My relaxed hair flourished with the conditioners that I had been using, so I figured that my natural hair would benefit and it did.

If I were you, I would continue using the same products unless you experience breakage or excessive shedding. As for your hair being the same, well that takes some time. It sometimes takes years to get your hair back to its normal state, especially if you are using straightening tools, such as a blower or flat iron.

I recommend that you continue condition your hair very, very well and give your hair time to grow out. I highly recommend Aphoghee Two Step as you transition. The relaxed hair, which is weaker than your natural hair, has a tendency of breaking off. Aphoghee may prevent loss and shedding.

Also, be sure that you are GENTLE!! I cannot stress the importance of being gentle with your hair while you grow out your hair.

Hope this helps,

LaNegra

I have been relaxing my hair for the past 6 years and have used many different brands such as Just For Me, Revlon, Affirm, Motions, etc. I have now found a relaxer (Vitale) which I absolutely love because it keeps my hair shiny, tamed and not dry/overly processed. However, before I started putting relaxers in my hair it was very thick, full, kinky and wavy. When wet, I had no problems putting gel in it to keep it looking like I came right out of Dominican glamour magazine! At the time, however I didn’t appreciate my hair’s unique texture and wanted to be like everybody else. I regret ever starting the relaxing process although it has increased manageability. I have found that relaxing my hair costs more to maintain than when it was natural, because I go every week for a wash, set and blow. Not to mention the $65 price tag every 3-4 months on a perm. I find that when I try to do my relaxed hair at home, it feels brittle and resistant to my efforts. I miss my hair’s natural state and need some advice on the best ways to get it back. I have tried about 3 years ago to go natural and cut my hair up to my ears (my hair is naturally down my back). It looked AWFUL! My hair broke around the edges, felt rough to the touch and putting gel in it made it look even worse. I was stuck and after about 6-8 months I started relaxing again. Now I know NOT to chop off all of my hair this time around. Do you have any advice, especially on the types of products and professional services, to use when I decide to go natural again? Will my hair even be the same?

I really do not think that there is anything you can do, other than to wait it out. That means, that you have to wait for more new growth and chip away at what’s left of your relaxed hair.

It’s possible that your hair was over processed in that one area, or it could just be that you have a patch of hair with a completely different texture, which reacted to the relaxer differently.

Either way, unless you want to cut off your length, you may have to just be patient.
In the meantime, be sure to moisturize your hair and to be gentle with the section that still has relaxer in it.
Sorry that I cannot be more helpful.

No one will treat your hair better than YOU

Trimming and deep conditioning will keep you from pulling your hair out, no pun intended. I have a lot of hair, so relaxing, even if a few times a year makes it easier for me to comb, but I always respect those who decide to go natural.

It’s never an easy transition. It’s like trying to grow out that bad haircut. You know it’s messed up, but sit on the fence of cutting (again) or just being patient.

If you’ve gone 6 months, chances are you’re near the home stretch. I may be following your lead, but I’ll continue to do my roller sets and blow outs!

Please, visit again and give us an update.

I stoped relaxing my hair about 6 months ago. I’ve always had problems with my sensitive scalp and ANY relaxer that I would use. Things got so bad that I had my hair in a sew-in weave for over 10 year!

Going natural does have its challenges. Shedding is a big issue for me. The two (or 3) textures don’t get along. I need to be deligent about trimming my ends every 4 weeks to prevent breakage. It’s also very important to deep condition every week.

I don’t believe that I will ever go back to relaxing my hair. I’m very content with braid outs and twist outs. And if I want to have straight hair once in a while I’ll visit a Dominican salon.

Best of luck to you!

Regardless to whether or not, one decides to relax, go natural, color their hair, or whatever the process, your hair should always be treated well. Once a person decides to go with a permanent process, growing it out is then a huge decision.

Rather than cutting off 4 inches at once, you may want to opt to do deep conditioners while chipping away at the split ends. I’m a fan of just cutting off ends, but my last stylist is one who talked me out of cutting everything off. She showed me how to maintain the hair while gaining enough length to then cut off.

Thank you for the prayers, friend! I am going to take pics on Tuesday, then an after pic when I’m feeling better.