The hardest part of transitioning...

[HeavenlySkies]

I was wondering why months 6-8 are the hardest months of transitioning...as I approach this stage I kind of have an idea of why because my head is basically all newgrowth for the most part but being that I have kept it under wraps I dont really have a big problem dealing with it so far. I thought it was interesting and would like to know from the naturals or long transitioners what exactly goes on during these months. I tried the whole cornrow thing but it jacked my edges up so I doubt I would do those again so any tips would be appreciated.​

 

[SEMO]

Honestly, wearing buns, braidouts and the occasional straw curls took me through my entire transition. Maintaining the health of my hair was my main goal, and I'm not that great at "styles" anyway. Good luck on your transition.

 

[Allandra]

I was wondering why months 6-8 are the hardest months of transitioning...as I approach this stage I kind of have an idea of why because my head is basically all newgrowth for the most part but being that I have kept it under wraps I dont really have a big problem dealing with it so far. I thought it was interesting and would like to know from the naturals or long transitioners what exactly goes on during these months. I tried the whole cornrow thing but it jacked my edges up so I doubt I would do those again so any tips would be appreciated.​

I don't recall any of the months being the hardest for me during my transition. For me, it's been pretty easy (thank goodness). I didn't even think about doing corn rows (because I don't like them). During the 6th to 8th month it was warm here, and I was doing buns and washing my hair often (since it was warm).

 

[Likeyouneverseenme]

Totally agree with Allandra, Transitioning was easy. I actually liked it, every month you see the progress so well. I didn't have any problems, I just got impatient.

 

[crazydaze911]

Detangling w/out ripping my hair out at the demarcation line or the ends was a big worry for me. Thanks to tips here, i've just learned to drown it with conditioner and comb it in the shower under running water. Another thing that was hard for me was the 'look' of transitioning hair. I didnt want to use heat on my roots all the time so basically i had BIG roots growing out and then straight hair growing down. it was horrible, especially when i was on vacation trying to take sexy wet hair pics - ICK! I think thats why 6 to 8 months was hard for me - it was all emotional. after that hump the new growth becomes long enough to push back rather than stick up.

 

[Eisani]

Love the puff, MissNorway!! I think I just got more frustrated because it took a lil more time to make sure I was detangled and well moisturized. I also got a little nervous and questioned if I was doing the right thing because like you said, at that point there's more natrual hair. I still wonder sometimes... I've been using a lot more natural and non-commercial products and my hair seems to flourish and love these things. Buns, twist outs, braid outs have been my styles but I will straighten if I feel so inclined.

 

[sweetsuccess]

soo
i can not relate to those easy transitioners!...
im currently in month 11..... n boy was it hard to even get here!.. right now im about 80-85% natural .. n i refuse to cut my permed ends.. im finally at a decent length n i just wana keep on going.. bsides i dont even look like i need a trim but i will get one in january.. which will be exactly a year since my last trim.
during months 6-8.. was summer for me, and i slid thru them because i kept getting sew-ins... sew-ins were GREAT. a great protective style.. and hid my hair wonderful wiht great results. being on LHCF is wat made me consider getting a sew in, other than that i wouldnt never have even considered it. u can check out my fotki... ive had a nice amt of growth since my first sew in april 29. other than that, i would go get it professionally done.. like right now, i can not do my own hair. its such a long dreading process. i usually love doing my hair, but that was back in the day wen i was relaxed... im somewhat considering going relaxed again and just stretching my relaxers every 6months. anywho, hth!!

...........xoxo

 

[bravenewgirl87]

Finding styles that looked presentable. Right now, I'm just sticking to braids. When I started my hair wasn't long enough to bun. I have no clue how I would be able to create one now and my roots are so long and thick, that I think they blew out my blow dryer.

 

[FAMUDva]

I don't recall any of the months being the hardest for me during my transition. For me, it's been pretty easy (thank goodness). I didn't even think about doing corn rows (because I don't like them). During the 6th to 8th month it was warm here, and I was doing buns and washing my hair often (since it was warm).

Same here... I didn't have problems. That's around the time I started CW regularly and that helped TREMENDOUSLY! I think I know how to handle my hair now, so I've not had problems.

 

[MonaRae]

I'm right at 6 months and altho its easy to maintain my hair, I can't stand the 2 textures. I'm streching tho and don't plan on doing a BC so I have to deal with it.

 

[BostonMaria]

For me the first 6 months were the hardest. It had a lot to do with trying to figure out how to work with the new growth and styling options. I couldn't wear it curly, couldn't do a wash and go after the 7th month. I had so much hair and the new growth was fighting the relaxed ends. I finally got the hang of it and realized that it was just easier to rollerset to hide the two textures. My hair during months 7-10 looked really pretty, shiny, healthy. I did the BC on month 10 because I was very much in love with the length and I knew that as time went on it would be harder for me to cut it.

OP, good luck on your transition.
To those of you that had it easy, shame on you! I had it hard and I don't appreciate your smooth transition LMAO j/k

 

[HeavenlySkies]

thanks to all that have responded...maybe I should have directed this to the women that had a hard transition. I didn't know there was such a thing as an easy one until now lol

 

[Sha76]

This was also helpful to me because I am entering my sixth month as thanks..

 

[naturalmanenyc]

I have 3 different textures and it has NOT been easy at all. In fact, my transition has been VERY difficult. I have about 4 inches of new growth (I do not get .5 inch per month), I have about 3 inches of texlaxed hair (12/30/07 texlax after an 18 week stretch) and then about 6 inches of relaxed hair.

I am in month 11 and have decided on a phony pony and full wigs to transition. I have sections of my hair that are not as wavy as other when I pull it back into the phony pony, but gel helps with that.
http://public.fotki.com/RegsWife/experimenting-with-/modu-invisilace--fu/
http://public.fotki.com/RegsWife/playing-around-with/

As the months dragged on, I found that products that had worked on my relaxed hair did not work at all on my new growth and texlaxed hair. I have collected so much product that DH says we have a beauty supply store in the bathroom.
http://public.fotki.com/RegsWife/some-of-my-product-/

I have a bag of product packed up right now (Giovanni, Suave, Garnier) to take to my coworker. She uses anything that is on sale.....and to think I have spent the better part of this year looking for products that work well on my hair. I have been tempted to cut off everything past the line of demarcation.....but I made a deal with my husband that I would only cut my hair once I hit BSL and even then only anything past BSL. On the days that I spend an hour or more detangling, I have reached for the scissors.

I even tried tree braids but they did not come out like I had hoped and they were too heavy. As of today I am in cornrows and using a full wig when I leave the house. I am very particular about my hair and if a style does not look right on me, I have to try something else. I so want to have a twist out or two strand twists but with my 3 textures, they look like crap on me. Braid outs have worked for me and I may do one again soon.
http://public.fotki.com/RegsWife/experimenting-with-/my-new-wig/

I am convinced that when I do finally chop off the relaxed and texlaxed hair that it will be easier to find products that work for the one texture.

 

[Auburn]

I think the hardest part of transitioning was the first couple of months where there was NO curl pattern..it was just a thick tangled mess. As it grew out, there was more definition but the declemasdkfasifjhoeiw line was still tough to work with.

 

[Carrie A]

Good question. The first few months was pretty easy for me because there wasn't enough new growth to cause a problem. I could camouflage it while keeping a decent style. Month seven was really hard. The detangling was BAD and I had a lot of breakage at the demarcation line. I had a very short cut so the ratio of relaxed to natural hair was 50/50 in the front and 100% natural in the back. Fortunately that phase passed. I think the length of your hair while transitioning makes a difference. The last time I tried a long transition my hair was nearly BSL. I didn't relax for almost two years without much issue, but the majority of my hair was relaxed and pulled back.
Truth is day to day basically my hair is not looking fly (style wise) most of the time now. Before I had enough hair to put in a ponytail, I just pinned it back with bobby pins. When I rollerset the demarcation line was OBVIOUS. But it's like I'm passed the age of caring whether folks talk about my hair. As long as its clean and well moisturized it's all good for me. My hair looks healthier now than it's ever been. Hang in there. Any life transition has challenges- even hair. It's really rewarding when you figure out a way to overcome transitioning difficulties.

 

[lilsparkle825]

it got hard for me at month 12 (breakage) so i BC'd. -shrug-

 

[HeavenlySkies]

Ok another question for transitioners at this stage I myself have come to terms that air drying is impossible no matter how soft it is while its wet and drying once it's completely dry it is a matted birds nest any tips on making the hair manageable without a blow dryer?

 

[loulou82]

Hmm.. Month 3 and 8 were difficult for me because I wasn't used to being a DIYer and I definitely wasn't used to handling my new growth past 8 weeks. I actually always air dry my hair. I only use a blow dryer before installing braids or weave.

I put my hair in 6-8 twists to air dry. Flexi rods are nice to roll up the ends. I don't allow my hair to air dry without being stretched somehow. If your hair is long enough you can air dry in a ponytail.

 

[LovelyRae]

Ok another question for transitioners at this stage I myself have come to terms that air drying is impossible no matter how soft it is while its wet and drying once it's completely dry it is a matted birds nest any tips on making the hair manageable without a blow dryer?

I am in the same boat. Right now I will be 7 months post next weekend, and I have to agree that this is getting really tough. The first 4 months were easy but now is a completely different story. I mostly airdry and for me, I pull my hair back in a ponytail after adding my moisturizer and sealing with coconut oil. I then tie it down with my scarf and that keeps it from matting up for me. At this stage, there is no way I could airdry without tying it down, my curls would just lock up.

 

[gymfreak336]

I'm planning a 6 month stretch so this thread is right on time.

 

[cluelezz]

It was hard for me because I was so sick of the same styles almost everyday. I would do braidouts and buns most of the time. Then I got kinky twists for 1.5 months (took em out earlier than planned because I got bored). I was sick of waiting though and chopped toward the end of month 7.

I'm just impatient.

 

[Eisani]

I have issues w/styling options. Due to my unique hair color, I can't find wigs/weaves/phony ponies to match , I'm not really crazy about braids although I would consider box or individuals but dayum how long would they have to be in order for my ends to be well protected, waist or tailbone length? My heaid is too big for box braids w/my own hair Kinky twists would be too heavy and micros are just a big HELL to the NO... any other options besides braid/twist outs, buns, twists, updos? Not really, ha?

 

[Napp]

well its hard for me for the simple fact that my NG is a hardcore BEAST that devours my length and makes me go crazy trying to style it. people tell me that my hair looks easy and im like
it takes WORK to tame my hair.

seriously last night i must have tried to do 5 different styles and all of them failed. my hair just dont look right in anything! i did half of my head in micro braids and realized how bad they look and now am in the process of taking them out so my hair is looking a hot mess! i have some finger coils in my nape a twist out on one side of my head and a flat twist going back all pulled into two jacked up looking puffs. nothing looked good except the finger coils which was my last resort and the only style i did w/ gel.(im trying to wean myself off the gel.it seems futile) so i might be wearing coils and VERY LARGE hats for the rest of my transition.

 

[sunnydaze]

Transitioning hasn't really been all that hard, but looking back months 6-9 were the most difficult for me. I think it was because I was trying to use the exact same styling methods I used while fully relaxed (washing, pullihg it back, then sitting under the dryer then curling with a curling iron..I know.erplexed) or doing the bun I have in my avatar.

As more new growth came in, the more difficulty I had with even doing that above bun, so I resorted to just wearing phony ponies and a random half wig...I pretty much did that from months 6-18. I'm kinda over the wigs and ponies right now and do rollersets to acheive a straighter look.

 

[OneInAMillion]

I've always heard that months 6-9 were the most difficult. In the past, I would relax at about 6 months because that's when I started having the most difficulty detangling new growth. This time around, I didn't seem to have that problem, but I think there are a couple of reasons why. First, I used to stretch for 6 months minimum and did so for about 3 years. I think that prepared me. Second, I started getting my hair texturized instead of relaxed bone straight, so I had less of a difference in texture. Finally, I just decided that I wasn't going to relax anymore and that there was no other option, so started focusing on what worked. I'm just about 13 months post, and I stil get rollersets. In fact, I think it's easier to rollerset now than it was at 6 months because there's just as much natural hair as texturized hair.

But back to your question...I think the key is really deep conditioning at the 6month mark. Not just slapping conditioner in, but making sure to really coating semi-towel dried hair with conditioner. I apply in sections and use a wide tooth comb to detangle. I find that this helped tremendously in the earlier stages, and now I only do it sparingly because my hair is easier to detangle.

Good luck...the good news (I think) is that with a long transition, there is a point where it gets easier and you love the manageable, natural hair.

 

[latebloomer]

Gosh, I'm only about 1 - 2 months into my transition and i'm already finding it difficult, i cant do slick back styles because my hair wont lie flat. I'm either crap at roller setting or the styling foam i used made my hair so dry and brittle, may just have to opt for the braiding... i'm determined to see this through. i just need to wait until my hair is long enough to still weave and braid before i do my big chop doubt that i'll have a long transition.

 

[Eisani]

Gosh, I'm only about 1 - 2 months into my transition and i'm already finding it difficult, i cant do slick back styles because my hair wont lie flat. I'm either crap at roller setting or the styling foam i used made my hair so dry and brittle, may just have to opt for the braiding... i'm determined to see this through. i just need to wait until my hair is long enough to still weave and braid before i do my big chop doubt that i'll have a long transition.

Try using a leave in conditioner for your rollersets instead of styling foam. Your curls will still hold, but it's a lot softer! Depending on your length, you can try pony tail rollersets to get the roots smooth or the scarf method. What products/methods are you using for slick back styles?

 

[brownelovely]

I'm going to have to find a way to detangle my new growth without causing breakage. I think I might try the conditioner in the shower method...seems like a good idea.

I also need to figure out how to air dry so that my ends are poofy too!

 

[lovelychar]

I'm at month 8 with mines. And I dread washing my hair. I have such hard problems with tangling (demarcation point and relaxed ends) that is what made me want to try and transition (agian) lol. My hair just matts up when the water hits it. With or without conditioner in it, and is a mess to detangle and results in major hair loss. The roots aren't a problem when wet, but are when trying to dry,blow dry and when dry. My hair shrinks up 60% is length and is very porous so moisture retention and trying not to over do it with moisture products and sealing is a delimma as well. And the relaxed ends are very split. I believe all the way up to the demarcation. So I'm just trimming away after every wash it seems. With all the problems I have I always woder if its even worth it, then I see how pretty and strong my natural hair is and just go on and stay away from the lye.

Right now for my style. I'm doing the bantu curl out. I alternate with Claudies satin hair moisturizer or QP's oil recovery moisturizer ans seal with coconut oil and castor oil.

I co washed once and had good results. It helped with the tangles some I must say. I believe I will alternate weeks of washing and co-wash especially with this cold weather.