How To Transition To Natural Hair After Years Of colouring?
Julia is a professional hairstylist that worked in different hair…
Transitioning refers to the process of growing out chemically-treated or damaged hair to embrace one’s natural hair texture.
Many people who have used chemical relaxers or color treatments on their hair for a long time may want to transition to natural hair for various reasons, such as promoting hair health, embracing their natural hair texture, or reducing hair maintenance costs. However, transitioning can be a challenging process as it requires patience and dedication to grow out damaged hair while maintaining its health.
In addition, this process involves adopting a new hair care routine, using suitable hair products, and protecting the hair from further damage. Nevertheless, with the right approach and mindset, anyone can successfully transition to natural hair and achieve healthy, beautiful hair.
In This Article
Key Takeaways:
- Determine your hair type to understand which hair products, hairstyles, and haircare routines best suit your hair type.
- Stop coloring your hair to allow it time to recover from the damage and grow back naturally.
- Cut off the damaged ends regularly to promote healthy hair growth and prevent split ends.
- Use protein treatments to repair damaged hair, restore the hair’s natural strength and elasticity, and avoid breakage.
- Moisturize your hair with a moisturizing shampoo, conditioner, and hair masks to keep your hair hydrated and nourished.
- Be patient and consistent, even when the process feels frustrating, as transitioning to natural hair takes time.
- Try protective styles like braids, twists, and bantu knots to protect your hair from breakage and damage.
- Take hair growth supplements to accelerate the transition to natural hair and provide it with the nutrients it needs to thrive.
- Take care of your scalp by keeping it clean and nourished and massaging it regularly to increase blood flow and promote hair growth.
How To Transition To Natural Hair
Transitioning to natural hair after years of coloring can be a challenging process. Still, with the right approach and patience, it is achievable. Here are some tips to help you transition to natural hair:
Determine Your Hair Type
Determining your hair type is critical when transitioning to natural hair. First, you must understand whether you have straight, wavy, curly, or kinky hair. This understanding will help you determine which hair products are best suited for your hair type, how frequently you should wash your hair, and which hairstyles will be most beneficial. Knowing your hair type will also help you choose the best haircare routine for your hair, which can help prevent breakage, damage, and hair loss.
Stop Coloring Your Hair
Coloring your hair can damage it and make it harder to transition to natural hair. To successfully transition to natural hair, you must stop coloring your hair altogether. Even if you are tempted to touch up your roots, resist the urge and allow your hair to grow naturally. When you stop coloring your hair, you give your hair time to recover from the damage and start growing back naturally.
Cut Off The Damaged Ends
After years of coloring, your hair may be weak, brittle, and prone to breakage. Consider cutting off the damaged ends of your hair to promote healthy hair growth. A regular trim will also help keep your hair healthy and prevent split ends. In addition, regular trims can help remove damaged hair and allow your hair to grow stronger, shinier, and healthier.
Use Protein Treatments
Coloring your hair can make your hair dry, weak, and brittle. Protein treatments are an excellent way to strengthen your hair and prevent breakage. Protein treatments help repair damaged hair, and they restore the hair’s natural strength and elasticity. Incorporating protein treatments into your haircare routine can help improve the overall health of your hair, making it easier to transition to natural hair.
Moisturize Your Hair
Moisturizing your hair is essential to keep it healthy, shiny, and strong. Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair hydrated and nourished. Also, consider using hair masks to help lock in moisture and promote hair growth. Hair masks are packed with nutrients that can help improve the health of your hair, making it more manageable and more accessible to style.
Be Patient
Transitioning to natural hair takes time and patience. You must be patient and consistent, even when the process feels frustrating. Remember that it takes time for your hair to grow and become healthy. Don’t be discouraged by setbacks or challenges; focus on achieving healthy, natural hair. With time and dedication, you can achieve your hair goals.
Try Protective Styles
Protective styles like braids, twists and bantu knots can help protect your hair from breakage and damage. However, ensure to keep these styles in for a short time, as they can cause harm to your hair. Protective styles help keep your hair healthy and minimize the manipulation required to style your hair daily. With protective styles, you can keep your hair in good condition while transitioning to natural hair.
Take Hair Supplements
Some hair supplements like biotin and folic acid can help promote hair growth and strengthen hair follicles. Before starting any supplements, please consult with your healthcare provider to ensure they are safe for you. Taking supplements can help accelerate the transition to natural hair and provide your hair with the nutrients it needs to thrive.
Take Care Of Your Scalp
The scalp is the foundation for healthy hair. Take care of your scalp by keeping it clean and nourished. You can also massage your scalp regularly to increase blood flow and promote hair growth. Massaging your scalp helps to stimulate hair growth and can help to prevent hair loss. When you take care of your scalp
What’s The Transitioning Timeline?
The time it takes to transition to natural hair entirely varies from person to person and depends on factors such as the length of your hair, the amount of damage caused by coloring, and how fast your hair grows. Typically, the process can take six months to 2 years or longer. It may take longer if you have longer hair or transitioning from relaxed to natural hair.
Being patient and consistent with your hair care routine during the transition is essential. Focus on taking good care of your hair and be gentle with it to minimize breakage and damage. Remember that the transition to natural hair can be a journey, and it may take some time to find the right hair products and styling techniques that work best for your hair type.
Big Chop vs. Transitioning
Deciding whether to do the big chop or to transition to natural hair is a personal choice that depends on individual circumstances and preferences. Both options have advantages and disadvantages, and it’s important to weigh them carefully before deciding.
The big chop involves cutting off all the chemically treated hair simultaneously, leaving only natural hair. This option allows for a fresh start and eliminates the need to deal with two different hair textures during the transition period. The big chop can be liberating for some people, and it can also be a quicker way to embrace your natural hair fully.
On the other hand, transitioning involves gradually growing out the chemically treated hair and trimming it off over time. This option allows you to retain some length while transitioning to natural hair. It can also be less drastic than the big chop, which can be important for people uncomfortable with very short hair.
Ultimately, whether the big chop is better than transitioning depends on your preference and comfort level. However, it’s important to remember that both options can lead to beautiful, healthy natural hair.
Back To My Natural Color After Years
Conclusion
Transitioning to natural hair after years of coloring can be challenging. Still, it’s achievable with the proper hair care routine. Remember to be patient, consistent, and gentle with your hair. Use protein treatments, moisturize your hair, and use natural hair products. Cut off damaged ends and try protective styles. Take hair growth supplements and take care of your scalp. You can achieve healthy, natural hair you’ll love with time and dedication.
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Julia is a professional hairstylist that worked in different hair salons in the U.K and Australia. Julia has worked with some of the greatest hair care brands and attended many Hairstyling fairs in Europe and North America. Julia is here to share her tips and knowledge with you, to help you get that "dream hair" you want.