Q&A for How to Go from Relaxed Hair to Natural

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How can can I care for really thick curly and wavy hair?

Ndeye Anta Niang
Hair Stylist & Master Braider
Ndeye Anta Niang is a Hair Stylist, Master Braider, and Founder of AntaBraids, a traveling braiding service based in New York City. Ndeye has over 20 years of experience in African hair including braiding box braids, Senegalese twists, crochet braids, faux dread locs, goddess locs, kinky twists, and lakhass braids. Ndeye was the first female of her tribe in Africa to move to America and is now sharing her knowledge of African braids passed on from generation to generation.

Ndeye Anta Niang

Hair Stylist & Master Braider

Expert Answer

Try to avoid straightening it when it's not really necessary. Detangle your hair regularly and nourish it to keep it soft without twisting it up or creating knots. Other than that, just condition and wash your hair regularly and treat it with love!

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Question

Should I wash my hair once a week or every day?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

When growing out your hair, washing as infrequently as possible will help retain moisture. Most people with natural curls can wait a week between washings.

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Question

How do I turn permed hair into natural hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Unfortunately you can't undo or reverse the effects of a perm, you just have to wait for it to grow out.

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Question

Will wearing wigs occasionally effect the transition from relaxed to natural hair?

Community Answer

No, wearing wigs, sew-ins, or braids will not affect your transition because they are protective styles that help to cover up your new growth. Just stay away from glue-in products.

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Question

How does coconut oil help your hair to grow?

Community Answer

It helps moisturize your hair, which makes it stronger and healthier.

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Question

If I have become natural and my hair has grown, can I go back to a perm?

Community Answer

You can if you choose to, but if you've grown out your natural hair, realize that putting chemicals in it will just weaken it again.

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Question

How short is the "big chop" exactly?

Community Answer

It depends on how much relaxed hair you have. The "big chop" should remove all of your relaxed hair, leaving only your natural hair behind, however short it might be.

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Question

How can I change my relaxed hair back to its natural state?

Community Answer

Once the hair is relaxed, there is no going back. The only thing you can do is grow out your hair and slowly cut off the relaxed parts or do the big chop as the article has stated.

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Question

I want to change my relaxed hair to natural, but l don't want to cut the relaxed hair. What can I do?

Community Answer

You can wait until your roots grow out long enough, and then maybe you will be comfortable with a haircut.

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Question

I used a cream relaxer to blow out my hair. At the back it doesn't grow well, and it has breakage. I want to grow natural hair without having to cut all my hair! What should I do?

Community Answer

Design Essentials STS Express Smoothing System is an excellent option for transitioning from relaxed to natural, providing hair with maximum strength, manageability, frizz control, heat protection and shine. It will equalize the strand at the line of demarcation, aiding in breakage elimination as you slowly trim, with the ultimate goal of a healthy head of natural hair from root to end. Keep in mind though, relaxed hair does not revert itself, once chemically reformed there's no return. However, with this system you can maintain length and slowly trim with ease.

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Question

How do I untangle my badly matted and tangled hair?

Community Answer

First, make sure you're hair is completely wet, then add a deep conditioner or just any conditioner. Next, section your hair into 4 or 6 parts and gently pull apart the sections of your hair again and again until you're left with nicely finger-detangled hair. Then, use a wide toothed comb to finish the job and you're done.

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Question

Will my natural hair come back within three months?

Community Answer

You natural hair will start to appear within 3 months but only expect up to 2-3 inches of new growth.

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Question

My hair was nice and moisturized for a while, then it became all dry and frizzy. How do I get it back to being moisturized?

Community Answer

Once a week or depending on your hairstyle, deep condition your hair and switch to shampoos that are sulfate free.

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Question

What can I do to remove dandruff from my natural hair?

Community Answer

You can simply buy dandruff shampoo. That should correct the problem.

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Question

Do I still have to cut my hair first if I already have my hair above shoulder length?

Community Answer

Only if you want to. You only cut you hair once natural hair has started growing, then it is your choice.

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Question

I am transitioning in 3 months from relaxer to natural hair. Is it too soon to put in box braids?

Community Answer

Three months is just the correct waiting period when it comes to box braids. If you were to do it sooner, then your new, fragile growth would suffered from the unfamiliar weight of the braids. When inserting, make sure that it is not painful and as comfortable as can be, or else you will quickly find that your efforts for protective styling are in vain.

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Question

Will my hair become natural after a few months, or do I have to cut it off first?

Community Answer

It will take much longer than a few months, but you don't have to do the big chop.

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Question

How do I stop so much of my hair from falling out?

Community Answer

Stop using a brush to refine your hair. Instead, use a comb to style it loosely.

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Question

How long would it take to get my natural curls back after the big chop?

Community Answer

It depends on your genetics and how well you take care of it, but I would expect at least a few months.

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Question

I have not permed my hair this year. Will it start to look natural with time?

Community Answer

Yes. You may have to chop your hair from time to time, so your natural hair has the space to grow again.

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Question

I asked a hairdresser how to turn my hair natural, and she said I should use malt and egg yolk. Is this true?

Community Answer

Once your hair has been chemically relaxed, you can't get back your natural hair until you grow it out again.

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Question

How do I figure out my hair porosity?

Community Answer

Get a glass of water and drop a strand of hair in. If it sinks, it has a high porosity. If it goes to the middle, it has a normal porosity. If it floats, it has a low porosity.

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Question

Can I wait to do my big chop?

Community Answer

Yes, that's called transitioning.

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Question

How do I make my hair look less messy?

Community Answer

I like to twist my hair and wear a headband. You could also do some braids.

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Question

How can I transition to natural hair is I have used a texturizer?

Community Answer

You can transition back to natural hair with trimming regularly or considering the big chop. Also, oiling your hair daily can increase hair growth. In due time, you'll start to notice new growth.

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Question

How long should I wait for my new growth before I decide to attempt to cut out my perm?

Community Answer

You should wait until your length is what you are comfortable with so that the cut does not seem so big.

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Question

If I leave my relaxed hair for a year without retouching it, would it become natural again?

Community Answer

Yes, the new hair would be relaxed, but the permed hair will stay on your head unless you cut it off (or it breaks off).

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Question

How can I comb my hair when going natural?

Community Answer

Start at ends and work up to the roots. Trust me, it's easier this way, my roots get matted all the time.

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Question

What is the best product to use?

Community Answer

If transitioning to natural hair, there are actually many products made specifically for this process. I'm currently going back to natural and I'm using a transitioning moisturizer. It says "shea moisture, back to nautral." Also, natural oils such as coconut, castor, and shea can help with natural hair; castor oil especially brings back strength and thickness to the strands.

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Question

My hair is above shoulder-length and is currently relaxed. My mom and hairstylist decided to put a relaxer in my hair. To get it natural again, will I have to start all over again?

MrsLevitan Boss

Community Answer

Unfortunately, you will. To prevent this, try to convince your mom why you want your hair natural.

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