How To Go From Relaxed Hair To Natural Hair Successfully

You hear about going natural a lot in our conversations among black and brown women whether online, in salons or in small groups. Despite the love for rocking our natural tresses, the reality is that Natural Hair Problems do exist and too often black women are allowing those problems to plague their journey.  

The Purpose Of The Pre-Poo For Natural Hair

So, does this mean going natural is HARD? Is there a really a hurdle that keep several black and brown women from no longer using chemicals to alter their tresses for maintenance? Are curlier or looser textures really the only reason some women can go natural and others cannot?

No. Without a doubt, going natural is as hard as you make it and while many factors can allow for easier maintenance, caring for your natural texture can be made harder if certain things are not implemented. Here’s a list on solid tips to make this journey not just worthwhile but easier.

Make Sure To Accept Your Natural Texture

I hate this is even a ‘thing’, but there are some women who will not go natural if their hair is not curly enough. Many feel hair texture like 4B or 4C is hard to care for. That’s not true as all hair needs maintenance and work. Many find after they adapt a workable routine and style they see progress. Washday is hardest for most so that may be your biggest challenge but just like anything worth it, it takes patience a plan. Accepting your own texture is accepting yourself.

Do Not Neglect Your Hair

Unfortunately, here is where many find their natural hair problems You cannot neglect natural hair and expect it to be flourish. It will tangle, matt up, become dry, brittle and/or break off. You can cover it up with braids, wigs and weaves or have it up in protective styles but if you are not washing and moisturizing it then it can turn against you and seem hard to maintain.

4 Simple Tools For Natural Hair Tangles

Deep conditioning, washing regularly and sealing in the moisture are all heavy-hitters in keeping hair healthy and thriving. Just going natural does not mean you have less maintenance. Hair, whether relaxed or natural needs to be taken care of and never neglected.

You Need To Work With Your Hair & Texture 

Some women barely even see their own hair because they cover it up about 90% of the time with braids, wigs and weaves and then wonder why their edges may be breaking off or their hair is habitually dry. Natural hair needs nurturing so even if you do protective style make sure to give your hair breaks in-between installations. Even though all these tips mentioned are important, one of the biggest natural hair problems women going natural face is never seeing or handling their own hair.

Sounds crazy? Not to the hundred of women who wear their natural hair covered up most of the time. You are natural underneath but if you do not want those wigs and extensions to become your hair, you will need to take them off and get to know your own hair.  Don’t become a slave to the fake hair by never learning to care for your own hair.

This Is A Lifestyle Change. Yes…It Really Is!

While wearing relaxed hair, we had our routines but for some reason many women act like learning a new routine to care for natural hair is a hassle. Seriously? Like we were born with relaxed hair and a manual. We had to learn about relaxed hair too and most of us learned from our mothers. Is it really such a problem to learn about our natural texture?

The Importance Of Moisture & Protein Balance In Natural Hair

If you are not ready to change your hair routine, products and mindset then going natural will be hard. Going natural is a lifestyle change that requires patience and a willingness to learn. If you just want to change your hairstyle then rock a natural wig, weave or crochet braids because going natural will change how you care for your hair in every way possible. From washing, to styling to coloring and cutting, going natural is a lifestyle change and once you understand that, the natural hair problems will begin to fade.

Photo coutresty of Tiajonay

Make Sure To Detangle Correctly, Gently & Thoroughly

Whew…I JUST got off the phone with someone about this. She’s been natural around a year and was having a really hard time with detangling. I explained she needs to be detangling in sections and she was surprised. I told her it would change her life and it most certainly did.  She’s been washing her hair the same way she did when relaxed and that method created even more tangles.

Section hair into four or even six sections and work on detangling, washing or even moisturizing in that fashion to lessen the tangles.  You will notice a big difference and leave you much less frustrated and use wide tooth combs, your fingers or even detangling favorites like SheaMoistur Raw Shea Butter Extra-Moisture Detangler to aid in detangling.

How To Go Natural: The First Most Important Steps

Conclusion

So no, going natural will not be hard if you are ready for a change and the work that it entails. I tire of folks calling all the natural hair problems unworkable and not worth the effort. Natural hair problems can be relieved if you are wiling to learn about your hair, realize this is something new and requires work and have an open mind to the changes.  Going natural means no longer relying on chemicals to maintain your hair and instead, nurturing your natural texture.

How you view it, listen to folks who have gone natural and SUCCEEDED and ready for your natural texture then you will be a happier woman with natural hair!

Did you find going natural hard? Share below!
Sabrina