You have a few choices when it comes to transitioning: you can grow it out (which takes time and patience”>, cut off all of the chemicals, or cut half of it off and get regular trims (3 to 4 inches”> every 3 months to speed up the process. Unfortunately, there isn’t a quick fix or one right answer. You will have to do what is right for you.
But there are some ways to make the transition easier, and to insure that your hair is as healthy as it can be during the process.
Remember that the point where your natural and your relaxed hair meet is the most vulnerable and is more likely to break if not properly handled and taken care of. You want to keep your hair well-conditioned and hydrated to ensure a smooth transition.
To help you with that, CURLS offers the “Transitioning Diva Kit,” which has all of the products needed to get you through this transition.
Here are a few key steps that you must commit to.
- You definitely need to start by getting a deep treatment with heat weekly for the next few months. Invest in the Hair Therapy Wrap, now available on our website (and a few plastic caps to cover your hair”>. This portable invention allows you to do chores, check email, etc. while conditioning at the same. You no longer have to sit under a hot dryer or go to a salon for deep treatment…invest $22 in a Heat Therapy Wrap and do it yourself! Your hair needs a conditioner that is geared to replenish chemically altered hair. CURLS Curl Ecstasy Hair Tea conditioner will transform your dry, chemically damaged, over-stressed tresses within minutes! This magical Asian tea formulation combines natural botanicals and vitamin-packed extracts with rich, exotic emollients to moisturize, condition, strengthen and protect your delicate locks.
- It is imperative that you moisturize your hair daily. Our Quenched Curls moisturizer is a great option. It softens the hair, eases combability, moisturizes and conditions, preps it for the next step, and leaves a little goodness behind. Use this daily.
- Over-shampooing and under-conditioning are common culprits for dry, frizzy hair. Therefore, shampooing more than once a week is not recommended. I recommend shampooing two to three times a month, for dry or damaged hair, and once a week for undamaged curly hair. On the other “shampoo-less” days, do a conditioning rinse—rinse hair to remove styling products (this is where using the right products that are water soluble come in….such as our products”>, apply an ample amount of our conditioner, comb through, rinse and proceed with styling. Doing so will pump much-needed moisture back into your hair without stripping away essential nutrients, rinse away unnecessary dirt and oil and give you a fresh clean start.
- Also, using the right products, with quality ingredients, is absolutely necessary. Avoid products with mineral or petrolatum oil in them because these synthetic oils coat and suffocate the hair shaft, blocking moisture out and drying out the hair. If applied directly to the scalp, mineral and petrolatum oil can actually retard growth. If your hair requires oil, always opt for a natural oil such as our pure pomegranate oil, jojoba, coconut, almond, etc. These natural oils actually penetrate and moisturize the hair. Also avoid drying products such as gels, hairsprays and mousses. If you need curl hold, opt for curl enhancers, lotions and creams such as our CURLS Curls Milkshake. I highly recommend Curls Milkshake during your transition because you will love it. It is the perfect leave in for all curlies…especially for those with needy, dry curls. Derived from natural milks (coconut and sweet almond milk”>, this moisturizing cream will bring life back to your overworked tresses. Curls Milkshake is the perfect product for transitioners. It helps to “bridge the gap” between the natural and relaxed hair and works well as “new growth smoother.”
- Reduce the amount of times per month you heat process your hair. If you currently are doing so three times month, cut back to twice a month with a goal of doing it once a month max! This will ensure the health and integrity of your hair.
- Make sure you get regular trims. Starting off with an inch or two is a great idea to get off to a good start.
