Naptural Counselor: Natural Hair Modalities: Transitioners

Welcome Naptural Transitioners:

Congratulations for taking the first step to a healthier you. I personally transitioned for 11 months, which I encountered frustrations, doubts, stress and indifferent feelings that you are having as you embark on this seemingly IMPOSSIBLE journey. News for you beautiful Napturals—it is POSSIBLE to have gorgeous healthy long hair, if that is your goal. IT IS POSSIBLE!

Throughout the quest to ingest ALL THINGS NATURAL, I accumulated a variety of knowledge since my last relaxer in July of 2009. My naptural circle was small, which consisted of three chemically free women. To say the least my knowledge base was lacking and anxious to learn. However, I was determined to education myself on all things NATURAL. My knowledge base was acquired from a variety of venues: Natural Hair Blogs, Natural Hair Chats, Natural Hair Websites and YouTube. I took notes, reviewed videos until I mastered the techniques and simply experimented.

My first hair goals: To maximize my new growth potential, second to cut off the relaxed hairs and lastly to grow my hair as fast as possible. Sounds like a big mission--but POSSIBLE.

Here is an attempt to provide purposeful information that may assist you, as you transition from relaxed hair back to Natural Hair. Please feel comfortable to post your questions below and I will respond.

1. Making the decision to go BACK to being Natural (we were all Natural at one point). Why?
Is it because you believe it is a “FAD” or to maintain healthy hair? Are you mentally prepared to encounter the skewed societal perspectives? Western culture has a different perspective of what is deemed to be BEAUTIFUL and what is socially acceptable.

2. Committing to the healthy process.
Do not give up. This process is liberating and unique to you. It is different for each person that embarks this journey. It can be the very best decision for you.

3. Become educated on the ingredients in Chemical Relaxers/Products:
Sodium Hydroxide (corrosive, servere burns, deep permanent scarring), Hydrogen Peroxide, Phosphoric Acid, and/or Guanidine Hydroxide. I encourage you to take some time to conduct a simple research on some of these ingredients. It will provide insight to why your relaxed hair will not grow past the length it is now. Be consumers of your own health...conduct the research.

4. What results do you want to achieve? Length or Healthy Hair?
To retain length-your regimen should utilize protective styles more often that not.

5. Do you have a hair length goal?
Some Napturals love wearing a Fade, Locks, or TWA. In which, length is not a goal but healthy hair is an essential.

6. Should I Big Chop, Transition for a length of time and then Big Chop or Transition fully?

This depends on your patience and confidence. The easiest way to become Natural is to CUT IT OFF NOW!! This is the truest way to obtain results fast. Transitioning can become frustrating because you are fighting against two different textures. The line in which the new growth ends and the relax hair starts is called the line of demarcation. At this line, you will experience tangles and knots. It does exercise a lot of patience not to rip/tear the hair when you are trying to detangle. Some choose to transition by cutting a little bit of the relaxer at a time.

7. How should I transition back to Natural?

You can braid the hair, wear a wig or even a sew-in weave. Be sure the braider does not pull the hair too tightly to cause damage. Be sure to moisturize the braids underneath. For example: S-CURL No Drip Activator Moisturizer is a fabulous moisturizer for braids. I choose to transition with two sew-ins, wigs and braid-outs. If you choose to wear the hair out—be sure to match the textures. For Example: A roller set or braid out (and place a roller at the end). Another safe transition style are braid extensions. Again make sure the braider does not braid too tightly or small. For example: Kinky Twist, Box Braids, Corn Rows, Flat Twists, etc are perfect for transitioning.

8. Why does my new growth feel brittle and dry?

It is because the relaxed part of your hair is PULLING the nutrients out of the hair to the ends, which is leaving the newest part of the hair brittle. It is important to keep the new growth MOISTURIZED, CONDITIONED and MOISTURIZED. I cannot stress this enough. If you do not—your hair will break at the demarcation line. I washed my hair every other night with conditioner only (CO-WASH)—to ensure I was keeping the hair hydrated. I utilized the bagging method with coconut oil and conditioner, nightly.

9. How do I know what my hair will look like after I cut my hair?

The answer is…you will not know until you cut your hair. I hear contemplators say, “My hair will not look like yours, you have no idea what my hair looks like before my relaxer is due.” My immediate thought-how do you know if your hair has always been relaxed? Remember, the relaxed hair is pulling on the new growth, thus there is no certain way to know your texture until the relaxer is completely OFF. A month or so before I did the BC, I cut a little piece of the relaxer off in the back to see my true curl pattern. Also, your curl pattern will change several times through the growth process. My hair has changed approximately three times since I BC’d. I now have three different textures throughout my hair.

10. What products should I purchase?

The natural hair product market is growing at a FAST pace. It is TRIAL and ERROR until you master what your hair LOVES. It is important to pay close attention to the product and how your hair responds. I was a product junkie when I first BC’d. I discovered quickly-what works for one Natural did not work for me. Trial and error is the only way you will know what your hair needs and loves. I strongly recommend that you read product reviews prior to purchasing products. The very best source for product reviews: YouTube. Get into the habit of reading label on every product prior to purchasing. Look for harmful ingredients that may alter the natural curl pattern and/or damage the growth process.

11. How fast will my hair grow after the BC?
Once the relaxed hairs are gone--your hair will sprout (fearlessly)! Expect 1/2 inch per month with proper hair care.

Here are my basic hair staples that all Naturals can incorporate into their regimen. "If all other products fail, go to the basic hair staples" ~ Naptural Counselor

Naptural Counselor’s Product Staples:

1. Water

2. Olive oil

3. Leave-in Conditioner

4. Raw Shea Butter

5. Coconut Oil
*It is essential to apply these products in this order*

Few Natural Hair Terms to get you started
1. Pre-Poo -placing conditioner or oil on the hair prior to washing the hair to assist in the detangling process.
2. Co-Wash -washing the hair with Conditioner ONLY.
3. Bagging Technique -apply conditioner and coconut oil/olive oil, then cover hair with a bag.
4. Scrunching Method -a technique to apply product, scrunch the product into the hair with finger tips and palms.
5. Shingling- a technique to apply product, part the hair then apply the product and repeat all throughout the hair. This is a great method for applying conditioner and oils.
6. EVOO- Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
7. Braid outs: Braiding the hair and taking the braids out.
8. Twist outs: Twisting the hair and taking the twists out.

Harmful Ingredients (but not limited to)
Petroleum, Sodium, Parabens, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium, Laurly/Laureth Sulfate, silicones (any ingredient that has “cone” at the end of the word), and minerals.