Deciding whether to big chop or transition from relaxed to natural hair is one of the toughest decisions ever! There are benefits and consequences to each approach; however, each approach will get you to the same goal – having natural, chemical-free hair.
Just to cover some basics, let me define the terms big chop and natural hair transition. The big chop is the act of cutting all the relaxed ends off of your hair; leaving you with 100% relaxer free, all natural hair. Transitioning is the process of maintaining your new growth and relaxed hair as your new growth continues to grows. In this article, I will discuss the top 5 benefits of transitioning.
The 5 benefits of transitioning to natural hair are:
5. Allows time for (re)education. This component is CRUCIAL – and grossly underrated. Growing up, you may have learned a lot of bad, ineffective hair care habits and techniques that will hinder and discourage you along your natural hair journey. Taking the time to understand the fundamentals and the basics of natural hair care will be valuable knowledge that will build a solid foundation for your natural hair journey for years to come. Physically transitioning from relaxed hair to natural hair is a slow process that moves you through your journey at an average rate of ½ an inch of new growth per month. Use this time to acquaint yourself with the different processes, techniques and product ingredients of natural hair care and maintenance.
4. Allows little to no change in your current routine. When starting your natural hair journey, there is very little change to your hair care routine – minus the relaxer, of course. You will be able to style and care for your hair as usual. This is a great comfort because there is no immediate need to adjust what you’re currently doing.
3. Transition those close to you. Who doesn’t need time for this one? Sometimes the ones that are closest to you (family and friends) have the hardest time seeing us different and/or accepting our changes. Transitioning allows your family and friends to mentally prepare to see you slowly change and witness your evolution on your natural hair journey. Take this time to talk to your loved ones about the information you are enlightened with and why you choose to go natural. Sparking conversation about what you are learning indirectly allows them to take part in your natural hair journey. When you share the news with your family and speak to them informatively, this will definitely jump start your mental journey as well give you courage about your decision to grow and maintain your natural hair.
2. Allows you to keep your length. You know, just being honest, this statement can also be just a down right lie. Specifically, if you don’t take care of both textures or if the new growth is neglected. There are some ingredients that you will need to avoid because of harshness and further making your new growth dry and brittle; while trying to sustain the healthy state of your relaxed ends. You may have to trim your relaxed ends. Don’t be afraid. This can help preserve your hair strands and can be a benefit instead of a detriment. Consider getting a trim before you start your natural hair transition just so you know what freshly trimmed hair looks like. This will be your guide as your journey progresses on.
1. Less shock to hair loss. Many women make the statement, “I can’t see myself with short hair.” This is an honest statement that is very valid. It is ultra-important that each woman feel beautiful during each phase of their natural hair journey. When you decide to transition from relaxed to natural hair, you give yourself time to decide when you are ready to emotionally take it to the next step.
Related articles:
7 Simple Steps To Going Natural
7 Tips To Improve Your Natural Hair Journey
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About Jael
I am considering going natural. My main reason is because I am thinning at the crown. I am considering allowing my perm to grow out and then transitioning into sister locks. Would the locks be too much stress on thinning hair?
Hi Regina,
I would definitely consult a Sisterlock technician. It is more of an interlocking of sorts vs. palm rolling. Make your concerns known to the person you plan to have start your them and decided then if they are right for you. You want to avoid adding additional stress to any area that is thinning. Be sure to let us know how your consultation goes. Just out of curiosity, why did you decide on Sisterlocks?
Jael
Hi. The first time I had my hair relaxed I was two years old. My mother claimed it was too nappy to deal with, since then, I have always have my hair relaxed up until the time I was eleven years old in 7th grade, my hair was brittle and rough and beginning to drop. My mother and I decided to cut it all off. So during the summer break before 8th grade she took me to a female barber who cut it only leaving about a half an inch. She bought texterizer and would texterize my hair every 6-8 weeks. As it grew I began putting it up in a little curly puff and loved it. It was just like being natural.
I’m 13 now and will be 14 on January 25, last year, November my mother decided my hair needed to be texterized again. During time my hair was becoming more natural because I hadn’t texterized in about 3 months. But first we wanted to go to a barber to get my hair trimmed, just a little off the ends. At that time my hair was about 4-5 inches in length. The barber cut off most of my hair leaving only about a inch or half an inch. But even though I was upset, I figured it wouldn’t be to bad because the texterizer would curl it up and it would be fine, I’d just have wait for it to grow again. My mother left the te texterizer on my hair too long and my hair came out straight. At this point I was in tears. Right now I just roller set my hair and its frustrating dealing with my straight hair I have limited options. How can my transition be easier.?