Transitioning without BC'ing Support Thread
- Thread starter Smiley79
- Start date
xu93texas
Well-Known Member
Hi ladies, I'm officially transitioning as of today. I've tried to once before and lasted 19 weeks. So this time around I will have support from you ladies.
For those that have been transitioning for 6+ months, what products are a must to help with new growth/detangling?? So far the ng isn't a problem, but once I get to 15-16 weeks, it maybe a problem. The only new thing that I purchased is Darcy's Botanicals Coconut and Lemongrass Transitioning Cream. I also have Qhemet's Cocoa Tree Detangling Ghee. Is that enough?
Thanks for letting me hangout here for a few weeks. I'm outta here. I relaxed today and I feel great. I knew I had an appt. coming up to get a rinse and get my hair flat-ironed and I decided that this is not for me . I've tried several times before and I've always decided to go back to relaxers. Imho, I'm in love with the idea of being natural, but deep down I don't want to go through with the transition process and a TWA isn't an option at this point. I've had short hair all my life and I refuse to cut my hair.
Good luck ladies with your transition.
chrisanddonniesmommy
New Member
After annoyingly dealing with troublesome shampoo sessions, I have decided to use sulfate-free shampoos from now on. I couldn't stand how my hair would turn gluey and gunky as I washed it. I'm assuming that my hair can no longer take shampoo sulfates any more (which is weird because I didn't have any issues while relaxed).
Anyway, I went to Target today and got the Giovanni 50/50 Sulfate-Free shampoo that some LHCFers had been raving about and I've been ignoring. So, I'll wash my hair tomorrow (my last shampoo of 2011!!) and see how it goes. I really hope it works for my hair. I've been about through with shampoos.
As for the New Year, I'm still keeping my reggie simple as I hit my twenties (20+ months of my transition). I wish all a Happy and Successful New Year!!!
Anyway, I went to Target today and got the Giovanni 50/50 Sulfate-Free shampoo that some LHCFers had been raving about and I've been ignoring. So, I'll wash my hair tomorrow (my last shampoo of 2011!!) and see how it goes. I really hope it works for my hair. I've been about through with shampoos.
As for the New Year, I'm still keeping my reggie simple as I hit my twenties (20+ months of my transition). I wish all a Happy and Successful New Year!!!
Anonymous1
sliding under the radar
I'm getting a sew in on Sunday. It's six months in.
Evallusion
LiloLombardi
I want a sew-in so bad but they are so darn expensive....Maybe I'll get one mid-late January...gotta save up. I googled that Remy hair and it is serious!
Post some pics!
NikkiGirl
Well-Known Member
I am having a easy time taking care of my hair the more and more it grows out, which is very encouraging. I flat ironed today just for my annual length check and the only thing I could think the whole time was how I could be damaging my curls. Paranoid. I know. My hair is growing steadily and I really have nothing to complain about.
WriterGirl
Well-Known Member
Checking in at 11 months and some change. I shampoo with either Giovanni Smooth as Silk or Elasta QP Creme Conditioning Shampoo. Condish with either AOWC or Smooth as Silk. Use AOHSR between washing to help moisturize and keep my hair stretched.
Still using the curlformers to stretch out the hair and sitting under the dryer. But now I usually just wear my up in curly updos or buns.
So glad I chose to long term transition. I'm getting to learn what works for my hair and keeping/growing out the length. The longer my natural gets, the easier it has become for me.
January 25th will be year and I can see myself going 12 more months or longer.
Still using the curlformers to stretch out the hair and sitting under the dryer. But now I usually just wear my up in curly updos or buns.
So glad I chose to long term transition. I'm getting to learn what works for my hair and keeping/growing out the length. The longer my natural gets, the easier it has become for me.
January 25th will be year and I can see myself going 12 more months or longer.
naturalmanenyc
Well-Known Member
jayjaycurlz
Well-Known Member
I am also using keratin treatments and haven't had any problems. Its when the treatment starts to wear off an the ph of my hair changes when those pesky ssk's return and my ends get more brittle. This just means I have to baby my ends more.
Anonymous1
sliding under the radar
I want a sew-in so bad but they are so darn expensive....Maybe I'll get one mid-late January...gotta save up. I googled that Remy hair and it is serious!
Post some pics!
Evallusion
Girl I was in the weave store yesterday and I was like OMG weave is that serious.
My cousin is a stylist and she went with me. I'm glad she was there. I would have walked out. I had a sew in one time before but I only left it in for one day
. Good thing my cousin did it and got the hair for me but she was pissed I freaked out when i got it and I didn't like the hair color. This time I'm leaving my top out because that full head just didn't feel right to me.
Evallusion
LiloLombardi
10 weeks post today.... My roots are "woofing". My hair is loose at the moment and I'm wearing a straight half wig. I'm gonna have to get braided or weaved up asap because I hate manipulation. But so far the half wig is doing the trick.
mylene
Well-Known Member
Hi Ladies, first time posting in this thread. I am now 8 months post and feel quite frustrated at this point.
I wore my hair in mini twists with extensions for the past couple of months (kept them for a month then gave my hair a one-week rest and put them back). I got a dominican blow out on saturday and am maintaining the style by sleeping with flexi rods. So far so good but I am soooo bored with this transition process. I want to wait at least until I hit my 1-year mark to decide whether to cut or not. The more my hair grows the harder my washing sessions become. I use Salerm wheat germ mask to DC and I love it. It really moisturizes my hair and softens my NG but still...
Do you think it would be too much heat if I blow dried my hair every week after washing to bun? That way I could still wear my hair out, DC weekly and keep shedding to a minimum (although it is getting very bad already). The front part of my hair is 4a, the middle 4b/c (horrible shedding) and the back is maybe 3c/4a ish. Or else I am starting to consider a BKT but I would really HATE it if my hair did not revert and I had to start transition number 2. I would just die!! At this point even if I wanted to relax I would still have to cut my hair quite a lot because the middle part is shorter than the rest now. Help!
I wore my hair in mini twists with extensions for the past couple of months (kept them for a month then gave my hair a one-week rest and put them back). I got a dominican blow out on saturday and am maintaining the style by sleeping with flexi rods. So far so good but I am soooo bored with this transition process. I want to wait at least until I hit my 1-year mark to decide whether to cut or not. The more my hair grows the harder my washing sessions become. I use Salerm wheat germ mask to DC and I love it. It really moisturizes my hair and softens my NG but still...
Do you think it would be too much heat if I blow dried my hair every week after washing to bun? That way I could still wear my hair out, DC weekly and keep shedding to a minimum (although it is getting very bad already). The front part of my hair is 4a, the middle 4b/c (horrible shedding) and the back is maybe 3c/4a ish. Or else I am starting to consider a BKT but I would really HATE it if my hair did not revert and I had to start transition number 2. I would just die!! At this point even if I wanted to relax I would still have to cut my hair quite a lot because the middle part is shorter than the rest now. Help!
chrisanddonniesmommy
New Member
Try not to use too much heat. Your hair is extremely fragile at this point because of the two textures. Could you do a blow-out once a month? Also, could you refrain from Dominican blowouts? I'd hate for you to have a major setback or any damage.
Proudpiscean
Well-Known Member
I ended my transition on Jan 1st, just shy of the 2 year mark. Best of luck to those continuing the journey! Frequent co-washes, braid-outs and bunning is what got me through the rough patches.
lolascurls
New Member
Hair is dead the minute it leaves your scalp so it cannot sense whether it is relaxed or not. You are probably going through phase in the hair cycle where more of your hairs are at the shedding phase. I find that garlic oil pills worked for me to curb this. Hope that helps, hon!
lolascurls
New Member
Hi, hon! I would advice not to go crazy with the heat as this could be damaging your hair before you get off the bat. Once a month blow-outs might be the thing! I had to change my hair washing practices as I moved further in my transition and I said good bye to bunning after about 10 months!
If you are BORED (like I was around 11-12 months) try a protective style that is easy for you to maintain and wash: I used kinky twists. I could spray it daily to moisturize and I could baggy if I wanted.
I even bunned those twists! For most of the year, I alternated between two-strand twists on my own hair (in updos) and kinky twists. I even played with the African threading method for a month and found the extra bonus of stretched hair (check my Youtube channel for how-to).
Hang in there, hon! You're doing great!
jayjaycurlz
Well-Known Member
gn1g - I'd say yes, this can happen if you don't change your hair practices. Remember, you now have two different textures on your head that may require different products and grooming techniques. You can't treat your NG like you would the relaxed part of your hair. Through this transition I've realized that my natural hair is more stronger than my texlaxed hair. The ends of my hair is the oldest and is texlaxed and is more prone to splits and SSKs if I don't take care of them. Daily moisture+sealling, weekly moisturizing DCs and monthly protein/henna has helped me a lot!
I'd suggest to do a test on the shed hair: Fill a cup half way with water, drop a shed hair to see if it floats of sinks. If the hair floats, your hair has good moisture retention and maybe a protein treatment might help. If your hair sinks, it is moisture-starved and you need to increase the moisture you're giving to your hair.
@Sistaslick had an awesome thread about shed vs. broken hairs and the moisture/protein balance, look it up. There was a lot of good info in that thread.
Hope this helps!
mylene
Well-Known Member
Thanks! It was my first dominican blowout in 2 months. However she did use a LOT of heat so I have to admit I'm a little worried that it made the breakage worse. Can't really tell for now since I haven't washed my hair since but I don't think i will get another one anytime soon...
mylene
Well-Known Member
Awww thanks for the support. I will definitely check out your channel. I am extremely BORED indeed.
Also I'm a major PJ and I have tons of products sitting in my bathroom that I would love to try....anyway following my last dominican blowout experience I have decided to be reasonable and go back to my twists for a month or 2.
Btw I think i should have used the word breaking instead of shedding because that's what it is in my case
at this point.
Proudpiscean
Well-Known Member
Seriously -- can anyone offer feedback?erplexed
05girl Do you use heat protectant when blowdrying/flat ironing? It could be heat damage, or it could just be your texture. It's hard to really tell the curl pattern though until you are fully natural. Up your moisture level by deep conditioning and moisturizing more frequently. You may also need to give your hair a break from heat for a while.
fitnessmommy
Well-Known Member
Can I just complain for a second? Please? Oh my gawwwwwsh the tangles! They are awful. Transitioning sucks so bad. =( Ok, now that I have gotten that out of my system... I am 4 months post! So proud of myself... I used to texlax every 4 weeks like clockwork... it's kind of interesting to see what MY hair looks like. ;-)
naturallygoldie
Well-Known Member
@05girl I second that it may be heat damage. I got really lazy in August/September and now I have a patch of hair in the back that resembles yours. I let the lady use too much heat from the blowdryer. I can flatiron without damage but too much blowdrying 
While its hard to tell before you're completely natural, you can get a glimpse of some type of curl or wave. I don't see any (just like my patch). Be sure to DC and keep up your moisture/protein balance...maybe lay off the heat to see if you notice any change for a few weeks. hhg
While its hard to tell before you're completely natural, you can get a glimpse of some type of curl or wave. I don't see any (just like my patch). Be sure to DC and keep up your moisture/protein balance...maybe lay off the heat to see if you notice any change for a few weeks. hhg
curlcomplexity
formerly qtslim83
I've been doing OK with my transition. I've only used heat on my entire head once in the past 4 months. I've been wearing braidouts most of the time and recently went back to bunning. It's cool to see the waves as I pull my hair back
I am concerned with the potential dryness that I may face. The hair that I've already chopped in the back gets very dry and rough a day after I co-wash/DC...even with moisturizer.
...also I've been stalking NaturallyCandi (sp?) and HairCrush's YT channels. I would love a fro like Candi's after a year
I am concerned with the potential dryness that I may face. The hair that I've already chopped in the back gets very dry and rough a day after I co-wash/DC...even with moisturizer.
...also I've been stalking NaturallyCandi (sp?) and HairCrush's YT channels. I would love a fro like Candi's after a year
ChristmasCarol
Well-Known Member
Everybody!I'm so excited ladies! Today's wash 'n go actually looked authentic - FINALLY! I didn't have to use rods on the ends, either. The natural hair has nearly taken over.
naturallygoldie
Proudpiscean
thanks guys. I suppose it's true
. As far as I can tell, my moisture/protein levels are fine. I deep condition with every wash since my hair is very non-porous.
I may just be one of those straight-haired naturals
(still deciding I suppose). I'm not a good styler and it just seems easier to wear it straightened. Although I really wish to see my natural curls, my #1 main goal is growth/length. (I've only been SL ONCE in my life, and that did not last long)
As well, since my hair is so short (NL), I'm not a fan of the shrinkage that a twist out and stuff would look... although I may change my mind if I can ever get it to look good LOL.
Seriously, so jealous of the longer haired girls who are transitioning.. I really think they have it easier since they have more styling options and more styles that look ok (like bunning, nice hanging twistouts, etc).
What a journey...
Proudpiscean
thanks guys. I suppose it's true
. As far as I can tell, my moisture/protein levels are fine. I deep condition with every wash since my hair is very non-porous.I may just be one of those straight-haired naturals
(still deciding I suppose). I'm not a good styler and it just seems easier to wear it straightened. Although I really wish to see my natural curls, my #1 main goal is growth/length. (I've only been SL ONCE in my life, and that did not last long)As well, since my hair is so short (NL), I'm not a fan of the shrinkage that a twist out and stuff would look... although I may change my mind if I can ever get it to look good LOL.
Seriously, so jealous of the longer haired girls who are transitioning.. I really think they have it easier since they have more styling options and more styles that look ok (like bunning, nice hanging twistouts, etc).
What a journey...
@naturallygoldie
@Proudpiscean
thanks guys. I suppose it's true
I may just be one of those straight-haired naturals
As well, since my hair is so short (NL), I'm not a fan of the shrinkage that a twist out and stuff would look... although I may change my mind if I can ever get it to look good LOL.
Seriously, so jealous of the longer haired girls who are transitioning.. I really think they have it easier since they have more styling options and more styles that look ok (like bunning, nice hanging twistouts, etc).
What a journey...
Don't worry, I think you will see your curls once your natural hair gets longer or when you BC. Although, your hair may be a little "heat trained" due to the heat.
I feel the complete opposite. I decided to transition a few weeks ago and I wish I decided when I was neck length. That way, it would probably take 1 year or a little more to get back to that length naturally then chop off.
ChristmasCarol
Well-Known Member
05girl
MsDee14
I agree with you, 05Girl, that transitioning with long hair may be easier. The types of updos/buns that can be done on APL+ hair are limitless. The natural hair can be "hidden" early on and then the relaxed hair can be "hidden" as the transition continues into several years.
However, I aso agree with you, MsDee14, if my hair was shorter when I began transitioning, I would have had a one-year transition instead of a 3 1/2 year transition!
MsDee14
I agree with you, 05Girl, that transitioning with long hair may be easier. The types of updos/buns that can be done on APL+ hair are limitless. The natural hair can be "hidden" early on and then the relaxed hair can be "hidden" as the transition continues into several years.
However, I aso agree with you, MsDee14, if my hair was shorter when I began transitioning, I would have had a one-year transition instead of a 3 1/2 year transition!
ChristmasCarol
Well-Known Member
05girl
My bf was a heat-trained natural when she first transitioned, and then she "transitioned" from being heat-trained to curly natural. She just routinely cuts off the heat-trained hair as the curly hair grows out.
After your hair grows past SL, your styling options will expand. Just do what you need to do to get it there - whether straightening or PSing in some way.
My bf was a heat-trained natural when she first transitioned, and then she "transitioned" from being heat-trained to curly natural. She just routinely cuts off the heat-trained hair as the curly hair grows out.
After your hair grows past SL, your styling options will expand. Just do what you need to do to get it there - whether straightening or PSing in some way.
Similar threads
