I am itching to BC

[AHeadOfCoils]

Currently I am a week shy of being 4 months post & I think I have had it with transitioning. My relaxed hair, no matter what I do to it, continues to break off .. I tried low maintenance styles and I tried to continue with my flat iron but my natural hair and the flat iron are not homegirls.... I guess I need a bit of encouragement. erplexed

 

[FlawedBeauty]

if you feel its time then i say do it! i chopped cuz i couldnt take the two textures anymore, i made it about 7 months before i chopped. i thought i would regret it and was planning to transition looooong term but i am so happy i did it.

 

[keniciah]

Those first months are the worst.

 

[**SaSSy**]

if you feel its time then i say do it! i chopped cuz i couldnt take the two textures anymore, i made it about 7 months before i chopped. i thought i would regret it and was planning to transition looooong term but i am so happy i did it.

ITA with FB. If the two textures are causing you more problems then just BC. If after you BC you don't like your lenght then just get braids, or wig/weave it. I feel like this two, today makes 20 weeks and I'm really tired of my NG being so dry, but I just do my treatments and I can go another couple of weeks without BCing.

 

[13StepsAhead]

If your not ready then don't do it. Give yourself some time to think about it try braids, senegalese twist , sew-in, or anything that wil hide your hair and give you a break. HTH

 

[Bublin]

I chopped years ago when i was about 4 months post because of the same reasons. It looked great but hated my hair after about 5 months because it was at a length where i couldn't pull it all back and i just didn't look the way i wanted to look. I so wished i had transitioned longer but i didn't take the time to be patient with the 2 textures.
Trust me the first few months are the worst which is why most people give in and bc.

Hang on if u don't want really short har.

 

[candigyrl0830]

I get that itch often too. I think, for me, its just the curiousity mixed in with the frustration of styling.... and then daily or frequent styling makes me more curious (from playing in the new growth) and more frustrated (from trying to manage the two textures). If this is true for you too and you want to avoid getting that itch, then I would suggest trying styles that last awhile and don't require frequent styling like braids or cornrows. Lately I have been wearing french braids or big cornrows that I will leave in my hair all week long. It keeps me out of my hair which keeps me from getting frustrated and curious.

 

[AHeadOfCoils]

Hey Ladies! I went to drop my daughter off at school but during my drive I spoke with a friend of mine that has a permanent twa(she likes short curly hair). She said what you all said... I will think about it more.

I feel like I am causing a set back with all the breaking at the line of demarcation(sp) I went from close to BSL back up to APL in a few weeks... smh

 

[LaFemmeNaturelle]

Hey Ladies! I went to drop my daughter off at school but during my drive I spoke with a friend of mine that has a permanent twa(she likes short curly hair). She said what you all said... I will think about it more.

I feel like I am causing a set back with all the breaking at the line of demarcation(sp) I went from close to BSL back up to APL in a few weeks... smh

Hmm...I'm no expert but that doesn't sound like breakage at the line of demarcation. Sounds like your relaxed ends are breaking if it's leaving you at APL. Otherwise, you would have areas of just new growth. Have you been treating the relaxed ends with protein?

 

[AHeadOfCoils]

Hmm...I'm no expert but that doesn't sound like breakage at the line of demarcation. Sounds like your relaxed ends are breaking if it's leaving you at APL. Otherwise, you would have areas of just new growth. Have you been treating the relaxed ends with protein?

You have a point...

Some broken strands are long while others are super short. Any who, I do a 2min every other week and I still apply protein leave ins to the relaxed hair. At first I thought it was a protein overload but then when I stopped with the protein it was still breaking so I am confused.....

I remember reading somewhere about ph balancing?? Does anyone know anything about that? I think it was a shampoo or something....? My memory is shot!

 

[blessedandlucky]

You have a point...

Some broken strands are long while others are super short. Any who, I do a 2min every other week and I still apply protein leave ins to the relaxed hair. At first I thought it was a protein overload but then when I stopped with the protein it was still breaking so I am confused.....

I remember reading somewhere about ph balancing?? Does anyone know anything about that? I think it was a shampoo or something....? My memory is shot!

i think you are referring to roux porosity control. it may be helpful to you.

 

[Bublin]

Both my relaxed and natural hair don't like too much protien. I now baggy my ends soaked in coconut oil all day - its hidden in my bun - and the breakage has reduced....i just have to sort this shedding now.

 

[southerncitygirl]

i say to wig it and moisturize-seal the braided/plaited hair underneath daily. if you just can't it anymore chop it off. i would leave the heat alone.....braid/twistouts and bantuknots can mask the 2 textures.

 

[Ishtar]

Referring to the protein, it takes awhile for hair to recover from an overload. Maybe you need more moisture to combat the protein.

I have some advice for breakage at the line of demarcation. I cowash every other day or every 3 days with a moisturizing conditioner. It keeps my hair from becoming too dry and breaking. Before I was finding strands everywhere. I try to use protein conditioners no more than once a month. 3 treatments causes my hair to shed everywhere.

But please try and find what works for you. I do not want to chop off 90% of my hair either. I just do trims here and there as needed.

 

[Bun Mistress]

transitioning and breakage can be tricky. You can never know exactly what is the cause. Normal breakage, too much protein/moisture, or other stural issues. There was a long thread by sista slick about how to deal with breakage. I can give you the gist.

I would start with moisture first. Do a DC with a moisture protein (no hydrolyzed protein yada yada) first. Moisturize your hair if needed that week. If the break improves then continue.

If the breakage continues then...do a protein conditioner (won't recomend a heavy duty more of a re constructor). Continue you hair routine as previous. If the breakage continues then you have a problem. Because the mostly cause is structural (ie the hair shaft has damage that my be deyond a single treatment easy fix) I would recommend laying off the heat. This is easy it is summer and everyone looks good a twist out and adding ceramides to your regime. This can be cheap (I here hot six oil has 2) expense (Mizani Rose headress) or natural (wheat germ oil, my staple).

You are going to have some breakage while transitioning but I just don't tolerate it! You shouldn't either. Also if you prefer your hair straighter stop the flat ironing and just blow dry on cool and wrap. You aren't that far along in your transition so this could work very well for you.

 

[tHENATuRALhAiRpRoJEcT]

BIG CHOP BIG CHOP BIG CHOP BIG CHOP
BIG CHOP BIG CHOP BIG CHOP BIG CHOP
BIG CHOP BIG CHOP BIG CHOP BIG CHOP
BIG CHOP BIG CHOP BIG CHOP BIG CHOP BIG CHOP
BIG CHOP BIG CHOP BIG CHOP BIG CHOP
BIG CHOP BIG CHOP BIG CHOP BIG CHOP!!!!!!! (subliminal mesgs)

 

[KurlyNinja]

I'm here telling you NOT to Big Chop! I'm almost 4 months post as well and if I felt like BC at this point I would want somebody there for me to pull me away from the ledge! I would also try again with the moisture/protein balance. It can be tricky but its better than cutting all your hair off/relaxing again and not being happy in the end.

 

[AHeadOfCoils]

I went to Target to get a new deep conditioner (Aussie 3 min deeeeep) and I applied it and my curls were POPPING... so I took my sheers and snipped a section in the front and it looks soooo cute... I think I will go to the barber shop before I get my baby from day care and let them cut it all off....

I've had short near bald hair before so it looking right isn't the problem..

I am more concerned with me missing my ponytail but that's not going to stop me either... Thanks LADIES!!

 

[YaniraNaturally]

You're about 10 days ahead of me. Oddly I have zero desire to BC. Perhaps it's because I know that I look horrid with short hair My hair seems to thrive when I alternate protein and moisture every other week.

Just out of curiosity, how long were you planning to transition for?

ETA: I just read your post above mine. Congrats on your decision! Don't forget to come back and show us pics oke:

 

[kinkycurlyB]

care free curl has saved my life. It keeps my NG so soft and mangeable. I have no issues with keeping it moisturized now

 

[Prettyeyes]

YES!! BC!! YOU CAN DO IT!

 

[MyAngelEyez~C~U]

if you feel its time then i say do it! i chopped cuz i couldnt take the two textures anymore, i made it about 7 months before i chopped. i thought i would regret it and was planning to transition looooong term but i am so happy i did it.

I agree. I had also planned to transition long term, but the itch to BC got to me at 8 months post...I'm glad I decided to chop. My natural hair is so much easier to deal with.

 

[tHENATuRALhAiRpRoJEcT]

god's honest truth...... chopping made me want to run out side and snatch
my bra off! feeling like i'm free! i might be black, i might be ugly..... but dear god I'z free! I'z freeeee!!!

the i realized I had surgical scars from my ridiculous breast reduction and that might not be so pretty'

 

[MyAngelEyez~C~U]

god's honest truth...... chopping made me want to run out side and snatch
my bra off! feeling like i'm free! i might be black, i might be ugly..... but dear god I'z free! I'z freeeee!!!

the i realized I had surgical scars from my ridiculous breast reduction and that might not be so pretty'

 

[MaintaintheSexy]

Currently I am a week shy of being 4 months post & I think I have had it with transitioning. My relaxed hair, no matter what I do to it, continues to break off .. I tried low maintenance styles and I tried to continue with my flat iron but my natural hair and the flat iron are not homegirls.... I guess I need a bit of encouragement. erplexed

Chopastyle gurl!!!!!! Chop it off!!!! It sounds scary, but you will be thankful and happy you did.

 

[Artemis]

I am six months post and I use Paul Mitchell Supercharged weekly. You need more moisture. I'll do a mild/medium protein 1x/month or so. At 4 mos post you are at the "make or break" point, so you need to figure something out soon. The best thing for me was to only use Keracare Hydrating Detangling shampoo and PMSC for the first 2 inches and blowdry/flat iron using the right products. Now at 6 mos I am doing the curly sets, etc for variety. But when I straighten it, it is super duper healthy b/c of the dc regimen. No dryness, no tangles, no breakage. Ever.

PM me if you want for more details/assistance. I've got this transitioning thing down to a science now.

 

[Platinum]

Keep us updated on what you decide to do!

 

[hopeful]

I went to Target to get a new deep conditioner (Aussie 3 min deeeeep) and I applied it and my curls were POPPING... so I took my sheers and snipped a section in the front and it looks soooo cute... I think I will go to the barber shop before I get my baby from day care and let them cut it all off....

I've had short near bald hair before so it looking right isn't the problem..

I am more concerned with me missing my ponytail but that's not going to stop me either... Thanks LADIES!!

oh wow, how exciting! Good luck!

 

[AHeadOfCoils]

oh wow, how exciting! Good luck!

Unfortunately It wasn't too exciting.. I left too late and definitely woulnd't have made it in time to get my hair cut then pick her up so I will have to wait until tomorrow. I stopped by Walmart on the way home and picked up a few products that I see people with twa's rave about so I am totally ready.

 

[hopeful]

Cool, maybe you can do a mini bc yourself and have the barber finish. Make sure he doesn't line you up like a dude. I've heard some say barber's do that. Let him know to keep it soft & feminine. I'll be looking for your update tomorrow!