So you’ve
made it to month 6. Congratulations! Transitioning your hair from relaxed to
natural can be a lengthy process, but the outcomes are well worth it. In this
blog post, I continue my previous post by offering some suggestions and tips on
what to expect during months 6-9 of your transition.
What to
Expect Months 6-9:
Significant
new growth
Your new growth should now be very visible – probably in the length of 6 to 8 inches. In
fact, you will likely have no more relaxed hair at the back of your head by
now. This is an exciting turning point! Embrace your new kinks and curls.
New styling
techniques
There are
three important things to remember during this stage: shampoo your hair at
least once per week, get a trim every 6 to 8 weeks*, and refrain from using
heavy moisturizers.
Test out
new looks
If you’d
like, it’s fine to continue to wear your hair straight. But if you’d like to
start trying out new styles, now is the time. Have some fun with your natural
hair and embrace your new texture.
What to
Expect Months 9 – 12:
Turned the
corner
At this
point, you’ve past the major hurdle and turned a corner. Your hair is now more
natural than relaxed and it should be easier to manage. Your styles are likely
lasting longer – especially if you’ve been shampooing regularly.
New styling
techniques
It’s
important to keep up with regular trims. Every 6 to 8 weeks* you should be visiting
a salon for maintenance.
Going
natural is a journey
It’s a journey
that will take patience and regular maintenance in order to benefit from all
the joys of natural hair – from its versatility, to its health to its beauty.
Having a solid plan, a trusted stylist and willingness to learn about your own
hair will go a long way toward achieving a smooth transition!
*Sabrina’s Notes:
I only get trims twice a year with my 2nd one coming up next month. Some need more and some may even need less. If you are not adding chemicals, heat styling or over-manipulating, trims may not be necessary as often as suggested.
What challenges are you facing in year one? Let’s discuss below!
Sabrina
