5 Things Transitioners Should Know!

Hey guys, yesterday's post has been getting a lot of traction which is awesome! Thank you for reading and sharing! It seems as though a lot of females and males - which was actually pretty surprising - are interested in natural hair care. I figured I would keep the ball rolling and continue to give you guys hair tips and clue you into my hair care process - so be on the lookout! Today's topic is 5 Things Transitioners Should Know. If you're on the fence about joining team natural here are 5 things to keep in mind before you make your decision. Please note, I am not here to bash women who still perm their hair - If it works for you then continue perming and be fabulous. I know plenty of women who still perm their hair and keep it healthy - which is great! I am just not one of them, I tried and failed miserably. 

Nothing in life worth having comes easily- remember that during your process. There is no magical elixir that will cause your hair to look like Solange's within a 3 month period, It's impossible. Unrealistic hair goals and "magical creams" that promise faster hair growth fall short on their promises which can cause discouragement. Good old fashion TIME and your hair care regimen will get you the results you're dying to see. Just be patient and consistent! If you stick with it, I promise the end results will have you feeling like beyoncé in the Work It Out Video - Ha! 




Fun Facts!

Natural hair textures require it's own set of standards for care. Those standards are very different from relaxed hair... in other words -  there's more work involved with natural hair care. I researched the average hair growth per month for African Americans and learned that hair grows approximately 1/2 inch per month, for a total of six inches in one year.Then again it depends on your genetics. If you're mixed then there is a chance that your hair might grow a bit faster.

Remember, when you're growing out your hair the look of it will change first ie. thickness, and feel. Within the first 3-4 months of your hair journey you'll notice the improvements in thickness, this usually happens before you see any additional length. If you are diligent with your hair care within 6-8 months you will notice a big difference in length. I've been natural for about a year and I'm finally starting to see some length! Be encouraged ladies! Consistency and positivity will help you along your journey!

These 5 hair care tips should help you avoid breakage and bad hair days so you can keep it cute! 

1. Transitioning is a process that requires massive amounts of patience. For those of you who don't know - transitioning takes up to a year or more depending on how much-relaxed ends you have. If you're not interested in the big chop (I wasn't) then this is the next best thing. You have time to wait until your hair reaches a length that you're comfortable with. At that point, you can chop off the relaxed ends little by little. I personally cut my ends every month or so. 

2. While transitioning you're dealing with two completely different hair textures. At the root, you'll have your curls, and at the ends you'll have your relaxed/straight ends. The extreme difference in these two textures can cause hair breakage if not cared for properly. By wearing protective styles (as discussed in the last post - Beginners Guide to Natural Hair). Buns, low manipulation styles (ie. twist outs), twists or braids can help your hair grow properly and avoid breakage. 

3.  DO NOT COMB YOUR HAIR FROM THE ROOTS TO THE ENDS! When your hair is relaxed or straightened you can do as you please, but in its curly state - don't even think about it...you might break the comb...you don't want to break the comb...you need that comb. When combing your tresses you GENTLY start from the ends to your roots using a Denman brush or a WIDE tooth comb. Be sure to use a detangler - I love the Cantu Shea Butter Coil Calm Detangler (I'm sure you can find this in your local beauty supply store as well). 

4. Stay away from heat styling tools! The use of curling irons or flat irons can cause permanent straightening of the hair - same as relaxers. Don't defeat the purpose by doing things that will go against your transition process. You're trying to revert to your natural texture, right? Good, so no hot hair tools during the transitioning phase! Once you're totally relaxer free a little straightening once and a while won't hurt. The only time I apply heat to my hair is when I'm deep conditioning with my Bonnet Dryer.

Bonnet Dryer - I purchased it sometime last month so I, unfortunately, don't have the box, but It looks just like this. I purchased it from a Beauty Supply store on Fulton (of course I don't remember the name. It was either The Hair Shop or the store right across the street). You can also purchase it online from Sally's.






Tip: If you don't have a Bonnet Cap or a dryer you can do the alternative - The Towel Method. After you've applied the deep conditioner to your hair put on a shower cap and find a large towel. Simply soak the towel in hot water, squeeze out the excess water and quickly wrap it around your head. Though it is very time-consuming, it will get the job done. Before I purchased my bonnet cap I did the Towel Method for at least 25 minutes. Now I know some of you might think that that is ridiculous, but the towel doesn't retain its heat for long. So It is an up and down process - you must continuously remove the towel, wet it again, and re-wrap it on your head. Best of luck!

5. As your hair grows examine your curl pattern, its kinkiness, coils, and coarseness. Understanding what your hair can and cannot do will save you time and energy. For example, there are some naturalistas that can wet their hair frequently, shake and go. You may not be one of them! Let me try to shake and go... everything would be fine and dandy until that thing dries. I would walk outside looking like Chewbacca - lmao a HOT MESS.  Applying practices that do not work for your hair type will cause you all types of unnecessary drama - and worst-case scenario can cause breakage. 

Check this chart out for more information! 




Good luck with the transition ladies! 

- Sassy ' N' New York 




Images: (Buzzfeed,Giffy,Sallys,NaturallyCurly)