Growing your hair out from relaxed to natural can surely be a daunting task; however there are several strategies that can reduce the fret and frizz of the transition. The ease of these strategies will be based on your natural texture, lifestyle, and possibly keratin treatments.

First let me state that the softer or looser your natural texture is, the easier it will be to have both relaxer and new growth coexist. Therefore, the opposite will be true of really course, thick hair. This is because the degree of difference between the two will determine the amount of tension you will need to apply in general styling. The greater the textures vary (from relaxed to natural), the more impacted stress to the demarcation line where they meet. If you have very course hair, it may actually be practical to cut the hair after several inches of natural hair has grown in as to not experience considerable breaking and shedding. If your hair is soft, this may not be required until much later, if at all. Ideally, one inch new growth equals one inch of relaxed hair cut away.

 Having acknowledged the role that hair texture will play, we have to factor in life style. Are you active in exercise or work outdoors? Do you perspire either generally or due to hormone changes?  If this is the case, then sew-ins, straw sets, or braided styles will prove to be a viable option when pressing reversion is inevitable. These styles can be worn for extended periods and provide low maintenance, and low frizz periods of style management.   I also recommend getting a genuine Keratin treatment for many natural textures. They provide considerable strengthening, shine, and smoothing to unruly hair for many of our natural hair/ and color treated clients.

 Given your hair is relaxed or natural, healthy hair begins with moisture and healthy scalp. So going natural is not the only solution to damaged hair. Relaxed hair can be healthy when cared for properly. And natural hair can be damaged just the same. Ask yourself:  What are your expectations of your natural hair? Are you willing to give up some things in order to gain a lot? Natural hair is more resilient, yet it takes more effort to keep a polished look. Are you tolerant to any reversion when it’s humid outside, or not swimming at your leisure? Does it have to stay pressed straight or is the curly look more your style? The answer to these questions will indicate if relaxed or natural is best for you. If growing natural is your goal, stay the course! The benefits may outlast the challenges of the transition.