My Decision to Transition, a mini chop and PICS!

[theneolution]

Hi ladies! As some of you may remember, I joined this forum not too long ago, and a few weeks back I posted on my concerns and contemplation of transitioning from relaxed to natural. I've spent a ton of time juggling the idea in my head, and after exploring this forum as well as some really nice blogs ran by the lot of you, I've decided to put down the creamy crack and explore the wonders of my natural hair.

My last relaxer was on May 4th, the day before my graduation, and it was then that I noticed how terrible my hair had gotten ...

The ends of my hair were completely fried, scraggly, see-through, and just a plain over-processed mess. I had some terrible run ins with self-relaxing, that in combination of under-moisturizing, stress from school and personal life, and lack of knowledge got me to this point.

A lot of my hair broke off from the middle/back of my head ...

Before I discovered the hair care community online, my relaxed hair was APL.

Looking at the damage at the present time, however, I just knew I wanted to let go of relaxing, was tired of the risk of over-processing my hair, and seriously wanted to begin exploring the natural state of my hair.

I tried really hard to hold onto the damaged ends, but a friend of mine convinced me that it was really just best to let go of the over-processed hair. I've always placed an emphasis on length, so cutting my hair as short as it is now was never an option for me at any point. In fact, when I had a set back similar to this one in the 9th grade, my hair wasn't cut nearly this short ...

...And new growth shots:

Crazy amounts of new growth behind my ears!

I have a long road ahead of me, but I`m sure I can find some awesome support here! I`m still searching for products that make detangling much easier, and styles that work best for me. If anyone needs a transitioning buddy, I`m definitely in the search for one!

 

[~~HoneyComb~~]

Can't see your pictures, hon.

 

[theneolution]

Sorry about that! Pictures should be fixed. Thank you!

 

[Ijanei]

yes, it was time to let that go. NO offense or anything, but it looked broke and split. Hopefully your decision to transition slowly and this mini chop puts you right where you want to be when the time comes. HHG

Just have to find what works for your hair hun.
LHCF is your support system when you need it

And please keep us updated. So far I'm on my 14th month of this transition.

 

[~~HoneyComb~~]

Best of luck to you on your hair journey!!

 

[Soquin]

I'm sure you will reach your goals... Just keep your ends clipped, drink plenty of water, and find a hair care regimen that works for you.

 

[prettypithy]

A lot of my hair broke off from the middle/back of my head ...

My hair used to break right in that spot, too! I haven't had a relaxer since August 2009, transitioned for about 18 months and have been fully natural since February of this year. I'm happy to report that, while that section of hair persists in being shorter, it is now about NL (the rest is APLish). When I was relaxed, my hair stayed about two inches long in that section always even though the rest of my hair was about SL.

Judging from your new growth, you're going to have a lovely head of natural hair soon. You were right to chop the ends, they weren't doing you any favors. And since your hair is short to begin with you'll have a shorter transition if you stick with it (my transition, by contrast, seemed interminable).

In any case, congrats on your decision to transition and good luck!

 

[SEMO]

Good luck to you on your transition to natural. I know you'll do great.

 

[reeko43]

I know you will do well and I can't wait to see your update pics!

 

[tiffers]

Congrats on your decision!

Your hair looks much better after the cut.
For tips and help with your regimen, check out the transitioners thread.

 

[theneolution]

yes, it was time to let that go. NO offense or anything, but it looked broke and split. Hopefully your decision to transition slowly and this mini chop puts you right where you want to be when the time comes. HHG

Just have to find what works for your hair hun.
LHCF is your support system when you need it

And please keep us updated. So far I'm on my 14th month of this transition.

None taken, dear. I have learned to accept the hard facts when it comes to my hair, and I know my ends were a complete mess. Glad to have let them go. Thank you so much.

My hair used to break right in that spot, too! I haven't had a relaxer since August 2009, transitioned for about 18 months and have been fully natural since February of this year. I'm happy to report that, while that section of hair persists in being shorter, it is now about NL (the rest is APLish). When I was relaxed, my hair stayed about two inches long in that section always even though the rest of my hair was about SL.

Judging from your new growth, you're going to have a lovely head of natural hair soon. You were right to chop the ends, they weren't doing you any favors. And since your hair is short to begin with you'll have a shorter transition if you stick with it (my transition, by contrast, seemed interminable).

In any case, congrats on your decision to transition and good luck!

Thank you! Your hair is so thick and pretty. How often do you straighten it? Did you avoid heat during your transition? I sometimes get the urge to flat iron, but realize that may defeat the purpose of my whole desire to transition in the first place.

And thank you to everyone else, I definitely plan on keeping a photo journal of sorts, and will post my progress here.

 

[kassieme]

I wish I had documented my transition state more. What saved me was pony tail roller sets...you tube it! I rocked that with my permed hair and 5 inches of new growth at the demarcation point for 6 months in 08...then i did kinky twists for another 6 months and finally in jan of 09 I did a mini chop and did the rest in the summer and by then I had a nice chunk of a fro. Now my hair is stagnant not growing. But Im loving it no matter what length it is. Im had shoulder length after only 3 years

 

[chrisanddonniesmommy]

Good luck on your journey! It'll be fascinating and challenging; but, it'll be well worth it.

 

[Ijanei]

theneolution
I had the same issue when I first started out, mine was from to much heat and constantly hair coloring after a relaxer.... BIG mistake. So I had to basically do what you did, trim/cut off those ends and change my ways if I wanted hair. I found this site and I say about 2 months in, my hair was healthy and strong.

Just hang in there

I bet my December, you will be at least touching SL