Hmmm. Lhcf Got Me Thinking

[ALICIALYNN]

Its Me Again Well I've Been Thinking About Going Natural You Guys. Its Been About 3 And A Half Months Since My Last Perm And I Really Love My Hair State Now. I Dont Think I Could Ever Go Back To A Relaxer. But My Question Is

Do I Have To Do The "big Chop" Or Can I Just Grow The Perm Out??

How Do You Maintain Your Hair When You Are Transitioning And What Products Do I Use?

Is Breaking Natural When You Are Transitioning?

What Exactly Is A Texturizer?? Is It Better Than A Relaxer??


Thank You Ladies

 

[Poohbear]

It's funny that you say you're thinking about transitioning and you just joined! I remember when I first joined, a few days later, I wanted to transition to natural too! But I ended up relaxing a couple of times but now I'm going for it!

To answer some of your questions, you do not have to do the big chop, you can just grow your natural hair out to the length you want and then you can decide when you want to cut the relaxed ends off.
While I'm transitioning, I'm doing buns and ponytails. My hair doesn't look right if I wear it down because my roots are really thick and my ends look thin. You can check out my regime for products I've been using.
I think breaking is normal while you are transitioning because of the two different hair textures. If you do a lot of combing, especially when your hair is dry, you'll experience even more breakage. So avoid excessive combing or overmanipulation.
For the last question, I'm not an expert on texturizing but I think a texturizer leaves your hair curlier/wavier/less straight than a relaxer. I can't judge whether one is better than the other.

Hope that helps!

 

[sillygurl18]

A texturizer is the same thing as a relaxer except it doesn't "relax" the hair as much leaving the her with a looser curl than the natural hair.

 

[Tai]

You can grow the relaxer out. I'm currently transitioning to natural and it's been 10 months since I texturized my hair. I won't be doing the big chop for awhile, probably another year. Some people find that it's easier or better for them to do the BC early, others choose the long route. It all depends on you.

I don't use heat often so I wear my hair pulled back in a ponytail or bun. I only comb or brush my hair when it's wet with lots of conditioner. I stopped shampooing frequently and switched over to doing conditioner washes instead to help my hair stay moisturized instead of drying it out. I use conditioner as a leave in, as well. I still deep condition but don't need to do protein treatments like I did when I was texturized. AO GPB and Elasta's Intense are all the protein I need.

You might experience some breakage at the demarcation line when you're transitioning. I don't really have any, though. It varies from person to person.

A texturizer is a relaxer that's only left on briefly to relax your curl, not take it away. However, if your hair doesn't have some curl in it to begin with, it won't curl after texturizing, generally. I was texturized before I started my transition to natural.

I hope that helps a little.

 

[honeisos]

.. you don't have to do the big chop ... unless you really don't want to be annoyed with your relaxed hair anymore..

LOok in other people albums ... who are in the process or who are already natural... it will give you a lot of information.. on what to try and not use..

But,I find it is A LOT of trial and error.. It took me 2 months to find the right routine...

and what works for my hair.... I live for braidouts.. it blends the two texures for me... I also CO wash my hair all the time ... my hair lives for water...

I love pure shea and aloe for my hair ...that is all I need really...

Ask questions ... nothing is too silly to ask!

 

[blkmaryland]

Do I Have To Do The "big Chop" Or Can I Just Grow The Perm Out??
No. You can grow out your perm

How Do You Maintain Your Hair When You Are Transitioning And What Products Do I Use?
Like stated before, it's trial and error. My last relaxer was 10/4/04. I went through a period where I thought that it was okay that my hair didn't look neat since it was getting healthy and not breaking. I didn't want to use any heat so, it was okay to have unruly roots. Well, I tried ponytail airdrying and found that my hair is at its best when it is air-dryed straight. I used NTM and I am loving my hair again. I use castor oil on my ends everynight. S-curl is my friend when I want to wear a bun. Right now I am focusing on my relaxed hair part since it is the weakest but I know that eventually I will have to find products for my natural hair. In fact, right now I use Daily Defense Tender Apple for my new growth and NTM is for both textures. I also have flat-ironed my hair and NTM gets it straight and silky.

Is Breaking Natural When You Are Transitioning?
NO!!!! I don't believe that your hair should break. Now there is a difference between breaking and shedding. I do lose hair when I condition wash my hair and even when I comb it. It's not a lot but it's not broken pieces. I know that it's not breakage because I can see the hair bulb so I know it's natural shedding.

What Exactly Is A Texturizer?? Is It Better Than A Relaxer??
I believe a texturizer is like a relaxer. I don't want to use any chemicals in my hair.

Right now, I am loving my hair. I am so looking forward to the summer when I can do braidouts and wash and wear hair. Best advice....Go stalking Oops .....did I say that???? I mean go look through albums and find your hair twin and don't be afraid to ask you sisters at LHCF. Good luck through your journey!!!!

 

[jainygirl]

Welcome to the forum!!! and YES you have options. You dont have to BC. I BC'ed because transitioning was too tedious for me . There are PLENTY of transitioners on the forum as well as successful BC'ers. Btw, a texturizer is just a relaxer that is applied differently and for a shorter amount of time but it's still a relaxer. Good luck on whatever you decide . -- jainygirl

 

[aqualung]

Do I Have To Do The "big Chop" Or Can I Just Grow The Perm Out??

If I loved my hair with 3 months' worth of new growth, I'd transition withOUT chopping. If you can manage it all, why not keep it all?

 

[Peachtree]

Do I Have To Do The "big Chop" Or Can I Just Grow The Perm Out??
No, u don't "HAVE" to do the big chop ... u can grow it out by using some consistency & alot of patience

How Do You Maintain Your Hair When You Are Transitioning

Occassionally I would wear my hair down in a braidout or twist out... but for the most part, I kept my hair in updo's... ponytails, buns, french twists, flat twists, etc. I luv styles that would keep for 5 days... this way I didn't have to worry about doing my hair, risking excessive breakage.

I lived for conditioner rinses...(3 or so times wkly) I'd warm Lustrasilk Aloe cholesterol then apply it to my "dry" hair. Let it sit as long as I could (overnight if time allowed). Then proceed to wash with CON, Motions, or some type of moisturizing poo. This really help to keep my "tangles" down.

I also AIR DRIED... & didn't use any form of heat (not even a hooded dryer). This lil method kept my breakage at a minimum. In fact, I barely lost any hair (to breakage) during my 18 mth transition.

Another thing... I misted with a water based moisturizer EVERY EVENING. I basically mixed distilled water with conditioner (cheapie) & oil (hot 6).

I have sooo many tips... I'd be here for hours If I tried to list them all. If u want more information, then send me a pm

And What Products Do I Use?
During my transition...
Poo... Motions Lavish, CON regular
Conditioners... Motions Moisture Plus, VO5-Suave-White Rain cheapies, Motions Silk Protein, Lustrasilk Aloe Cholesterol
Moisturizers...my water/conditioner/oil concoction
Gel... occasionally I would use gel to smooth down my edges... back then I used Fruit Of The Earth (FOTE) aloe vera gel (not 99% aloe vera but it's really nice at smoothing edges . Now I use Lilly of the dessert aloe vera gel *concoction* (99% real aloe vera).

Is Breaking Natural When You Are Transitioning?
I read that breakage is natural during transitioning. I experienced it, but it was at a minimum due to my regimen.

What Exactly Is A Texturizer?? Is It Better Than A Relaxer??
This is not my area of knowledge... but from what I read, it's still a relaxer...it's just left on the hair for a shorter period of time, just to loosen the curl.