You may be wondering if you can return to your natural hair without going through the Big Chop stage. Well, the answer is yes! However, I want to warn you right away that the hair transition will take time.
Prepare yourself mentally for the time it will take for your curls to regain their natural shape.
And of course, get ready to adopt a new hair care routine by saying goodbye to relaxer products.
There may be days when you feel like giving up.
Don’t worry, once you get through all of this, you can be proud of yourself.
Undoubtedly, other people will want to know your secret.
Read these tips on how to achieve your hair transition without the Big Chop. Stay until the end; a little summary awaits you to help!
If your hair has become dry and brittle due to prolonged use of relaxers or straighteners, it’s time to take action.
Transitioning allows your hair to regain its beauty without being altered by chemicals.
Although curly or coily hair is naturally fragile, it will be stronger and more resilient in its natural state compared to its current condition.
Honestly, who doesn’t dream of having long, healthy, and voluminous hair?
Challenges You May Face During Your Hair Transition
First, it’s important to know that a hair transition is not without its challenges. Many people give up on the process in order to go back to using their old products.
A fatal mistake!
It’s precisely after the adjustment period that hair becomes increasingly beautiful and healthier.
Greasy Hair
Greasy hair is the first change you may notice during your hair transition.
By spacing out your shampoos (about 2 to 3 times a week), you’ll feel like you have oily and dirty hair.
However, it’s essential to forget daily washing, which, contrary to what you might think, promotes sebum production.
During the adjustment period, you must accept having greasy hair.
Less Smooth Hair
Next, you’ll notice that your hair is less smooth than before and tends to tangle.
In fact, the hair transition promotes the appearance of knots.
This is because natural or solid shampoos, which do not contain silicones or smoothing additives, are used, unlike other hair products.
In reality, other hair products may give you the impression of having beautiful hair, but they weigh down the hair fiber.
During your transition, your hair will be less manageable.
Rest assured, using natural treatments will help replace the silicones found in your old hair products.
Acceptance of Your Natural Hair
A successful hair transition requires accepting your hair in its natural state.
It’s crucial to break free from old hair habits. In other words, get used to these three main points:
Space out your shampoos.
Let your hair air dry.
Accept that they may be greasier, drier, and less “tamed.”
This can be a challenge for some, but it’s important to rediscover and embrace your hair as it is.
Once you’ve passed this stage, you’re already on the right track!
Maintaining two different hair textures can sometimes be tricky.
This is often when you may be tempted to re-relax or straighten your hair.
How to Go Through a Hair Transition?
Stop Using Chemical Products
To keep your curly or coily hair healthy, it’s important to stop using any type of chemical product to straighten, soften, or style your hair. You should also avoid excessive heat.
During the transition phase, when your hair is returning to its natural state, it’s highly recommended to avoid using hair dryers, straighteners, diffusers, or any source of high heat.
Cleanse Your Hair
You should wash your hair at least once a week or every 14 days at most.
To do this, avoid shampoos containing sulfates, as they can dry out your hair.
Deep Hydration
I can’t stress this enough—hydrate! Hydrate… and hydrate some more!
Regardless of the season, you should regularly deeply hydrate your hair. This is a crucial step to prevent breakage.
You can use hair masks or apply vegetable oil treatments.
To seal in the moisture, also consider using vegetable oil and a hair cream.
Trim your ends
In any case, you should trim damaged or relaxed hair. This will ensure healthy hair and prevent split ends.
During the transition, it’s ideal to trim the ends every 6 to 8 weeks.
What Hairstyles Should I Wear During the Transition?
These hairstyles are important for the future of your hair, as they help retain moisture and minimize hair breakage.
You don’t have to stick to just one type of hairstyle. Keep in mind that natural hair is stronger than relaxed hair. However, your hair is still fragile during the transition.
Wearing a wig or hair extensions is also an option to consider if you prefer to gradually cut your ends.
Although a wig can be convenient, you should not rely on it too much, as it can complicate the hair transition process. Wearing a wig continuously is not the best solution for your natural hair because it keeps them covered all the time.
How Long Will it Take to Return to Natural Hair?
“The best things take patience.” – Jean Anglade
Patience is essential when transitioning to natural hair without the Big Chop.
Indeed, a hair transition takes time. It can take several months before you have 100% natural hair again (yes, you read that correctly, several months).
I won’t lie to you; going back to natural hair doesn’t happen in a few days.
Of course, the timeline also depends on the current length of your hair. Some women have taken more than 18 months to return to natural hair without doing a Big Chop.
On average, hair grows about 1.5 cm per month.
If your hair grows relatively slowly, expect your hair to grow about 10 to 13 cm per year.
It’s important to understand what to expect over time.
Note that not everyone takes care of their hair the same way, and many women cut their hair more often. Growing your hair is a real challenge.
For more information on hair growth, I invite you to read my article on how to grow your hair quickly.
Can You Go Back to Natural Hair Without Doing a Big Chop?
The answer is yes!
The process of transitioning to natural hair involves several different elements, but the two most important things to understand right now are the physical transition and the mental transition.
Physical Transition
The physical transition is a growth process.
This means that instead of cutting everything immediately, you first let your hair grow with the relaxed or damaged part for a period of time that you define.
There really is no limit to the duration of the transition.
Mental Transition
The mental transition is about changing your mindset.
For many women, successfully returning to natural hair can be mentally challenging.
So, the mental transition is the process of preparing your mind for the many different things you will encounter during your hair journey.
Before we finish, here’s the long-awaited summary to help you succeed in your transition.
Summary for a Successful Hair Transition in 10 Points
Be patient.
Find your transitional hairstyle.
Detangle on wet hair.
Keep your scalp clean.
Keep your hair hydrated during the transition.
Deeply hydrate your hair.
Reduce heat usage.
Protect your edges.
Be gentle.
Gradually cut damaged ends.
Keep in mind that all these tips are designed to help you return to your naturally curly hair, as that’s the end result you’ll be keeping.
Courage, and congratulations on your decision to transition to natural hair !
