How can I transition from relaxed to natural hair?
There are only two ways to achieve this:
The easiest and fastest way is to simply cut off all straight hair in one go. If your new growth is short, you can opt for protective styles like cornrows, twists or coil twists.
If you choose to keep your relaxed hair while you wait for new growth, then be aware that your hair is more fragile. Minimise the amount of heat you use, don’t comb your hair too much and keep it well-moisturised.
Natural Hair Dos and Don’ts
Dos:
- Keep hair soft and moist – use lukewarm water when washing it.
- Air-dry and avoid towel-drying.
- Use protective styles 5 days a week.
- Massage the scalp for 10mins a day.
Don’ts:
- It’s less damaging to detangle wet hair that when it’s dry.
- Use a wide-tooth comb to get rid of knots.
- Limit the use of heat as that causes splits ends and breakage.
- Avoid sulfate shampoos and reduce daily styling.
How can I maintain a healthy afro?
Healthy hair require a maintenance plan with a good daily, weekly and monthly regime. It is not the result of “good” hair or “good genes”. Use a deep conditioner or hair mask weekly. Apply the product, pop on a shower cap and sit under a hair dryer for 20 minutes. If you don’t have a hair dryer then just leave the shower cap on for an extra 30 minutes to allow your body heat to do the job. The heat allows the hair shaft to swell so the treatment can penetrate the hair shaft.
What about a Nighttime regime?
Apply a nourishing product or treatment to the mid lengths and ends, then wrap the hair with a satin or silk scarf to ensure it traps your body heat, to assist the product in penetrating the hair shaft more easily. Avoid cotton pillows as they suck out moisture. Use a satin one instead.
How can to prevent breakage?
The points where the hair curls and twists are the most fragile. The curlier the hair, the more susceptible it is to breakage. Pulling it when it’s in knots can cause breakage.
Wash your hair every second week, do a deep penetrating treatment once a month, nourish your scalp on a regular basis using a good natural oil, massage your scalp to promote blood circulation and natural oil secretion. Place a firm hand on the scalp and move the scalp, not the hair.
Apply the conditioner or hot oil treatment to the hair and scalp. cover with a plastic cam and sit under a dryer for 20 minutes.
Don't forget to trim your ends!
