Transitioners/naturals who are cutting as they grow ....

[Rapunzel*]

today im 8 months post and my last trim/cut was September 08
and i would like to take off about 1 1/2 to 2 inches, i also think it would help me keep tangles at bay. my ends are in okay condition but i know i need a trim. how has cutting as you grow help your transition?

 

[Alta Angel]

Hi Rapunzel,

I too am 8 months post-relaxer. When I started, my hair was about 13 inches long in the back and 10 or so in the front and sides. I had initially planned on a 2 year transition, cutting an inch every month or so. However, after the first two months, my relaxed ends broke off so badly that my stylist cut off 4-5 inches! I went from past APL to skimming my shoulders. After I regained consciousness, I vowed to either take care of my relaxed/natural hair or BC.

Now I keep my hair at about 7.5 inches in the back and layer up from there. Usually I get 1.5-2 inches cut every three months. The biggest benefit of the mini-chop was that it really helps the detangling process. My next appointment is at the end of the month and I will probably get 2 inches cut. I would like my natural hair to reach 7 inches or longer, so I will gradually cut as I go.

 

[FroFab]

When I was transitioning I trimmed as I went and ended up getting 2-3 inches cut at about the 10 month mark. For me as long as I was able to pull it back into a bun I was fine.

 

[Rapunzel*]

Hi Rapunzel,

I too am 8 months post-relaxer. When I started, my hair was about 13 inches long in the back and 10 or so in the front and sides. I had initially planned on a 2 year transition, cutting an inch every month or so. However, after the first two months, my relaxed ends broke off so badly that my stylist cut off 4-5 inches! I went from past APL to skimming my shoulders. After I regained consciousness, I vowed to either take care of my relaxed/natural hair or BC.

Now I keep my hair at about 7.5 inches in the back and layer up from there. Usually I get 1.5-2 inches cut every three months. The biggest benefit of the mini-chop was that it really helps the detangling process. My next appointment is at the end of the month and I will probably get 2 inches cut. I would like my natural hair to reach 7 inches or longer, so I will gradually cut as I go.

thanks so much thats what i think i will do im looking for the sheers now lol. im gonna cut after i flat iron my hair i cant wait

 

[Rapunzel*]

When I was transitioning I trimmed as I went and ended up getting 2-3 inches cut at about the 10 month mark. For me as long as I was able to pull it back into a bun I was fine.

thats cool thanks for coming in. are you natural now? how long did you transition. i want to always be able to throw my hair up in a bun. i hope to transition at least 1.5 years. if i hold on to this length im going to want to do the bc

 

[ycj1]

I've actually thought about that and decided to trim only once this yr and next yr. I will be in my braids till the end of Dec 2011 (hopefully) and will trim no more than 3.5 inches for the two yr period! Good question to raise btw!

 

[hair4romheaven]

I am 6mnths post and decided today to trim when i go home to NY in May i have seriously vowed off all stylist in Atlanta. LOL
Then I will mini chop in December when I go home for Christmas I will be 15mnths post by then

 

[FroFab]

thats cool thanks for coming in. are you natural now? how long did you transition. i want to always be able to throw my hair up in a bun. i hope to transition at least 1.5 years. if i hold on to this length im going to want to do the bc

You're very welcome. I transitioned for 17-18 months and I could definitely pull my hair into a bun then, but I still had to wrestle a bit with the density because SL relaxed/transitioning =/= SL natural type 4 unless stretched/straightened. I ended up doing cornrows and single braids at first for convenience.

 

[Rapunzel*]

thats great that many of us decided to trim as they grow that way doing the bc wont be so drastic

 

[RockCreak]

I've also been doing mini chops. I'm about 8 months post and have chopped oh about 4-5 times since. I pretty much focus on my NG vs my relaxed ends.

Before I started transitioning I was below APL now about an inch or two above APL. I'm currently in braids and have had them for about a month now. I'm seriously thinking of doing the BC once they come out... I dunno.

Just holdin on for right now.

 

[pri]

10 1/2 months post...and haven't trimmed I believe since 8/2008 and thankfully my hair is in great condition. I plan once I reach my 1yr mark 3/28/10 I will start doing mini chops but I was really thinking to first reach mbl then do chops and maintain that length. I don't know yet what I will do for sure.

 

[msbettyboop]

I started transitioning in Sept 09 and trimmed twice between then and Dec 09. I can't really remember how much I took off. I think it might have been about 2 inches. I stopped in Dec cos I realised I was getting too scissor happy. I've decided not to trim again until I hit the 1 year mark or in Dec after the end of my challenges. For the moment as long as I keep my hair stretched, detangling is not torturous. I'm in braids or cornrows under a wig most of the time. I don't want to BC cos I know seeing myself with short hair will completely traumatise me

 

[Ltown]

I just finish my transition in Jan by trimming keeping myself at SL. I transition from Oct 08 to Jan 2010.

 

[pookaloo83]

I just did a mini chop last night. I went from my avi to shoulder length. Actually a little bit above. Detangling is going to be much better now. I think I will do this about every 6 months.

 

[Flavia]

I've been transitioning for 15 months and so far so good, no major breakage. My savior was Qhemet AOHC on my new growth. I should be WL by August, then from there I will do mini chops to maintain.