Transition from Chemicals to Natural Hair: What to Expect

Making the decision to transition from chemicals to natural hair is one of the greatest epiphanies one can make on his/her journey to change. Not only are you in for a beautiful head of strands that are thicker and more radiant; you are in for the most magnificent personal journey of your life.

At the end of this journey, you are left feeling more satisfied, at peace, physically and emotionally healthy, beautiful, and affirmed. With success, you will don a full head of nappy hair that you will be proud of. For me, making that ultimate decision and affirming 'I am not going to put relaxers, curls or trend chemicals in my hair, anymore!' 'and meaning it' unveiled love and respect for myself, my hair, my spirit, my crown, and my body that were immeasurable.

We contemplate and play with the idea in the mirror when we take our braids out. We admiringly watch natural sisters and brothers. We imagine what we would look like with nappy hair, we may even buy a wig to help make the vision real. When you finally move from 'maybe I will' to I absolutely am', it is most important to be prepared for what lies ahead in your journey.

1 month

• Average growth ~ ½ inch

• Common hair transition issues ~ breakage, thinning, shedding, dryness, styling dilemmas, scalp issues, scalp yeast.

• Avoid ~ negative attitudes and perceptions towards nappy hair; damaging ingredients like alcohol, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium laureath sulfate, beeswax, petroleum, mineral oil, castile soap; excessive heat, small tooth combs, sponge rollers, bonding glue, permanent hair color, too tight braids and weaves.

• Do ~ trust a professional for a consultation and assessment, comb from ends to root, hot oil treatments every two weeks, trim every six weeks, brush the edges with a toothbrush and pomade, oil based products, 3 days a week moisturize and strengthen. Note: the point where the new growth meets your relaxed hair is the weakest point and among the primary reasons for hair loss in this phase. Be gentle, condition, condition, condition

• Styling options ~ make the big chop, braids, full head hair weaves, pressing, Sisterlocks, extension locks, flat twist, cornrows with or without extension, two strand twists.

• Recommendations ~ Protein and moisture treatments using ingredients like coconut oil, castor oil, olive oil, nettle, rosemary, lemongrass, shea butter, and aloe vera. Apply Lemongrass Pomade to your edges at night with a toothbrush, brush away from your face, tie down, remove scarf in the morning.

Damaged Hair Repair Kit or natural Hair Starter Kit

3 - 6 months

• Average growth ~ 1 ½ - 3 inches

• Common hair transition issues ~ dryness, breakage, hair loss (of relaxed texture), styling issues.

• Avoid ~ negative stereotypes and perceptions about nappy hair, kinky hair, natural, braids, short hair, good hair, bad hair, etc; The temptation to get a touch up; permanent hair color; small tooth combs; products with alcohol, sodium lauryl sulfate, beeswax, petroleum, mineral oil, castile, gels, bonding glue; tight weaves and braids, anyone who tries to persuade you from going natural.

• Do ~ strengthen and moisturize daily, use natural hair products as a rule, and hot oil treatments coupled with moisturizing conditioners every 2 weeks.

• Styling options ~ 'the big chop' with a professional shape and tiny comb coils, braids, human hair extensions (textured and or full head sew ins), lacing, straw sets, rod sets, press or flat iron, Sisterlocks, two strand twists with extension, Lock Extensions, head wraps.

• Recommendations ~ continue to deep condition, strengthen and moisturize. Apply Lemongrass Pomade to your edges at night with a toothbrush, brush away from your face, tie down, remove scarf in the morning.

6 - 9 months

• Average amount of growth ~ 3 inches

• Common hair transition issues ~ dryness, breakage, thinning, hair loss (of relaxed texture), styling issues.

• Avoid ~ the temptation to get a relaxer, products with alcohol, SLS, beeswax, petroleum, mineral oil, castile, hair stylist who try to talk you out of going natural, never comb hair while dry. The faithful combination of oil and water works miracles for nappy hair.

• Do ~ 'stop the bleeding' and cut the relaxer off, monthly hot oil treatments and deep conditioners, daily moisture and strengthening, comb from the end to the root, regular hair trim.

• Styling options ~ highlight color (try henna or other natural/gentle hair color); full natural hair styles like locks, Sisterlocks, comb coils, straw sets, braids, lacing, textured weaves, afro puffs, kinky extension hair styles, textured hair pieces, afros; head wraps.

• We recommend ~ Essential Fatty Acids internally, comb with oil and water mix to detangle (leave in conditioner and healing salve), mix yogurt and fresh lemon in Henna to enhance color and conditioning properties. Apply Lemongrass Pomade to your edges at night with a toothbrush, brush away from your face, tie down, remove scarf in the morning.

9 months +

• Average amount of hair growth ~ 4 ½ inches +

• Common hair transition issues ~ the temptation to get a relaxer, styling issues, dryness.

• Avoid ~ the temptation to get a relaxer, heavy or tight extensions, natural relaxers without professional consultation, products with alcohol, petroleum, mineral oil, beeswax, SLS, castile, tight braids and weaves, perpetrating natural hair stylist.

• Do ~ enjoy your emancipation! Go ahead do your thing! Experiment with styles and all of your options, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize and strengthen daily; trim, braid or twist at night, sleep on satin pillowcase, comb and style with your fingers.

• Styling options ~ full head hair color; all natural styling, locs, sisterlocks, nappy hair puffs, two strand twists, twist out, afros, kinky hair extension styles, textured weaves; head wraps.

• We recommend getting the right products to help you achieve your hair goals. At this stage, with use of the right products and healthy hair habits, you no longer have reasons for hair loss or shedding that you would ordinarily experience. You can have healthy, long, and beautiful nappy hair.

  On your journey to making the shift from chemically treated to no chemicals or straighteners, remember to stay in touch with your gut feelings, do always what is in the best interest of your hair and you, move forward with courage and a lot of love, expect your environment and people around you to change as well, lovingly accept yourself, lovingly accept change.

  For the full line of natural hair products that stop breakage and thinning during the transitioning process, help you transition from chemically treated hair to hair that is natural and chemical free, shop with Saniyyah Naturally.

  Peace, love, and great hair!