips that come with natural hair, lot’s of patience is required to make it work, below are a couple of questions and things you should know when transitioning to natural hair.
How long does it take to transition to natural hair?
Knowing how long it will take for natural hair to grow in place of texturized hair before starting the process will help determine how much hair loss you should be prepared for and what hair products would be needed during this period, transitioning to natural hair often takes six to eight months to allow the natural hair to obtain some significant length and you can trim away the remaining relaxed part.
Your hair will grow between a half to one inch within the first two months, you might have to start thinking of a transition style during this period to keep your strands healthy and retain the length.
How do you maintain transitioning hair?
If you are looking for a way to make your transitioning process a smooth one then you do need a couple of maintenance tips, transitioning to natural hair would be more fun and easy if you treat and care for your hair and scalp properly.
Making a transition to natural hair can be a bit tough but here are some maintenance tips experts suggested.
- Learn your hair texture to help determine what products work best for it
- Eat what your hair needs to stay healthy, eat foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids like salmon, flax seeds, walnuts and avocadoes
- Moisturize your hair regularly
- Get regular trims and be gentle with your hair and scalp.
5 Things To Know When Transitioning To Natural Hair
Caring for natural hair is an important attribute that comes with transitioning to natural hair, there is no harm in experimenting on products that keeps your hair healthy however you should ensure it’s mostly natural. Relax and enjoy the process and below are 5 must know when transitioning.
1. Plan Your Hairstyles
Your relaxed ends are extremely weak at this stage hence you need to carefully plan your hairstyles, find your go-to transition hairstyle to help keep your hair from tangling and save it from constant combing and brushing.
The ends of transitioning natural hair strands are straight while your roots are curly and as a result, you need carefully planned hairstyles to blend the two textures. Wear your hair in rod sets, buns, extensions, Bantu knots, and other protective hairstyles.
2. Keep A Hair Journal
A hair journal will come in handy during your transition to natural hair, keeping a natural hair journal can show you if you are really making a progress or not, journals are also useful when you use a hair product combination you love and would need to remember a year later.
You must keep a consistent updating schedule as this would be highly beneficial in your hair growth.
3. Trim Monthly
It is recommended to trim at least ½ inch from your hair a month or every 2-3 months, this will enable new growth to take place and help you get rid of the processed part.
Trimming every month is also one of the fastest ways you can achieve your natural hair goal, you shouldn’t be pressured into cutting your hair off at once, a simple process of trimming once a month makes the transition process faster.
4. Deep Condition Weekly
Conditioning is the best way you can prevent your tresses from going weak which in turn causes damages and split ends, a weekly conditioning routine can help limit the amount of shedding your hair is meant to have, deep conditioning is highly essential for locking in moisture, keep your hair hydrated and protect it from drying out in a case of using chemical shampoo.
Check out the best deep conditioners for natural hair that we recommend.
5. Stay Away From Heat Tools
Giving your natural hair a break from heat tools or making use of heat protectant before heat styling will go a long way in keeping your hair under control and prevents damages, use the lowest temperature setting if possible, heat styling tools might be a great way to give you hair a straight perfect look but it can leave your hair dry, frizzled and damaged.
Does transitioning hair shed a lot?
Expect some breakage and shedding when transitioning however the excess of it might be a cause of concern if you are planning to transition a long time then you might have to avoid tight hairstyles that would pull at your scalp thereby causing hair loss. Your relaxed ends are extremely weak and can break very easily when manipulated even from combing or brushing, the more you pull at your hair during the transition, the more shedding occurs.
Making a transition to natural hair can be tough but knowing your hair and what it responds to is the perfect way to curb the challenges, find your go-to transitioning hairstyle to help straighten out your tresses and prevent split ends.
You should also try putting your hair up and away for a few weeks, it can take the hassle of day-to-day maintenance away and give you the chance to explore more options once your extensions are removed.
Read more on natural tips and protective hairstyles:
- 5 Reasons Why Natural Hair is Better Than Relaxed Hair
- 100 Hairstyles For Natural Hair You’ll Really Like
- How Often Should You Wash Natural Hair?
- 15 Protective Natural Hair Hairstyles You’ll Love
- 30 Different Ways To Style Your Natural Hair At Home
- 7 Challenges That Comes With Keeping Natural Hair
- 17 Best Deep Conditioners For Natural Hair With Great Reviews
