I decided to compile a page that answers many of the questions I am constantly asked…
How Long Does it Take to Transition?
That will vary due to your length and how long you want your hair to be when you cut off the remaining relaxed ends.
Hair grows 1/2″ per month on average. So if you want 10 inches of natural hair before you chop off your ends, you’ll need to transition for 20 months.
Also keep in mind that natural hair can shrink up to 50 to 80% of its length. So 10 inches of natural hair is not the same as 10 inches of relaxed hair.
So you may choose to transition longer to get the desired hang length you want.
How Should I Wear My Hair While Transitioning?
Low manipulation styles like flat twists, bantu knot outs, pin-ups and any style that uses no heat and leaves your ends tucked away are great.
Protective styles where your ends are tucked away are even better. Learn the difference between protective and low-manipulation styles here.
I always wore styles that didn’t require combing and manipulation. The less you manipulate your hair, the better.
Rod sets were my favorite. It’s a great transitioning hairstyle because you don’t use heat (except for sitting under the dryer) and it blends your two textures well.
Check out this page for hairstyle ideas and tutorials.
Is it Safe to Transition With Braids/Extensions?
Yes. Just don’t get them done too tight and after you take them down, let your hair rest for a month or two.
While your hair is braided up, keep it moisturized by spraying it with water (yes, water is a natural moisturizer) and sealing it with natural oils and butters. (I love Jane Carter’s Nourish and Shine.)
It also won’t hurt to deep condition your hair as well. It will keep your hair from being so dry when you take the braids/extensions down.
Here is a guide I wrote to managing your hair and protecting it while it’s in extensions or braids.
What Are the Best Transitioning Products?
No one can tell you what products to use. You have to experiment and see how your hair responds to different ingredients. What works for someone else may react differently on your hair.
Try to experiment with products from the same line because they often work well together.
Just keep these things in mind…
- Buy sulfate-free shampoos because sulfates dry your hair out (Giovanni’s line is my favorite.)
- Keep your hair moisturized (Shea Moisture is a great brand. Get it at Walgreens or Target)
- Deep condition weekly
- Try a transitioning kit to strengthen and moisturize your hair
- Look for product labels that say “moisturizing” and have water as one of the first ingredients
- After you apply a moisturizer, add a natural oil on top to seal in the moisture
Can I Do a Twist Out/Braid Out on Transitioning Hair?
You sure can. Just add perm rods to the end. Here’s my tutorial on a two strand twist out.
How Do I Stop My Transitioning Hair From Shedding/Breaking?
First of all, make sure you identify if it’s shedding or breakage. Breakage is normal and happens when your hair snaps off at the point where your natural and relaxed hair meet.
And the longer you transition, the more breakage you will probably have. So don’t let it alarm you.
You may be able to minimize some of it by using a protein treatment (Aphogee has a great system) and I use a homemade treatment. Also make sure you are deep conditioning your hair once a week and no less than every other week.
I also pre-poo my hair before shampooing. That’s the process of adding conditioner (I use the cheap ones) and/or oil to your hair to strengthen it before you shampoo it.
Be sure to keep your ends trimmed. If they are split, that will accelerate the breakage. Having healthy ends will not only minimize breakage, but will make your styles look more polished.
If your hair is shedding from the root, that may not necessarily be related to the transition so make sure you seek help from a professional to get more advice.
And finally, keep your hair moisturized.
How Can I Get My Styles to Last Longer?
Check out this article for tips on getting more mileage out of your hairstyles.
My Hair Feels So Dry. How Do I Keep it Moisturized?
Dryness occurs for several reasons…
1) Some people have more dry natural textures than others.
2) It may be time for a deep conditioning treatment.
3) You may be suffering from product overload. Clarify your hair once a month with a clarifying shampoo to thoroughly cleanse your hair. You can normally find these at Whole Foods or a professional beauty supply store (Ulta, etc.)
Coating your hair with too many products can dry it out and even cause breakage. Plus, you won’t really know what’s working and what’s not.
4) Your hair is not properly moisturized. Remember, moisturizers have water as one of the first ingredients. Also, natural oils are not moisturizers. They are sealants and should be applied after your moisturizer.
Read product labels and don’t buy anything that contains mineral oil or petroleum/petrolatum.
Not everyone’s hair responds poorly to mineral oil and other “bad ingredients”, but mineral oil is often known as a “wanna-be moisturizer” because it doesn’t penetrate the hair. Your hair may feel moisturized at first, but dries out quickly.
Check labels on products before you buy. You will be surprised how many companies use these ingredients. They are cheap to produce and preserve well — that’s why they are very popular.
My hair does not respond negatively to these ingredients, but if you are struggling with dryness, try eliminating them to see if you notice a difference.
And finally, apply the moisturizer while your hair is slightly damp. It will penetrate better because water is moisture. Then re-apply as needed. Here are some great moisturizers…
Jane Carter Nourish and Shine
Shea Moisture Leave In Conditioner
Qhemet Biologics Amla and Olive Heavy Cream
Oyin Hair Dew
Read more about moisturizing transitioning hair.
5) Find out if you have high or low porosity hair because that will determine how your hair responds to products.
Here are some more tips so you can learn how to stop/prevent breakage.
How Can I Tell What My Texture Is Like?
You won’t really get to see your true texture until your relaxed ends are completely gone. First of all, your texture may change slightly as your hair becomes healthier.
Second, the relaxed ends weigh the hair down, so your hair may actually be curlier/kinkier when you chop them off.
Also, if your hair feels very course, you might have scab hair. This is temporary and may go away 6-12 months after you stop relaxing. It varies from person to person.
Be patient. Your hair will continue to evolve as you go through the transition.
And finally, don’t get caught up in trying to achieve someone else’s texture. More than likely, yours will probably be different. Learn to embrace your own because you cannot change it.
Why Isn’t My Hair Growing?
Remember that if your hair is very kinky, it will grow out and not down like relaxed hair. So it may seem like your hair is not growing when it is. And if you are trimming your hair regularly, it may seem as if you are stuck at the same length.
Trust me. Your hair is growing. If you are indeed not gaining any length, it’s because your hair is breaking off on the ends.
Read more about black hair growth here.
Can I Make My Hair Grow Faster?
Everyone has an optimal hair growth rate that is promoted by a healthy diet (fruits, lean meats and vegetables), exercise, a clean scalp and drinking lots of water.
However fast your hair grows when you are taking care of your body is your optimal growth rate, but nothing is going to speed up growth beyond that.
So if you are not eating healthy and exercising, yes, you can speed up growth to reach your optimal rate. But don’t be fooled by these products that promise miracle growth.
You will achieve your own optimal hair growth rate naturally by doing the things I mentioned above.
How Often Should I Trim My Hair?
Try to trim your hair every 6-8 weeks — especially if you have excess breakage. Sometimes I trimmed my hair twice a month because it was in very bad shape.
Don’t try to hang onto your ends for length. It’s only going to get worse as the breakage travels up the shaft, which will cause even more breakage.
How Do I Manage Tangles?
As your hair grows out, it will be more prone to tangling. The best way to avoid too many tangles is to prevent them before they start. Check out this article.
Still Have Questions?
I created an even more detailed page on what you need to know when you start transitioning. You can post your questions below the post after you join the forum.
Hi, I just a have a question. I’m currently 4 months into my transitioning journey, and my mother is against this because she says that I’ve never had curly hair to begin with. I’m not sure if it’s because of all the straightening, or just the fact that she doesn’t believe that I’ve ever had curly hair, and that this journey would be a waste of time. Can/Should I still continue this journey if I’m not sure I’ve ever had curly hair to start with?
You definitely should continue! Honestly, you’ll probably never know your true texture until you transition fully. If it’s what you want to do, then go for it!
Hi, I’m having a huge problem. I’ve been natural for over a year but I’ve noticed that my hair when straightened is very then but doesn’t look that way when in its natural curly state. I use products like shay moisture and As I Am. It concerns me because when i. Relaxed hair it was fuller thicker. What can i do? Really considering going bk to perms please help.
Try to do more treatments in your hair so that it grows
Hi lisa,I love all the helpful info you have provided, you are so transparent with your hair journey , and it is very encouraging. THANK YOU! I have had a relaxer since I was 6 yrs old and I am now 29. Like you, I had long thick hair all my life. After having my 2 children I begin to notice the relaxers taking a bad toll on my hair. My hair began to get really thin and not grow as quickly. I am in the very early stages of transitioning. I have not had a relaxer in about 12 weeks now, ( so proud of myself so far). I have been washing and conditioning with TGIN. I will also begin using ETAE carmulex a pre poo treatment once a month. I still go to my hair dresser every three weeks and have her just wash and condition it and I then sit under the dryer with big rollers and she bumps it afte( I refuse to straighten my own hair, at home I just do the twist outs with spiral rollers or wash and go ) . My question to you is HOW OFTEN SHOULD I BE GETTING IT TRIMMED? I have been noticing some excessive breaking and shedding which I know now to be normal with the transitioning, and I am hopeful this will stop as I continue to wash and deep condition and keep my hair moist..(I recently purchased a sample shea moisture curly and thick hair pudding. I will not give up so any helpful advice is welcomed) I do not want to do the big chop. But I do know you have to keep it trimmed to stop split ends. Normally I was getting it trimmed every 15-18 wks. I want to do all I can to promote strong healthy natural hair, please help!
Hi Marcia
First do a protein treatment if you haven’t done one in 6 weeks or more. That will strengthen your hair. I do one with one beat egg yolk, a tablespoon of mayo, honey, and olive oil. I leave on my hair before shampooing. It does strengthen my hair. If your hair is still breaking, then trim it to the point where it’s breaking. How often you need to trim will depend on how much breakage. But I try to dust my ends monthly. That means take off a smidgen so your ends stay healthy but you still gain length. If you are wearing your hair out a lot then you may have to trim more because your ends will wear faster. But if you are wearing more protective styles like pin ups, etc. you may need to trim less.
Go by how much breakage you are seeing. If you aren’t seeing a lot, no need to trim. But trimming a small amount monthly will keep the hair healthy. Hope that helps.
Hello,
I was wondering how many times do you do the hair washing reconditioning process
Depending on your hair you should deep condition once a week and for me I usually wash my hair with shampoo every month and condition every week.
Hi I am beginning my transition and I am not sure if it is because I am transitioning that my hair is itchy REALLY ITCHY or if it is for other reason. So my question would be when transitioning does your hair become more itchy ?
Hi , I’m 17 and I recently decided to go natural I’m in the transitioning faze. I don’t have much support with going natural but I’m content with doing it ! The last I had a perm was in November I like wearing curls so I flexi rod my hair and sit under the dryer it come out cute but it only last for a day is there any styles that you can help with that would last long? My hair is not the shortest and it’s not the longest so doing a lot of styles be problems can you please help?!?
My hair is about arm pit length and when I want to maintain my hairstyle over night i do the pineapple method and that’s when you out your hair in a ponytail all the way to the top of your head
Hi,
I’m six months post keratin treatment (I’ve never had a relaxer). I got a keratin treatment three years ago when I was 15 and now I’ve decided to transition but I don’t know how to braid my hair neatly and my hair is EXTREMLY thick. I only wear it in ponytails now but that’s starting to get hard to do because of its fullness as the natural grows out. I’ve looked at youtube videos but the truth is these people have half the amount of hair I have and rod sets, twist outs, braid outs, look big and crazy on my roots and thin and stringy on the ends. I’m a college student in San Francisco, so going to salons is expensive. Does anyone have any products, styles, or advice in general. I feel I should just big chop so I don’t have to deal with two textures but when I told my mom I wanted to BC, she said my face and head is too big for a short afro and now I’m scared about how I would look.
Hi, I was wondering what to do with my hair at night? I can’t braid and it’s half natural and half permed at this point. I have a big problem with my hair getting matted and breaking off when I try to come out the matted parts.
Try a satin cap but make sure it isn’t too lose in your head if you have to tie it .Also, make sure it isn’t too tight if that doesn’t work for you.You can also use satin scarfs and pillows.
Hi, Lisa I recently took a trip to NY and my hair became matted because I didn’t know how to take care of it properly; so there is this area of hair that is gone not completely bald but quite near. I am 17 years old and I’ve received perms for as long as I can remember but I would like to transition to natural hair without having to do the “major chop”. So my question is how can I do this? I’ve always gone to a beautician so I don’t really know how to care for my own hair but I am willing to learn if that’s what it takes to get it back healthy and at the length that I want.
Hello! I’m 16 years old and haven’t had a perm since May of 2013, in August I had some braids in my hair and decided that after I took them out in October, I was going to begin “going natural”. I want to transition, I do not want to do the big chop. Since October, I just go to my beautician and she washes it and flat irons it. So basically, it always “looks” as if I have a perm. Though I don’t get perms anymore, I’m not doing anything for it to seem like I’m going natural. I just need help on what to do and where to start… I just need help all around with this process!!
You need to stop going to the salon and do it yourself. STOP putting that heat on your hair. Honey if I can do it, I know anyone can. And I did the BC. Look on youtube and see how some of the girls do their hair. Thats what I did. You can do it. I know you can. It will take some time, but you can do it.My last perm was May 2012 and I did the BC in August 2012. So give it a try.
Thank you so much! I figured I needed to stop going to the salon. I’m going to give it a try.
Just stay away from that HEAT, and you will be find.Also look at the youtube and it will help you a lot. Good Luck.
I certainly will and thanks again!
Well said Wanda!
I have been natural for almost 3 years now. Instead of doing the big chop, I transitioned. I try to get my ends trimmed every 6 weeks. Currently, I’ve been wearing twist outs. While my hair is wet, the ends are coiled, however, once I two strand twist my hair, the ends are no longer curled. This forces me to use rods at the end of the twists. Please help. Any advice?
Hi Lisa,
My daughter is 7 and I am thinking of going natural with her. The question is in the past I have used just for me the texturizer. I would say no more than maybe 4 times on her hair. To transition her over to be natural what would have to do? Do I cut her or just keep letting it grow?
Hello, my name is Denise, and I’m a sixteen year old high school student, living in Ghana. I often braid my hair in twists with extensions, due to my busy schedule at school, and I don’t usually take out these braids for about 2 months. I’d like to know how I can condition my braids, and keep it dandruff free, because I don’t wash my braids, as it makes my hair extremely tangled and knotted when I remove it.
If you could try to keep the braids in for 1 month you might see a chance. Try and use a shampoo for dandruff . And Prepoo It should make your detangling process easier. Also, try and use a conditioner with slip aka slippery conditioner.
hello Lisa,
I am 9 months relaxer free. I did a DC, do I shampoo after wash or just water it out
Thanks
Hello,
I have been transitioning for a year and I feel great about everything I’ve done thus far. Your information has been very informative and enlightening. I am seeking products that are good for dry scalp because I have always battled that (even with permed hair). I am also struggling a little in the styling area…I generally go and get blow-outs because it’s easy for me to manage, but I would like to start trying protective styles. My concern is getting something that will put stress on the area where the two textures meet. Thus far I have not had too much breakage and I want to keep that to a minimum. Any suggestions?
Hi there,
I’ve actually been thinking about transitioning for a few months now, but today I officially set it in stone. I’m 17 and live in Jamaica. And so very excited to be going back. My hair hasn’t been relaxed in six week and three years ago when it was natural was fine and very very kinky. So kinky in fact that when extended the strand almost quadrupled in length.
I’m not prone to breakage, shedding or split ends for some reason and trim pretty regularly.
Do you have any suggestions to help my transition smooth?
Hello! I’m 24. I have been transitioning for about 10 months now. This is my second time and this time I am sticking to it. The problem with hair is that it holds oil but my scalp does not. My scalp is always flaky and dry after a week or two of washing. Also my edges come out easily when I wear my braids. This is how I am transitioning. I don’t get them done to tight but I think after a while when I style them and such it starts to pull my hair out. I just started going back to the hair dresser to get it washed, conditioned and pressed. I don’t like to use a lot of heat any more either because I want it to grow and become healthier. I also Like the rod curls a lot too. I often get frustrated with it especially when it tangles up at the roots or when I sweat my hair is back where it was. But what should I do about my dry scalp, tangle, and loss edges?
Hi Dominique, for dry scalp go here https://napturallycurly.com/2012/04/get-rid-of-dandruff-natural-hair/ For thin edges, try rubbing jamaican black castor oil (or regular castor oil) into your edges nightly. Your braids are too tight and causing alopecia so it’s important to stop this process before you have permanent hair loss. Sounds like you have already stopped so that’s good. Then once you stop getting the braids (or get them done looser) you can begin the castor oil treatment.
Have you ever thought of doing a straw or rod set? This is a fabulous transitioning style that is low maintenance and heat-free (except for sitting under the dryer).
Yes. I have tried the aphogee protein treatment. Only once so far. Thanks for the advice. i will need to visit a professional because if there isnt any underlying condition causing my hair to thin, then it is breaking badly, or I have tried too many different products. Are there any products to help thicken my relaxed hair? I have tried Ion thickening products, doo-gro thickening oil, and nutri-ox.
I just recently decided I would go natural. Its only been 2 months since my last relaxer. I have been getting relaxers all my life. Im 23 and Ive been getting them since I was 2 or 3. My hair is becoming extremely thin (has been for a few months now) and very unattractive no matter what products I use or how often I trim it. I am worried that during this transition, my relaxed hair will continue thinning and I wont be able to style it. My hair is kind of long. But its so thin and limp. My ponytails look pathetic. I dont know what to do.
Hi Brenda, have you tried a protein treatment? Aphogee makes one and you can google a recipe for natural or transitioning hair (with eggs, etc.) Maybe strengthening your hair may help save it. If a trim and protein treatment won’t do you may want to consider big chopping. You can always get extensions until you have the length you desire.
No point in trying to nurture damaged ends because if they are to the point where they are beyond repair, it’s going to be stressful trying to save them. You also may want to consider going to a stylist who is skilled with natural/transitioning hair. Hard to diagnose your issue through this site. You may need a one on one.
I would like to start my transition process, but I just don’t know how. Can you tell me what I should do first?
This will help you.
https://napturallycurly.com/forums/showthread.php/844-New-to-Transitioning-Start-Here!
Try black Jamaican castor oil check out YouTube and google for ways to add it with your haircare regimen. I use it twice a day by massaging it mixed with olive and sweet almond oil around my edges.
Hi Lisa. I have been transitioning for the last 6 months. Despite my own hair growing back as I transition I can hardly see any improvement on my hair line that has been receding lately. Could you be having any advice on how I can grow my hairline back? Thanks
Try black Jamaican castor oil check out YouTube and google for ways to add it with your haircare regimen. I use it twice a day by massaging it mixed with olive and sweet almond oil around my edges.
is organics olive oil shampoo a good shampoo to use?
I’ve never used their shampoo but I use their Root Stimulator for deep conditioning and love it.
Hello Lisa,
I have been transitions for 15 months and so far so good just been earring ponytails most of the time. I also got to a Dominican salon from time to time like every 4 months. Well today I washed my hair and just went to the salon 2 weeks ago and I had a lot of breakage. Not sure why so much this time. Please help what should I do from here
Hi Toni
Dominican blowouts are way too much heat for transitioning hair and the longer your transition, the weaker your hair becomes. That’s why you had so much breakage. I would seriously consider wearing straw or rod sets or some style that requires no heat. I’m afraid the blowout could also be altering your natural hair pattern and prevent curls. You don’t want this to happen if you plan on wearing your hair in twists and kinky styles. I would look for a stylist that specializes in natural or transitioning hair. There are many options besides blow outs.
Thank you very much I did find a stylist who told me the same thing. Have a great Day!!!
Hi. I’m a young transitioner (11),with not much support from my family. My mother is letting me go natural but it’s “My Problem”.I REALLY need help with my transition.How do I get my hair detangled without breakage.
Thanks,
Jay
Hi Jacoby-Tiara
I have a page on detangling that will help https://napturallycurly.com/transitioning-from-relaxed-to-natural-hair/how-to-detangle-transitioning-and-natural-hair/