Doing a big chop is a big step and a big decision, but it’s the only way to quickly get rid of relaxed or damaged hair.
Many women who decide to go natural do the “big chop” as a way to start over and wear their beautiful kinky curls natural for the first time.
some women completely shave their heads
others cut gradually
and others only cut the hair that needs to be cut
It’s up to you to choose what suits you best! In any case, if the idea of doing a “real” big chop completely scares you, you can go at your own pace.
Note that doing a big chop allows you to get used to your hair texture much more quickly.
Moreover, you will feel stronger and more confident when you see your hair in its natural state.
Finally, unlike those who go through a hair transition, people who do a big chop have faster results.
HOW TO DO YOUR BIG CHOP?
There is a difference between cutting your hair yourself, in the bathroom, and having it cut by a professional to ensure it is properly cut.
Solution 1: Go to the hairdresser
If you are not comfortable with the big chop or if you haven’t found the time to do it yourself, you may want to consider hiring a professional hairdresser. Opt for a hairdresser specializing in kinky hair.
Read reviews from their other clients. Visit their website and look for testimonials.
Check their social media for photos and other client comments.
This research will give you a good idea of what you can expect from your experience, and often you will see real results achieved by other clients.
Communication with your hairdresser is essential.
You should be able to describe your cut or provide a photo of the hairstyle you want so that he can create the look you expect.
Solution 2: Do it yourself
Step 1 : Wash your hair
Start by washing your hair with a mild sulfate-free shampoo or conditioner.
Step 2 : Divide your hair into 4 sections.
Step 3 : Condition your hair
Apply an ultra-hydrating conditioner.
It will serve as a guide to know exactly where you will cut your hair.
Apply the conditioner to your wet hair, from root to tip, and you will clearly see where your curls are and where the straight and damaged hair is.
Once you have saturated your hair and found your line, do not rinse! Just move on to step 4.
Step 4 : The cut!
The moment of truth has come: as your hair is wet and perfectly conditioned, you can proceed with the cut. Note that ordinary scissors will not suffice.
We suggest you instead buy a pair of hair scissors for a smooth and even finish.
Step 5 : Rinse and moisturize
Right after rinsing your conditioner, I suggest applying a leave-in cream or lotion to your hair.
You may not be satisfied with your cut after cutting it, which is why it’s always a good idea to make an appointment with the hairdresser.
WHAT TO DO AFTER YOUR BIG CHOP?
1. GET INFORMED
Find a hairdresser or someone who can help you find products suitable for your texture.
Many women have been relaxing their hair since childhood and have never dealt with their true hair type.
This is really new for them, and you really need to take care of your natural hair completely differently from your relaxed hair.
So it is essential to get informed, follow advice and discover what your hair likes.
Note that your hair is unique, so what works for others may not necessarily work for you.
2. AFTER YOUR BIG CHOP, BE PATIENT AND TRY PRODUCTS IN SMALL QUANTITIES
As this is a new beginning, I’m sure you are eager to try all the products on the market.
And believe me, you will (I can’t even count how many products I’ve tried).
After cutting your natural hair, take advantage of product samples before buying full-size products.
Since shorter hair results in a considerable reduction in products, using samples will save you time and money until you have established your favorite list.
Some brands sell samples or even smaller-sized products to help you with this task.
Companies realize that women invest a ton of money in hair care, but they are even more frustrated after spending tons of money to realize that nothing works for them.
3. DEVELOP A HAIR CARE ROUTINE NOW… IT WILL HELP YOU LATER
The first question women ask after the big chop: “What should I do to my hair now that I’m natural?
Basically, you have to do the same things you did (if you did anything!). Shampooing, conditioning, moisturizing, maintaining hairstyles, etc… on a regular basis.
These things don’t change.
The biggest change, however, is how often you choose to implement these activities.
You need to adopt a hair ritual with care adapted to your hair.
Mild shampoo and/or conditioner: At least once a week.
Weekly shampooing removes product buildup, environmental factors, dust, sweat, etc. so that your pores are not clogged and your hair can grow freely.
Follow it with a conditioner if necessary.
Intense nutritive treatments:
Once a week or every time you shampoo.
Make sure you have a moisturizing conditioner, an excellent mask, vegetable oils (argan, olive, coconut, castor, sweet almond…) for oil baths.
Moisturize:
EVERY DAY! or if you feel your hair is dry.
Trim your ends:
every 3 to 6 months or as advised by your hairdresser to avoid major hair loss.
By adopting a hair care routine after cutting your natural hair, you will be in an ideal position to promote hair growth very quickly.
By then, you will have determined your favorites and you will know what your hair responds well to in terms of products. Hair evolution will come very quickly.
4. STOP STRESSING ABOUT YOUR HAIR TYPE
After cutting your natural hair, you will most likely be obsessed with your curls.
It’s normal, but you need to know that the type and pattern of your curls (3c, 4a, 4c, etc.) don’t matter.
So stop dwelling on this.
Here’s a little secret: healthy hair is not determined by your hair type.
It has no effect on the length or speed of your hair growth. You just need to maintain it.
Here are some other points to note…!
5. MAKE HYDRATION YOUR NUMBER 1 PRIORITY
Every day. This is how often I hydrate my hair and it takes me 2 minutes!
Your naturally curly and kinky hair will sometimes be dry, so accept it now.
You don’t need to accumulate a ton of hair products to get results!
Make sure to be regular and not feel your hair dry.
This does not mean that taking care of your hair has to be difficult.
Just know how to fight dryness. You have the choice between creams, leave-in treatments, hair lotions, sprays with water and oils etc…
My favorite homemade spray consists of
water
sweet almond oil
aloe vera juice/gel
Apart from what you put on your hair, don’t forget what you put inside your body too. You should consume a minimum of 1.5 L of water per day.
6. HAVE A GOOD SUPPORT SYSTEM AFTER YOUR BIG CHOP
Have you ever heard this: “When a woman cuts her hair, she’s about to change her life”?
Well, I wholeheartedly believe in that statement. For many women (not all), hair is a very emotional bond.
Therefore, make sure you have a good support system around you after your big chop.
The last thing you need is negativity and people asking you a bunch of questions about your choices!
Instead, follow the bloggers you like, watch their videos, and get inspired by people who give you positivity!
QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN…
Do hair grow faster after a big chop? It’s not so much that your hair grows faster after a big chop. The haircut will not affect your internal functioning. It’s just that your ends are now much healthier, which means they don’t break or split as quickly. So you retain length better.
How long does it take for hair to grow back after a big chop? It will take about 1 to 2 years to see good progress. Yes, it sounds long, but you’ll get there before you know it! It also depends on how well you take care of your hair, you need to be regular and use products suitable for your texture.
Does the big chop really work? It all depends on what you hope to achieve. The main goal of the big chop is to have healthy hair in the end. Some women are interested in length, others want their hair to be softer and shinier, but whatever your goals, you want them to be healthy.
To your hair growth!
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