Transitioning without BC'ing Support Thread

[AltheaGarden]

YES!!!!! I've never had short hair before. I feel like I can hide behind my hair with a ponytail or bun (if all else fails) but if it's too short, I won't know what to do on bd hair days. I don't wear scarfs out, never wore a wig and I can't do hats

BUT on the flip side of this, when I do my hair every morning (putting it in a ponytail of course ) I can see the natural curls then about 2-3inches of straight hair. I say to myself just go on and cut them off, let's just rock short hair for a while and give the ponytails a break, by the time you get tired of the short hair, hopefully my hair will be long enough to put it back in a ponytail...

Okay I see. I would suggest waiting because since you are concerned about length/styling options. I myself couldn't wait any longer. My processed ends were too thin and my hair kept knotting where the processed hair met the virgin hair, it was pissing me off. However as soon as I cut it off, I panicked because I could now longer pull by non-stretched hair back into a ponytail. It took about a week for me to be comfortable.
So yeah, you should wait if you feel that would be best. Maybe try some texture blending styles?

 

[WriterGirl]

Dang, ya'll. I co-washed my hair this evening and ONCE again I thought about BCing. Then, I stopped myself.

I don't know, my natural hair is about collar bone length, but it shrinks up to 50% so I don't think I could wear it in a wet puff yet -- I'm gonna give it until May before I pick up the scissors again.

Sigh....I have to be really strong in the next few months. I sincerely don't think I'm going to make it to January 2013.

 

[NYDee]

6 months post today. Yay!

 

[BlkMane]

Transitioning AGAIN. I tend to go back and forth. Was natural for about six years, then went back to mild relaxer for several years, now I'm sick of the relaxer again.

Had my last relaxer in October. Have about 3 inches of new growth, however my hair was cut in December by a scissor-happy stylist, (I asked for a TRIM to my all-one-length above shoulders Bob and got a shorter-in-back, wedged Bob that I can't even pull back into a ponytail.)

So now, I can't really do much but wear it straight, because if I try to wear it curly, it doesn't fall right in the back.

Therefore, as per my thread regarding Nunaat Keratin, I am about to do the BKT to make it easier to manage the two textures until I can at least gather my hair into a little ponytail.

Might be doing the Keratin later today once I get some sleep...I'm up real late tonight. Insomnia.

Wish me luck. I'll post my results.

 

[Godyssey]

Dang, ya'll. I co-washed my hair this evening and ONCE again I thought about BCing. Then, I stopped myself.

I don't know, my natural hair is about collar bone length, but it shrinks up to 50% so I don't think I could wear it in a wet puff yet -- I'm gonna give it until May before I pick up the scissors again.

Sigh....I have to be really strong in the next few months. I sincerely don't think I'm going to make it to January 2013.

That's a lot of natural hair. How much relaxed hair do you still have? Is your hair extremely hard to manage with that much new growth?

 

[WriterGirl]

Godyssey I have about 5-6 inches natural and 8-9 inches relaxed. Believe me it more psychological than anything.

The relaxed ends are more of security blanket more than anything.

 

[Godyssey]

^^^You're doing good! I only have a few inches of natural and I'm already struggling, lol.

 

[LadyChe]

Godyssey I have about 5-6 inches natural and 8-9 inches relaxed. Believe me it more psychological than anything.

The relaxed ends are more of security blanket more than anything.

This was me too! Of course, the weather was just too beautiful this weekend and I chopped.

I loved it day one. Day two - I have no idea what I'm gonna do.

 

[Solitude]

I'm six and a half months post-relaxer. I have no idea when i will cut my hair. it has never been short before, but my relaxed ends are dry and breaking some.

 

[curlcomplexity]

This week marks 6 months post for me. I'm currently wearing a weave, but I'm itching to remove it...I miss my hair. I think I may go ahead and give myself a mini chop soon. I'll probably go from MBL to APL

 

[havilland]

i am in a quandry. i need to transition to save my hair, etc. make it stronger. my ends are weak and i feel relaxing is the culprit. but i don't want to transition. i won't want to deal with two textures. i don't want to chop my hair off.

just venting.....

my name is hav and i'm 35 weeks post. LOL

 

[ChristmasCarol]

i am in a quandry. i need to transition to save my hair, etc. make it stronger. my ends are weak and i feel relaxing is the culprit. but i don't want to transition. i won't want to deal with two textures. i don't want to chop my hair off.

just venting.....

my name is hav and i'm 35 weeks post. LOL

havilland

Congrats on making it 35 weeks!

You know what that means?

You CAN deal with 2 textures - you're doin' that thang RIGHT NOW

 

[lomaxee]

I haven't posted here in a such a long time. I am 8 months post relaxer on Friday! Yippie!

Things have been going okay. I have been doing 2 strand twists most of the time. I have been wearing buns too but they make me feel dumpy and I hate it.

This humidity and excess sweating though? That's for the birds!

 

[Rae81]

I am 8 months post and need some new hairstyles because I'm getting tired of braid outs and I don't want to straighten it because its warm and I have been exercising. Any ideas

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

 

[Godyssey]

Rae81 I'm almost 6 months post and bought a phony pony. I can keep my hair in a bun and put the ponytail over it. Works for me.

 

[havilland]

@havilland

Congrats on making it 35 weeks!

You know what that means?

You CAN deal with 2 textures - you're doin' that thang RIGHT NOW

sipp100, thank you for this. i decided to go natural today. your words were the push i needed. i will never forget that.

my name is havilland.....i'm 36 weeks post and as of today, i am officially going natural.

 

[daviine]

Hey everyone! I introduced myself over on the main board and just wanted to pop in to say hello. I haven;'t been an active member for a long time but reading this thread made me decide to pay my subscription fee and participate. I told myself I wasn't going to post until I finished reading this thread but I'm only on page 53!

Anyway, today I am 19 weeks post relaxer and struggling somewhat. At first, transitioning seemed easy, but somewhere along the way I got lost. I started buying all these products (once a PJ...lol) and they don't seem to be working for me. This week my hair was super dry so I experienced crazy breakage!!!

I've bought products designed for naturals or natural ingredients at the health food store but they don't seem to work well for me. So, I'm just going to finish using up my products that have cones or whatever other no-nos, and try the "natural" products again in a few weeks or months.

I don't know when I will BC but I figure hanging out here will help me to transition as long as I can. I've never really had short hair so I'm not really wanting to BC (except when I look at those relaxed ends). The shortest my hair has ever been was like chin length and I hated it so I can't imagine loving hair shorter than that.

Thanks for letting me ramble. Looking forward to transitioning with you!

 

[CandiceC]

Hey everyone! I introduced myself over on the main board and just wanted to pop in to say hello. I haven;'t been an active member for a long time but reading this thread made me decide to pay my subscription fee and participate. I told myself I wasn't going to post until I finished reading this thread but I'm only on page 53!

Anyway, today I am 19 weeks post relaxer and struggling somewhat. At first, transitioning seemed easy, but somewhere along the way I got lost. I started buying all these products (once a PJ...lol) and they don't seem to be working for me. This week my hair was super dry so I experienced crazy breakage!!!

I've bought products designed for naturals or natural ingredients at the health food store but they don't seem to work well for me. So, I'm just going to finish using up my products that have cones or whatever other no-nos, and try the "natural" products again in a few weeks or months.

I don't know when I will BC but I figure hanging out here will help me to transition as long as I can. I've never really had short hair so I'm not really wanting to BC (except when I look at those relaxed ends). The shortest my hair has ever been was like chin length and I hated it so I can't imagine loving hair shorter than that.

Thanks for letting me ramble. Looking forward to transitioning with you!

Welcome back, daviine.

I remember you.

 

[Gemini350z]

I am about 7 months post...I am really having a hard time. I have been wearing a weave for about 90% of the time. I dont know what to do when I take this out on Monday. I am struggling with the two textures.

 

[ChristmasCarol]

sipp100, thank you for this. i decided to go natural today. your words were the push i needed. i will never forget that.

my name is havilland.....i'm 36 weeks post and as of today, i am officially going natural.

Aww, you're welcome, @havilland

I lurk on quite a few hair forums, but LHCF is tops when it comes to long term (18 months+) transitioning. You'll find all the info and support you'll need right here! I should know.....I've been transitioning for the whole 3 years I've been a member

Do you know how you plan to style your hair the next few months?

 

[A856]

My co-worker BC and it looks sooooo cute on her. I gave me hope that I too can BC and maybe even look cute too!

Just a thought tho' I'm not BC'ing this weekend.....

 

[WriterGirl]

A856 You and me are >>>here<<<.

 

[A856]

WriterGirl; LOL! Girl I had to catch myself, I wanted to touch her hair. Her curls were so curly and soft looking.
I started to ask her what products she uses, but the meeting was getting ready to start I think I might still ask her at a different time

 

[shermeezy]

Gemini350z

Hang in there! You're currently in the toughest part of your transition. I had lots of frustration and doubt when I got to 6 months post. I had to start thinking differently about my hair at that point and not care as much about the relaxed ends. My first mini chop at 9 months post was the hardest. I went from MBL to chin length. Things got so much easier once I did that first mini chop. There was a drastic reduction in the amount of time it took for me to detangle and style my hair. My hair has grown so much since that first chop. I have 1-2 inches of relaxed hair left which I will be removing in the next few weeks on my anniversary date (24 months post relaxer in April!!!).

Don't be too hard on yourself. It takes a lot of time to deal with 2 textures. Stick with simple styles for now. Buns are your friend. Make sure you're detangling in the shower with tons of conditioner.

Good Luck!!

I am about 7 months post...I am really having a hard time. I have been wearing a weave for about 90% of the time. I dont know what to do when I take this out on Monday. I am struggling with the two textures.

 

[Anonymous1]

I wiLL BE 9 months post on the 29th. I can't believe I made it this far.

 

[Godyssey]

I had to start thinking differently about my hair at that point and not care as much about the relaxed ends.

That was me. I realized that I would eventually be cutting off my relaxed ends so I was manhandling them. Now I realize that if I want to put off the BC for as long as I can, I have to treat my ends more gently.

 

[havilland]

Aww, you're welcome, @havilland

I lurk on quite a few hair forums, but LHCF is tops when it comes to long term (18 months+) transitioning. You'll find all the info and support you'll need right here! I should know.....I've been transitioning for the whole 3 years I've been a member

Do you know how you plan to style your hair the next few months?

I plan to co wash and wear my mop top ponytail, buns and half wigs when I have a bad hair day....... Deep condish these ends once or twice a week because I don't plan to cut my hair. Just trim as needed.

Since I texlax and long term stretch anyways.....I might as well go for it. As you pointed out, I deal with two textures most of the time anyways. textures don't LOOK much different.(they feel and act different) So I'm just gonna stop touching it up and see what happens.

 

[havilland]

GEMINI35oz here is some info I copied in 2010 that helped me. The original poster was on kiss. I forget her name. I don't use all the tips but this helped me alot. I used to stretch 10-12 months. These Stretching rules can be applied to transitioning as well. The point is to deal with the two textures successfully. I never had any breakage the entire 5 years I have been doing long stretches. (if the original poster of this is here, thank u! And please take credit for this!)

STRETCHING RULES--
I decided to repost this (originally in my blog and 6 month stretching group) in the "Stretchers Help Discussion" forum because I see a lot of ladies here are still having difficulties stretching. I feel for them because I have been in their shoes. Just wanted to tell what I've learned in hopes of helping at least one person. HHJ!
*
The first time I did this 6th month stretch thing I struggled after I hit that 4th month ( note: I'm a 4A hair type) mark so I promised myself I would get to the bottom of my issues once and for all this time around.
My number one problem was itchiness. Yes, my scalp is sensitive to my own natural hair. This does not go away until I have a significant amount of new growth. I knew this was coming so I went before hand and purchased a bottle of peppermint oil.
So rule #1: Calm the itch with oil, not fingernails! Mix ten drops of peppermint oil with a favorite hair oil (mine is coconut) for itches! Best applied after hair has been freshly shampooed. Cools the scalp like nobody's business!!!
My second issue is combing out two different textures of hair after a good shampoo. Or at least the first time around it was too textures. Now that I am transitioning to texlaxed it's 3 textures. You know the deal. Dryness. Breakage from the slightest pull of the comb. Tangling. So here is how I deal with that.
Rule #2: Deep condition on dry hair. That's right. Get a big tub of the thickest, most moisturizing, deep conditioner you can find. Apply to dry hair. Cover with plastic cap (or plastic wrap. I do both), let sit 45 mins. or sit under the dryer for 15 mins.THEN shampoo out. That's right. Shampoo after.
Rule #3: Scrub that scalp, not the hair. On days that I don't deep condition, I put hair in braids, get in the shower and shampoo focusing only on the scalp. Rinse. Unbraid each braid & apply conditioner to the hair, one by one. Then...
Rule #4: Comb hair out UNDER the running water. Then ponytail, & braid UNDER the running water. Can't say this enough because every time I skip this step I'm in a world of trouble. I ALWAYS have to use the force of the water running thru my hair to aide me in combing it out.
Rule #5: Must have a good leave-in conditioner. It's a small rule for me but helps. I apply plain old VO5 conditioner to my braids and let air dry 75%.
Rule #6: Conditioner is your bff! Now this is a new rule! After reaching 4 months post I switch out my VO5 conditioner for a much, MUCH thicker one for my new growth. When my hair is 75% dry apply a thick MOISTURIZING (not protein) conditioner to the new growth and seal with a favorite oil.
THATS RIGHT! I LEAVE CONDITIONER IN MY HAIR! Let me explain. Now I do this 2 ways:
6a) I use a quarter size amount of Motions on each section of hair, working it in good before detangling a second time with a wide tooth comb. I seal with oil, then comb thu with a fine tooth comb (Not too fine. If I feel it tugging on my hair the comb is too fine) to loosen the natural wave pattern.
6b) I mix Shea Butter with a thick deep conditioner (About 4 tbsp. Shea to 8 tbsp. deep conditioner. A tsp of honey for preservative, & a tsp of my favorite oils). Apply that (do my combing method: see 6a) and keep it moving.
*Special 6c note for natural folks, folks going natural, or people with kids that have natural hair*: I have found that applying deep conditioner (not too heavily) after you shampoo, sitting under a dryer (or letting it sit 45 mins.) then styling your hair WITH the conditioner STILL in the hair can be very helpful. Just seal with oil. This helps comb thru courser hair textures with ease.

NOTE: I only apply this thick conditioner to the new growth. See rule number 7 for the rest!

Rule #7: Low manipulation is the key to happiness. I have developed this thing for putting my hair in 2 donut buns and leaving it there until my next wash. I place my hair in two ponytails after doing rules 1-5. I apply VO5 conditioner. Comb thru with a wide tooth combs (starting at the ends and working my way up).
Then I seal with oil. My favorite oil mixture for my ends is 60% Coconut oil, 30% Jojoba oil, 10% Castor oil. I have fine hair strands so this works for me. *Someone with thicker hair I'd recommend reducing the Coconut oil and upping the Jojoba and Castor oil percentage significantly*.
I comb the hair with a finer toothed comb, then twist it round into a donut bun, laying the ends flat against my hair and pinning the bulk of the hair over them. I ALWAYS do this when my hair is damp. If the hair dries too quickly I mist it again. With the slightly damp ( NOT WET) and in a bun the moisture stays locked in for a day or two.
Rule #8: Keep those edges looking tight. If my edges feels a little dry by the time I finish then I mist them again, then apply a satin scarf. I tell you, 20 mins. in a satin scarf is all I need to have a nice sleek look. Of course I scarf overnight too.
Rule #9: Right amount of protein to balance all that moisture! Protein treatment every 4-6 weeks. I can get moisture overload a bit due to my fine hair strands. It also helps strengthen that line of demarcation. I often follow a protein treatment with a moisturizing one.
Rule #10: Have fun with your hair on the weekends but don't force it to do something it doesn't want to do. I have rollerset my hair (often a ponytail set do to new growth), and blew out the roots once in a while for a straight look but keeping a straight look can be drying when you have a lot of new growth. I never have my hair straight more than 4 days. Actually this rule should be called, "Moisture is more important than style." It is more important that my hair maintain the proper moisture balance, than maintain a straight look. This leads me to rule number 11.
Rule #11: Water is my friend, even in the winter time. I wash (or at least rinse with conditioner) my hair every 4 days in winter, and 3 days in summer. Why? This helps me maintain a proper moisture balance in my hair strands, and keeps my scalp happy. When I went from washing my hair every 7 days to every 3-4 days 50% of my issues went away. One very big one I had for years was dry flaky scalp. This went away after just 2 weeks of doing this. And yes I use a VERY moisturizing shampoo. I also rinse (not wash) from time to time with VO5 conditioner before I hit my 4th month post.
Those are my rules for stretching that chemical process. I hope this helps someone out there struggling because I sure wish I knew it last year. Heck, I wish I knew it ten years ago.
HHJ!

 

[WriterGirl]

[B]Rule #2[/B]: Deep condition on dry hair. That's right. Get a big tub of the thickest, most moisturizing, deep conditioner you can find. Apply to dry hair. Cover with plastic cap (or plastic wrap. I do both), let sit 45 mins. or sit under the dryer for 15 mins.THEN shampoo out. That's right. Shampoo after. [/QUOTE]

Thanks [USER=43097]havilland. This rule right here has saved me during my transition.

 

[havilland]

Thanks @havilland. This rule right here has saved me during my transition.

yes! i agree. i copied that whole post to my phone and would refer to it like a manual whenever i hit a sticking block in my hair care.......that dry deep condition saved my life one night! i read that entry, went to CVS. bought a tub of bio infusion deep condish. soaked my hair in it and lived to stretch another day