Spotlight on Transitioning (Physical)

7:01:00 AM 4 Comments A+ a-

Going from relaxed to natural hair can be physically grueling on your tresses. Where it seems like your hair was stressed from the chemicals being put into it, imagine how it is when you are trying to purge them. During this time, proper hair care is essential. 


The physical transition of your hair can be a bit of shock. The line between your relaxed hair and your natural hair is often weak and brittle, and tends to tangle easily. Utilizing conditioners (i.e., Herbal Essence Hello Hydration) with great "slip" will help ease and detangle knots. 


As your relaxed hair starts to grow out and your wavy, kinky coils start to show themselves, do not be alarmed when your hair looks like this: 




See it as sign that your journey is well underway and worth it. Your natural hair, your crown of glory is showing itself to the world and you should embrace it. It doesn't mean that you have to walk around with your hair looking like a messy bird's nest, or as my friend Lisa puts it "Frederic Douglass hair". Take this time to explore products and styles that work for your hair type.


Wearing transitional styles that blend both the relaxed and natural hair should help as well.  Remember: natural hair loves the water whereas relaxed hair doesn't - on a daily basis. Use products that offer tons of moisture and apply hold to hair as well. I've found that Herbal Essence Hello Hydration is a great moisturizing conditioner and Eco Styler Gel is a great hydrating, holding gel. Both items work well together to create a moisturized style that will last for days. 


Physically speaking, the transitional period will be trying but you will survive. Nourish your tresses, be gentle and patient with them and I promise you will be happy with the end results.

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Anonymous
AUTHOR
September 21, 2010 1:05 PM delete

One of the things I did was lots of rollersets and rod sets. My hair was blended and I didn't look crazy. Plus I wasn't doing a ton of manipulation.
S23

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Epitome
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September 21, 2010 5:59 PM delete

I didn't know jack crap about hair much less healthy hair when I started transitioning over a year ago. I'd wash it with whatever shampoo and condition it, trim it on occasion and that was that. Boy was a jacking up! My hair probably would be longer now if I had actually taken time to understand my hair...lesson learned

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DivafromSC
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September 21, 2010 8:43 PM delete

Great advice for someone like me! I just can't wait to see more of the waves, lol!!

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Unknown
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November 24, 2012 12:45 PM delete

im growing out my relaxed hair and im need help i havent had a relaxer since october of 2011 and I had a sow in from either december to june and had gotten a deep conditioning it is now november and i dont know if im natural or not when ever i get my hair wet it poofs up and there are only a few curls is that good? or bad? or am I still in a transition?

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