When transitioning to natural hair, it mainly involves stopping the process of altering your hair followed by gradually trimming off your damaged curls and ends caused by relaxing your afro hair. Whatever many individuals tell you, going natural after manipulating your afro curls for a long time is not easy. While you must start caring for natural rather than relaxed hair, you will also have to learn how to deal with your thoughts and feelings, as this change is hard. So, to make it easier for you to transition to natural hair without opting for the big chop, here are four simple tips that can help you along this journey.
Use Moisturising Products That Won’t Dry Out Your Afro Hair
An essential part of any afro haircare routine is moisturizing your natural hair. If you don't moisturise your afro curls properly, they will become more prone to breakage and split ends, especially once they have been relaxed. Our water-based haircare products will help put the moisture back into your hair. This is because we use plant-based ingredients in our mixtures which are free from harmful ingredients like alcohol, mineral oil, parabens, and sulphates, meaning that they will not irritate your skin.
To start the moisturising process, you could begin with a wash day routine using a pre-poo treatment comprised of an oil-based mixture like our Curling Creme With Coconut & Jamaican Black Castor Oils. Then, use a sulphate-free shampoo like Hydration Shampoo With Manuka Honey to wash this pre-poo mixture off after 30 minutes. Next, follow this up with a post-shampoo conditioner like our Moisture-Rich Conditioner With Manuka Honey & Avocado to achieve healthy, shiny, and hydrated afro hair.
Next, continue protecting your curls with our Leave-In Conditioner with Manuka Honey And Avocado Oil. This conditioner is essential for damaged relaxed hair as it can create a barrier to stop water from leaving. Our leave-in conditioner can be applied to damp or dry hair, and we recommend concentrating on your ends. Our Curling Creme can also be used after the leave-in, as it is a thick oil blend that can keep your natural hair hydrated until your next wash day.
Avoid Using Heat On Your Afro Curls
While transitioning to natural hair, it is best to avoid using heat altogether to prevent further damage to your currently weak strands. Instead, try drying your afro hair without heat using a microfibre towel after your wash day so that any excess water can be absorbed quicker.
Using a microfibre rather than a cotton towel can also diminish the chances of breakage, thinning, and frizz. If you want to maintain a natural curl definition without a heating tool, opt for our Curl Elongating Gel With Flaxseed Oil & Rosewater. This type of mixture can also stretch your curls naturally and can be used to touch up your curls with moisture on the days you are not washing your afro hair.
Adopt Protective Styles And Trim Your Hair Regularly To Make Transitioning Easy
Going natural immediately after relaxing your hair for so long might shock your system. Instead, opt for protective styles like cornrows, braids, or twists until you are more confident rocking your natural curls. Try applying our Curling Mousse with Flaxseed Oil & Rosewater to help your hair stay fresh & conditioned and, keep on top of your ends by trimming them regularly.
Be Patient And Proceed With Care
Take your time to and to discover which type of products work the best for you. To start this process, keep a diary of products or routines that worked well and didn’t. It’s also a great way to document how far you’ve come in the transitioning process you are starting to lose patience with this journey.
The most important thing to remember is not to give up, as what you are going through is just a phase. A natural hair community on social media like ours can help you with much-needed support.
Never feel that you have to rush the transitioning process. More low-manipulation protective styles can help you stay strong during what can be an awkward journey. But once you emerge on the other side with healthier natural hair, you will understand this process is worth it.