It may feel foreign to stop getting touchups but commit to going natural and resist the temptation to do anything to your hair that involves a chemical treatment of some kind. Instead, give yourself a manicure or do something fun to treat yourself.
Heat styling tools include things like hairdryers, curling irons, straighteners, and hot combs. If you have a hard time not air-drying your hair, consider showering at night and then wrapping your hair in a silk scarf. This could make it easier for you to get ready in the morning and eliminate the temptation to dry your hair.
If you opt for a weave, have it sewn into your hair rather than glued. The glue can damage your hair when it’s finally removed. Look into doing a high bun updo, bantu knots, a halo braid, space buns, boxer braids, and flat-twist pigtails for some fun styles. Avoid styles that put a lot of tension on your temples or the nape of your neck. They could break the sensitive new growth and slow down your transition process.
You can trim the ends of your hair yourself after you shower, or have a professional at a salon do it for you.
Remember, you only have to go through this transitioning process once. After that, you just need to care for your natural hair. If you find yourself wondering if it’s worth it, try creating an inspiration board full of pictures of people with natural hair that you love. This can be a great way to remind yourself of why you’re doing what you’re doing.
Look for a sulfate-free shampoo. It’ll cleanse your hair but won’t strip away its natural oils. Use warm water when you shampoo rather than hot water. The warm water will open up your cuticles so your hair can get clean. You may find that you need to wash your hair more or less often, and that’s okay! Everyone is different, and what is best for your hair might look a little different.
Look for a sulfate-free shampoo. It’ll cleanse your hair but won’t strip away its natural oils. Use warm water when you shampoo rather than hot water. The warm water will open up your cuticles so your hair can get clean. You may find that you need to wash your hair more or less often, and that’s okay! Everyone is different, and what is best for your hair might look a little different.
If you need to, flip your head over to get the underside of your hair wet, too. Try playing music while you shower and let your hair soak in the water for the duration of one entire song. This can help you determine how long it has been without actually having to track the time.
Look for moisturizers that have shea butter, coconut oil, argan oil vitamin E, sunflower oil, or even olive oil. These are all wonderfully hydrating ingredients.
This method adds moisture to your hair without stripping away essential oils like shampoo tends to do. It’ll leave your hair feeling clean and soft.
This is a great way to hydrate your hair, especially as it is transitioning to its fully natural state. If you notice your hair is getting dry and brittle between washes, increase how frequently you do a mask. If you need to, do one once a week. You could even plan on doing a hair mask every time you wash your hair, especially if you have dry or brittle locks.
If you’re using a butter or liquid oil, start with just 1 teaspoon (4. 9 mL). You can add more to your hair if it’s needed, but if you use too much, your hair could end up looking greasy instead of healthy and shiny.
Don’t forget to wash your pillowcases or scarves once every 7-10 days to keep them clean.
If you do use heat to style your hair, use a heat protectant at the same time.
Never comb your hair when it’s dry. It will damage your hair and cause it to break at mid-shaft, which isn’t good for your hair growth. If you’re struggling to detangle your hair when it’s damp, use a conditioner to add some extra lubricant to your curls.
Healthy hair does start from the inside. If you combine a healthy diet with the right care methods, your hair will be in great shape!
