Hello, I'm transitioning and I don't know what to do

Tiffany Blews

I just decided 30 minutes ago that I want to transition. I have been thinking about it for a while now and I am tired of the maintenance required for relaxed hair. I need help! I have no idea how to tell what type of hair I have because it has been so long since I have seen it. The pictures in the hair type article didn't help me much (that’s how I found this place).

I never imagined myself as a natural girl, but my hair is thinning at the temple and hairline and I know that it’s time for me to give it up. I am not to keen on cutting all my hair off to start either.

Is there any hope for me?

Brownsugababe

Hi Tiffany Blews,

8 months ago I had the same idea as you because I was afraid I would be bald by 30. I am hoping to stretch my transition out to 18 months. It is definitely hard work, but I have to admit, I enjoy it as I love my natural hair! I'm sure you will too!

I started my own blog to document my transition and must admit, it has helped alot. I also look for advice on other blogs including the "mane and chic" blog, youtube and also this forum.

Ultimately the decision is yours to make, but I suggest growing your natural hair out a little to determine your texture and research what others with similar textures do to keep their hair manageable. You could also BC if you feel confident enough to do so.

Don't forget to moisturise and deep condition! I also suggest Rosemary Essential Oil for the scalp and Coconut and Castor for the hair and scalp. They helped regrow my edges

Good luck, if there is hope for me, there is definitely hope for you!

Ekaette

Mariag made an awesome transitioning thread. It's a great place to begin

http://www.naturallycurly.com/curltalk/showthread.php?t=77188

lit26

Do what's best for you

SuperWoman

HI! My names Vanessa, I'm 14 and I've been transitioning for 1year. You won't be able to determine your hair type until you've got some new growth, I went through months of frustration, trying to find out my curl type when I didn't have any new growth! I now have 5inches of new growth and 5inches of relaxed hair .

You do NOT have to cut off your hair, I have been cutting inches off throughout this transitioning year and after 24 months hopefully I'LL have full APL length, and I'll cut the rest off!


The best place to start is to find staple products.
These will be the basis of your regimen and how you maintain your hair. Do you have a Shampoo,Conditioner,Deep Conditioner and Moisturizer that works good for you?
If so, then use them to your advantage.

I'm currently transitioning out of relaxed hair via braids, I'm far too busy to faff about with styling my hair everyday, but after 24months I'mma show off my natural tresses.

Do you have a regimen? You need to create a weekly routine you'll follow Include shampooing once a week, deep conditioning 2 times, and a co-wash at least once.

If you'd prefer to transition by braids, which I think is the BEST thing for you to do, since you say your hair is thinning, rock cornrow for a while but make sure it's not too tight!.

My hair was damaged, breaking off because of my lack of care and concern. Within a year I've managed to nurse it back to health and I'm going for Gold.

You can too! Just explore, and ask for help when you need it. I can be your transition buddy if you like?.

Vanessa XxX

lit26

Please dont think I want every one to just BC but i didnt determine my hair type untill i bc'd. the curls just started curling up into this pattern that I never seen before untill i bc'd. Alot of other people had the same experience. Has any of you?

gagirl09

My suggestion is to not only find new products to use but those that actually help your hair instead of harming it. You want to try to stay away from products with petroloum, petrolatum, mineral oil, sulfates, and dimethocone as ingredients. Some of these products strip your hair of its moisture or coat your hair preventing you from moisturizing it. I got rid of all these products with those ingredients. I also stay away from products with Propylene glycol because I feel uncomfortable putting this chemical in my hair that's used in anti-freeze to breakdown protein structures. I started co-washing last week and switched to natural products the same time and my hair is already soft with a nice sheen. I will have been a year in November and I was so late in the game with product switches because I did not have any support including from a friend that was natural and only just recently found this site. Before that I switched to washing once a week and getting my hair trimmed and tried to keep heat off of it as much as possible. Some great hairstyles to hide the two textures as transition are rollersets, strawsets, twistouts, bantu knots , and of course braids. Good Luck!!!:toothy5: