Transitioning from relaxed hair to natural hair can be a challenge if you want to avoid cutting off your relaxed hair. However, with the right approach, you can make the transition easier and less stressful.
The first step is to ensure that your hair is healthy and well-nourished before you make the transition. This means eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and proteins and making sure that you are drinking enough water.
Additionally, a deep conditioning treatment will be beneficial.
Once your hair is healthy and nourished, it’s time to start transitioning. The most common way to do this is through a process called the “big chop”. This means cutting off all of your permed or relaxed hair so that you are left with only natural hair.
This can be a big step and is usually not recommended for those who want to transition without cutting their hair.
An alternative is to gradually trim off the relaxed or permed ends of your hair as your hair grows. This will help prevent breakage and make the transition process smoother. You can also transition with twists, braids, and weaves in order to start blending the relaxed hair with your natural hair.
Once you have completely transitioned, it is important to take care of your hair in order to maintain its health and ensure that you don’t experience any breakage or damage. This means that you should wash and condition your hair regularly, as well as use products specifically designed for natural hair in order to maintain moisture and prevent breakage.
Additionally, you may need to adjust your existing hairstyle routine in order to accommodate the change in your hair.
Following these tips should help you to make the transition from relaxed to natural hair without cutting it.
How do I get my relaxed hair back to natural?
In order to get your relaxed hair back to its natural state, there are a few options. The most popular is the “Big Chop,” which requires cutting off all of the relaxed ends of your hair and then starting over with natural hair.
This may be a good option if you’re looking for an instant transformation back to natural hair. However, if you don’t want to cut off all your hair, you could also transition over time. This involves trimming off the relaxed ends gradually, as your roots start to grow out.
During the transitioning period, you’ll need to be more mindful of your hair care routine, since the new and old textures will require different products and styles. You can maintain your length during this time with hair wraps or protective styles, but it’s best to keep all styling to a minimum.
Additionally, avoid over-manipulation of your hair, such as chemical treatments and heat, to ensure that the relaxed ends don’t cause breakage. To help your hair along the transitioning process, you can use natural hair treatments such as deep conditioners and hot oil treatments.
There are also many products available to help enhance your natural curl pattern and texture, such as curl creams and leave-in conditioners. With the right care and patience, you can achieve a successful return to your natural hair!.
Can I grow out my relaxer without cutting?
Yes, you can grow out your relaxer without cutting your hair. This process will take longer as it will require more frequent trims to maintain the health of your hair and reduce breakage. In the early stages of growing out your relaxer, you might want to deep condition, protein treat, and use moisture-rich hair products to keep your hair hydrated and promote healthy growth.
You should also avoid heat styling and look for leave-in conditioners and oils that can help moisturize your hair. Many people even choose to keep a protective hairstyle such as braids or a weave while they grow out their relaxer to help control the loose curl pattern.
Overall, if you stay consistent with your haircare routine and focus on keeping your hair healthy, you should be able to eventually reach your hair goals.
How do you stop relaxed hair?
Stopping relaxed hair involves a process of transitioning from relaxed to natural hair by either “big chopping”, where you immediately cut off all the relaxed hair, or gradually trimming away the relaxed ends over time until all the relaxed hair is gone.
When transitioning from relaxed hair, it is important to begin taking care of your natural curls with moisturizing products and regularly deep conditioning to prevent breakage. You should also start using gentle shampoos, sulfate-free conditioners and natural oils such as jojoba or coconut oil, and you may also choose to style your hair with heat-free protective styles such as braids, twists and bantu knots.
Avoid using harsh chemicals such as perms, and also limit heat styling tools such as flat irons and curling wands as much as possible. Additionally, The use of satin or silk scarves, bonnets, and pillow cases to protect your hair when you sleep.
Finally, maintaining a proper haircare routine is key to stopping relaxed hair. Make sure to deep condition your hair at least once a week and always follow up with a leave-in conditioner and natural oil such as jojoba or coconut oil.
Be sure to trim your hair as often as necessary in order to reduce split ends and breakage and always use a wide-toothed comb or your fingers to de-tangle your hair.
What can I use to break relaxed hair?
One of the best and most efficient ways to break relaxed hair is to use a protein-based deep conditioning treatment. Protein-based deep conditioning treatments are specifically designed to strengthen hair strands and give them the necessary support to make them stronger.
This type of treatment penetrates the hair shaft to replenish lost moisture, protect hair strands from breakage and provide deep conditioning treatment. It also helps to reduce frizz and improve elasticity, while making the hair feel softer, smoother and easier to style.
You can find a variety of protein-based deep conditioners in the market, but be sure to read the instructions carefully and make sure that it won’t damage your relaxed hair. Additionally, you can also opt for more natural methods such as using honey, aloe vera and oils to help break relaxed hair and make it more manageable.
Can you stop relaxing your hair?
Yes, you can definitely stop relaxing your hair if you so choose. If you do decide to stop, it’s important to note that you may experience breakage during the transition period. This is normal because the chemicals in relaxers weaken and damage the hair strand, so when you decide to stop, the hair strands are more fragile than usual.
It’s therefore important to use moisturizing products and use gentle styling methods during this period to help ensure your hair remains healthy and strong. Additionally, regular deep conditioning treatments, using oil treatments, and cutting off split ends can help keep your hair healthy.
Additionally, it’s important to consider protective styling while transitioning. Protective styles, such as braids, buns, or protective updos can help preserve your length while transitioning. Lastly, it might be wise to see a professional hairstylist or stylist who can help guide you through the process of transitioning to natural.
What does damaged relaxed hair look like?
Damaged relaxed hair can look dull, limp and weak, especially when compared to healthy hair of the same type. It often appears rough, dry, and frizzy, with split ends and breakage. The scalp around relaxed hair may also look dry and flaky, and the individual strands might be brittle when touched.
On light skin, the scalp may appear to have a yellowish hue, whereas on darker skin, it may look ashy and dull. Damaged relaxed hair might also appear to be greasy, but once the grease is washed away, strands appear dry and brittle — a sign that the hair is lacking in much-needed moisture.
Is hair relaxing permanent?
No, hair relaxing is not permanent. Hair relaxers are chemical solutions that are used to break the disulfide bonds in the hair in order to make it straighter and more manageable. While these relaxers can provide a more lasting straightening effect than a blow dryer or flat iron, they are not permanent.
After a certain amount of time, the hair will gradually start to return to its natural texture and curl. Additionally, regularly using hair relaxers can cause damage to the hair, leading to dryness, split ends, and breakage.
For this reason, it is recommended to get a touch up or new treatment every six to eight weeks to maintain the desired results.
Does relaxed hair grow faster than natural hair?
No, relaxed hair does not grow faster than natural hair. Hair growth rate is determined by genetics and health, and is not affected by whether the hair is relaxed or not. Relaxed hair may appear to grow faster because it is already straight and so when it grows, the ends are not as curly and therefore more easily visible, but in reality the growth rate is the same.
That being said, taking good care of your hair and scalp can improve hair growth. This includes regular trims to remove split ends, using gentle low-sulfate shampoo and conditioner, regularly moisturizing with natural oils such as coconut or almond oil, and avoiding excessive heat or chemical treatments.
Additionally, making sure you are eating a balanced diet and getting enough rest, as well as decreasing stress by practicing mindfulness and self-care, can all help promote healthy hair growth.
How long does relaxed hair stay relaxed?
Relaxed hair typically lasts between four to six weeks when properly maintained. Relaxers can be retouched as hair grows, but no sooner than at the 4-week mark. If the relaxer is retouched too soon, it can lead to an over-processed look and dry, brittle hair that’s prone to breakage.
It’s important to remember that maintaining moisturized, conditioned hair is essential to the health of relaxed hair to extend the duration of the relaxer and minimize potential damage. After a relaxer service, use a deep-penetrating conditioner every other week and regular moisturizing treatments to reduce breakage and protect your hair.
Also, avoid using heat styling tools on relaxed hair to reduce the risk of further damage.
Can relaxed hair still be healthy?
Yes, relaxed hair can still be healthy. Depending on the type of chemical relaxers used, it is possible to have relaxed hair that is in good condition. In order for relaxed hair to stay healthy and look its best, it is important to take care of it properly.
Regular deep conditioning treatments and use of hydrating products can help to maintain the healthiness of relaxed hair. Additionally, you should limit the use of heat styling tools and protect your hair from the sun.
If done correctly, relaxed hair can be soft, shiny, and healthy.
Will hair grow back after relaxer burn?
Yes, hair will usually grow back after being burned by a relaxer. Relaxer burn is caused when the caustic solution used in chemical relaxers comes into contact with the scalp and damages the hair follicles.
In most cases, the damage isn’t permanent, and hair will grow back. However, it can take a significant amount of time for the hair to regrow, and it can be difficult to manage in the interim. It’s important to be very careful when using chemical relaxers to ensure that they don’t come into contact with the scalp, and to follow the instructions on the packaging carefully.
Additionally, regular conditioning and deep-conditioning treatments can help to aid regrowth and keep the hair as healthy as possible while it’s growing back.
Should I go natural or stay relaxed?
Making the decision of whether to ‘go natural’ or stay relaxed (chemically-treated) will be a very personal one and depend on your individual lifestyle and needs. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to consider your individual requirements before making a decision.
If you’re looking for an easier way to manage your hair each day, and not have to worry about styling, then staying relaxed may be best for you. Relaxers are quick, and help with detangling, giving your hair a smoother, sleeker finish.
However, relaxers contain harsh chemicals, so it is important to make sure you keep your hair nourished and hydrated.
If you’d like to embrace your natural hair, then going natural may be the best option for you. Natural hair can provide you with more styling options, although daily styling and detangling can be more involved than with relaxed hair.
You may also need to experiment with a few products to figure out what works for your hair, as well as learning how to properly moisturize and nourish your natural hair.
It really is up to your individual needs and lifestyle, and making the right decision will depend on what works best for you. Consider your individual lifestyle, needs and expectations, and go with the option that you feel is most suitable and will give you the best results.