Transitioning without BC'ing Support Thread

[Dayjoy]

Dayjoy
How awesome is that! If I had all of what you had, I would be tempted to cut mine and work with it from there. What products are you using?

I've been looking for a few nice wigs, but they don't make them like they used to. My old wig is on it's last leg, but I have a few phony ponys left.

The truth is, I haven't been doing or using much of anything. For the last few months I've just been going to the salon once a month and getting a flat iron. Then i bun or ponytail the rest of the month. I know infrequent washing is a nono, but I just haven't been up to dealing with my two textures. When I do do something I'll cowash with Tresemme Moist (which is what I'd done yesterday) and then bun with Giovanni Direct and coconut oil. Yesterday I also used my sample of Ecostyler gel for the first time. I give it a .

 

[Pinkerton]

Seeking a little advice here. I have recently discovered the joy of single strand knots. I clip them out when I find them and moisturize and seal my ends every night. I've noticed a bit more breakage recently, some are short shed hairs and some are longer. I only notice them when I wash or fingercomb. It is not excessive breakage but I do not want it to get that far. I'm sure the knots have caused some of it.

However, I am wondering if my protein/moisture balance is off as well. I used to have very little protein in my reggie, but my hair started getting kind of limp and mushy with all the heavy moisture. There is now some light protein in my leave-in and conditioners. (Cantu Shea Butter, Giovanni SAS, Wen 613)

Could my hair just be protein sensitive or am I not getting enough moisture now? My hair is not really hard or dry unless I get lazy about M&S. I sleep with a bonnet and only use ouchless bands to bun when I'm at work. When I come home my hair is taken down.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[trclemons]

Count me in. My HHJ began on January 25, 2013 and I am 2 months post. I will ultimately make my decision about being a natural when I discover my curl pattern and my patience and ability to manage it. But in the meantime, I plan to learn all I can from each of you.

Thanks ladies!

 

[hnntrr]

I am 2 months post, I dont know what my hair is doing. It feels just like my relaxed hair albeit a little thicker. Attaching some pics of wet hair, no product except a tea rinse (currently DC'ing). Anyone have any clues as to what my hair is doing? I think I have about an inch of NG its starting to curl at the roots...I can feel it curling but when I take pictures it just...its never this soft 8 weeks in. usually I would be getting a perm by now ...I duno. ANyone have any ideas?

 

[kbnax]

Just made 20 weeks yesterday and it ain't no joke! lol. I just got done washing my hair but I'm scared to detangle, smh. I lost a lot of hair last wk, so I'm gonna try and go back to detangling on dry hair with Mane n tail.

I did notice that my hair is not responding to shampoo the way it used to. Joico shampoo always left my hair so. Today it was just so-so.

 

[MsDee14]

Pinkerton Are you experiencing SSK's on your relaxed hair, demarcation line or pieces of hair that are fully natural(if that's the case).
How do you typically wear your hair?

 

[veesweets]

Think I'm going to end my transition on my 22nd birthday (May 2014)..that will make me close to 21 months post. Sounds really good, ill just have to see what my length is like at that time

 

[havilland]

I am 2 months post, I dont know what my hair is doing. It feels just like my relaxed hair albeit a little thicker. Attaching some pics of wet hair, no product except a tea rinse (currently DC'ing). Anyone have any clues as to what my hair is doing? I think I have about an inch of NG its starting to curl at the roots...I can feel it curling but when I take pictures it just...its never this soft 8 weeks in. usually I would be getting a perm by now ...I duno. ANyone have any ideas?

What kind of ideas are you looking for?

 

[havilland]

Seeking a little advice here. I have recently discovered the joy of single strand knots. I clip them out when I find them and moisturize and seal my ends every night. I've noticed a bit more breakage recently, some are short shed hairs and some are longer. I only notice them when I wash or fingercomb. It is not excessive breakage but I do not want it to get that far. I'm sure the knots have caused some of it.

However, I am wondering if my protein/moisture balance is off as well. I used to have very little protein in my reggie, but my hair started getting kind of limp and mushy with all the heavy moisture. There is now some light protein in my leave-in and conditioners. (Cantu Shea Butter, Giovanni SAS, Wen 613)

Could my hair just be protein sensitive or am I not getting enough moisture now? My hair is not really hard or dry unless I get lazy about M&S. I sleep with a bonnet and only use ouchless bands to bun when I'm at work. When I come home my hair is taken down.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Have u tried washing your hair in braids and cutting back on shampoo? Co wash sometimes instead?

I don't really get ssk unless I wash my hair loose with shampoo or If I forget to moisturize regularly.

 

[havilland]

Today I am deep conditioning under my Santa hat. I put my turban on over a plastic cap and felt I needed to look at something more fun than the turban. So I put on my Santa cap. Lol

 

[Rae81]

Is anybody else having a hard time with the crown of their hair. If so, had anybody figured out how to get it just control? My crowns is extra dry and no matter what I do it stays dry. It is also a totally different texture than the rest of my hair.

sent from my galaxy

 

[Pinkerton]

The SSKs are happening on the natural ends. I do not have much relaxed ends left. I use shampoo once every other week. I have issues with scalp dermatitis and if I go too long without shampoo it flares up again. Otherwise, I cowash.

 

[hnntrr]

What kind of ideas are you looking for?

I guess I am just not sure what to expect, why my hair is acting this way particularly because I would be getting a perm around now because my ng is 'to dry and unmanageable'. I guess I am just wondering what to expect. Why my ng isnt growing in, in coils instead of waves (i know I have relaxed ends stretching them out) but like some people's hair ive seen hair starts coilin right out of their head. I was just wondering why mine wasnt doing that.

I was hoping its not cause I have trained my hair to lay flat so it waves instead of curls...I am just being overly cautious I guess.

 

[Mjon912]

Checking in, washed, roller set and flat ironed my hair!!! Tomorrow I will be exactly 6 months post relaxer!!! Woohoo... I think I have about 18-24 more months until all of my relaxed ends have been snipped away
These are after I roller set and flat ironed






I Won't ever wrap my hair straight out of rollers without flat ironing it again! While I didn't lose a lot if hair it was way more then I'm used to, when I unwrapped my hair this morning it was like my poofy roots had curled or tangled around each other, I could hear my hair breaking as I combed it down =( lesson definitely learned

 

[havilland]

The SSKs are happening on the natural ends. I do not have much relaxed ends left. I use shampoo once every other week. I have issues with scalp dermatitis and if I go too long without shampoo it flares up again. Otherwise, I cowash.

Try diluting the shampoo with water and putting it in an applicator bottle. Squeeze the mixture into your scalp and dont apply it directly to your hair length. Meanwhile coat your ends with a little oil to keep them from drying out and tangling from the shampoo.

 

[havilland]

I guess I am just not sure what to expect, why my hair is acting this way particularly because I would be getting a perm around now because my ng is 'to dry and unmanageable'. I guess I am just wondering what to expect. Why my ng isnt growing in, in coils instead of waves (i know I have relaxed ends stretching them out) but like some people's hair ive seen hair starts coilin right out of their head. I was just wondering why mine wasnt doing that.

I was hoping its not cause I have trained my hair to lay flat so it waves instead of curls...I am just being overly cautious I guess.

Girl just wait. You don't know what your hair is gonna do yet. It's way too soon in the journey to have "expectations".

As for the dryness, I would suggest a good deep condition. Natural hair is usually dry. Get used to making moisturizing a priority.hang in there ....

 

[kbnax]

Is anybody else having a hard time with the crown of their hair. If so, had anybody figured out how to get it just control? My crowns is extra dry and no matter what I do it stays dry. It is also a totally different texture than the rest of my hair.

sent from my galaxy

Rae81 My crown is doing the same. It's rougher/drier than the rest of my hair. I just add more moisturizer on that section and eventually it does soften up but it does take more work than the rest.

 

[kbnax]

I cut about an inch off today out of frustration . I tried going back to detangling on dry hair but I'm still getting breakage. I've done protein trmts, overnight DC's and finally I just trimmed to see if that would help...i don't think it did tho.

How are fine hair 4a/4b's detangling? I only had to lightly detangle before I began transitioning, but now my hair gets so matted I have to spray a lot of detangling spray but combing wet hair leads to breakage for me. I'm thinking about finger combing...idk.

 

[kbnax]

1 more question, lol...Did any of you who weren't already using a seamless comb, find that you had to switch to one to avoid breakage during your transition?

 

[shunta]

Is anybody else having a hard time with the crown of their hair. If so, had anybody figured out how to get it just control? My crowns is extra dry and no matter what I do it stays dry. It is also a totally different texture than the rest of my hair.

sent from my galaxy

Same with the crown of my hair. It just dances to its own tune and does whatever the hell it wants to. I just take extra care to apply more product to it whether its leave-in or what. I also have to detangle extra carefully with it so I won't lose too much hair up there.

 

[niaelyse]

Hi all.....this is my first post after lurking forever.

Kudos to all of you who are enduring the process of a long term transition. I am just starting out (about 10 weeks post) and have breakage that is stressing me out. My hair is a bit past mid back length now. I will read through this thread to get some tips on managing the new growth. I used to have my reggie down but this is a whole new ball game.

Hopefully I won't cave in a relax....pray for me....lol.

 

[MsDee14]

The SSKs are happening on the natural ends. I do not have much relaxed ends left. I use shampoo once every other week. I have issues with scalp dermatitis and if I go too long without shampoo it flares up again. Otherwise, I cowash.

Oh Okay...I have had issues of SSK's on my natural ends as well. What works is keeping it stretched. I always twist or braid my hair at night and also using a heavy sealant such as shea-butter or castor oil when moisturizing.

 

[MsDee14]

I bought a bottle of Nature's Bounty: Hair, Skin and Nails supplements.
There are 60 in a bottle and although it's suggested to take 3 a day, I will just take 1. Once I'm done with the bottle, I'll go into single braids.
Trying to finish up the remainder of my Sulfur Powder as well, by making Sulfur Oil mixes bi-weekly and applying the mix up to 6X weekly.

I guess you can say I am focusing on growth right now, which I am okay with because once I BC..I will be all about styling and enjoying my natural hair.

btw I am 6 days shy of 15 months post relaxer.

 

[havilland]

For all the newbies....this is service announcement


At 4 months post I wanted to relax. I coped by telling myself I was "stretching". I could relax anytime I wanted. I WAS ADAMANT THAT I WAS NOT GOING NATURAL.

At 6 months post I SWORE I WAS GONNA RELAX. I kept the relaxer jar on the bathroom sink and stared at it lovingly every day.

At 8 months post all my products revolted. My techniques didn't work anymore. I had to revise my plan, stalk YouTube, stalk fotki, stalk my hair idols, find new natural hair idols, drink lots of wine. LOL

At 10 months post I thought "I can do this! I've lasted this long". I officially announced I was transitioning for 3 years.

At 12 month post I was so proud of myself. I fought through the frustration I was feeling about my hair. (which was acting a hot mess at the time.)

At 14 months post I was ready to shave my head. I bought some half wigs and used them to hide. I hid my tresses for their own good. I didn't trust myself. And I knew I'd regret a chop.

At 16 months post I was back on a roll. It was winter. Humidity was no longer my enemy. I had enough natural hair at this point to feel happy about my progress and start to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Now I am 19 months post. My relaxed ends annoy me. But I have more natural hair than relaxed so I ignore the relaxed hair and just try to love her. For she gives me the ponytail and the bun that has become my best ally during this whole long term transition.

I can't believe I prefer natural hair now. Relaxed hair "usually" looks thin and unhealthy to me now. (not always, cus some relaxed heads are gawgus) I am amazed at how much healthier my roots are than my ends. I see now why my thin strands never grew past APL.

My point----YOU can do this. Every day will be different. And every week will bring a new challenge. And some days you will want to cut all your hair off, other days you will want to relax. Investigate your options. Stick to your goal and Know you are not alone.

 

[havilland]

Rae81

My crown is dry too. I started using diluted regular conditioner as my leaving and sealed with oil. That helped alot.

 

[Leslie_C]

Is anybody else having a hard time with the crown of their hair. If so, had anybody figured out how to get it just control? My crowns is extra dry and no matter what I do it stays dry. It is also a totally different texture than the rest of my hair.

sent from my galaxy

Rae81 the first few months I had this problem, but when I started working in about 6 sections and detangling, moisturizing, and sealing in those sections and being a little more heavy handed with product in that area my hair started retaining moisture better.

 

[MsDee14]

@havviland Great timeline and very helpful

ETA: I can't wait until I make it to 19 months post...it's taking FOREVER!

 

[napbella]

For all the newbies....this is service announcement


At 4 months post I wanted to relax. I coped by telling myself I was "stretching". I could relax anytime I wanted. I WAS ADAMANT THAT I WAS NOT GOING NATURAL.

At 6 months post I SWORE I WAS GONNA RELAX. I kept the relaxer jar on the bathroom sink and stared at it lovingly every day.

At 8 months post all my products revolted. My techniques didn't work anymore. I had to revise my plan, stalk YouTube, stalk fotki, stalk my hair idols, find new natural hair idols, drink lots of wine. LOL

At 10 months post I thought "I can do this! I've lasted this long". I officially announced I was transitioning for 3 years.

At 12 month post I was so proud of myself. I fought through the frustration I was feeling about my hair. (which was acting a hot mess at the time.)

At 14 months post I was ready to shave my head. I bought some half wigs and used them to hide. I hid my tresses for their own good. I didn't trust myself. And I knew I'd regret a chop.

At 16 months post I was back on a roll. It was winter. Humidity was no longer my enemy. I had enough natural hair at this point to feel happy about my progress and start to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Now I am 19 months post. My relaxed ends annoy me. But I have more natural hair than relaxed so I ignore the relaxed hair and just try to love her. For she gives me the ponytail and the bun that has become my best ally during this whole long term transition.

I can't believe I prefer natural hair now. Relaxed hair "usually" looks thin and unhealthy to me now. (not always, cus some relaxed heads are gawgus) I am amazed at how much healthier my roots are than my ends. I see now why my thin strands never grew past APL.

My point----YOU can do this. Every day will be different. And every week will bring a new challenge. And some days you will want to cut all your hair off, other days you will want to relax. Investigate your options. Stick to your goal and Know you are not alone.

havilland,
So helpful. I'm 8mos post and love my natural hair, but I don't dare chop my relaxed ends cuz I love them too. I don't think I can part with them even tho they look ratchet some days and won't cooperate other days. I'm interviewing for jobs and need quick updos on lazy days. Most times I do braidouts but I think it's time for a flat twist updo (which will last about a month) or senegalese twists (just so darn expensive). Now my natural hair is so thick and luscious but only about 3ins. Actually I'm wondering how I will handle it this time around. Last time (5yrs natural) the front was very loose due to me wearing puffs as my signature style, trying to avoid that this time becuz it limited my styling options, but I don't want to wear afros all the time either.
Oh well, it'll be a good problem to have. Thanks again for your helpful input.

 

[MsDee14]

@havilland,
So helpful. I'm 8mos post and love my natural hair, but I don't dare chop my relaxed ends cuz I love them too. I don't think I can part with them even tho they look ratchet some days and won't cooperate other days. I'm interviewing for jobs and need quick updos on lazy days. Most times I do braidouts but I think it's time for a flat twist updo (which will last about a month) or senegalese twists (just so darn expensive). Now my natural hair is so thick and luscious but only about 3ins. Actually I'm wondering how I will handle it this time around. Last time (5yrs natural) the front was very loose due to me wearing puffs as my signature style, trying to avoid that this time becuz it limited my styling options, but I don't want to wear afros all the time either.
Oh well, it'll be a good problem to have. Thanks again for your helpful input.

napbella The bolded just scared me. I have been wearing my hair in a high puff/bun for about 1.5 months now and I have noticed that the front of my hair stretches easily.
How ofter were you wearing puffs when you were natural? Did they completely alter the texture at the front of your hair?

 

[nemi95]

I still may texlax this weekend, but I love my first try at Curlformers!