7 Months Post Relaxer

It has been an adventurous 7 months. I am learning more and more each day. Transitioning is hard. And the urge to Big Chop is definitely there but I know I would regret it. But those relaxed ends are a beast. Each week I go back and forth between wanting to do the Big Chop and wear a TWA and wanting to see how my natural hair would look like with some length. I guess I will eventually decide. But for the moment let me enjoy my 7 month accomplishment!!!!

I'll be 7mths tomorrow!! Yay!!!
I didn't think i would make it to 7 days so 7 months is really big for me. I'm so proud of myself, this change has forced me to accept myself for all that I am and for the way God made me. Yayyy! I'm so happy

Congratulations Dancing!!!! I didn't know what to expect myself, but transitioning has been a great experience for me in acceptance also.

I'm 7 months in...didn't realize it had been that long! Time has flown by. I feel like I'm still in the routine of using hair for relaxed hair. I am NOT ready to BC, so I've just been caring for my hair as I was before. After some reading and research, I've realized this isn't going to work. I'm wondering what I should do (this weekend) to help my hair out. Part of the reason I was so excited about going natural was to have my hair look natural.

My hair is SUPER SUPER SUPER thick and the breakage isn't bad, but I'm over the straight hair thing. Suggestions? Thoughts?

Thanks.

@ MissCrys - have you tried braidouts, twistouts, or rodsets yet?

I have. I think i used too much gel though. Any suggestions on products I should use next time?

I prefer a dry braidout, using my water/conditioner spritz to dampen, and whipped shea to seal before I braid. This gives me the best definition, and also offers enough hold (w/o gel). If you do try it, let me know how it works out!

Hi! I'm new to this thread and I'm also a little bit past 7 months post. It has definitely been difficult and frustrating at times but I try to keep my goals in mind. I plan on being a long term transitioner of about 1.5-2 years (taking it day by day), but i go back and forth between just wanting the relaxed ends gone! I imagine how freeing that would be. But really I just cant even picture myself with less than bob length hair. Vain i know...please dont judge me. I absolutely have fallen in love with this site though. It is truly a goldmine of a resource. One question I do have for everyone else is do you have issues keeping your new growth soft and moisturized? I've done so much research and do every single thing i know to do but it always seems really dry to me. My relaxed ends are fine. Its just the natural part. I dont know whats up with that...

I'm consider myself a transitioning newbie. I've experienced breakage in my nape and temple area . My problem is building and sticking with a regimen. The thought of all the different products to try, routines, and techniques is intimidating. Though I've been transitioning for 7.5 months, my transition has mostly been me just not relaxing my hair. It's been pretty tough to maintain since it's my junior year in HS, but no matter what I refuse to turn back to relaxers.

Also my grandmother's constant reminders of breakage and telling me i might as well make it like a boy's aren't so encouraging. Thoughts or input?

I'll post pics when i get the chance.

@foreverfashionista its good to hear you are in despite the challenges, and there will be many. Its all a learning process. I think simplicity is the best thing when building a regimen. I too struggled with what to do, when to do it, and what products to use. Im at about the same point as you in my transition and found that the less i do and the less complex I make it, the better my results are. I cant be extremely frustrating at times not to mention I also had a problem with PJism. If i heard from a natural a product was good then i wanted to try it. I've learned that everything doensn't create the same results for all people's hair. Try and find someone with a similar texture, thickness, and/or length and mimic what they use. Learn to read ingredient labels and remember what worked well and what didnt. Im starting to do that now. But overall I suggest sticking to one combination of products for a solid month or at least a few weeks so you can see how your hair truly responds. On wash days use one cleansing method, one for deep conditioning/detangling, and one for leave in/styling. On a day to day basis it depends what your style is as far as moisturizing (water/water-based) and sealing (oil). Unless you know somwthing doesn't work immediately after use, keep using and watch what happens. Hope this helps!

Well I could call myself a newbie with transitioning, this is my third time trying but this time I've gone past the 4 months yaaay. Unfortunately my hair is severely damaged at the names from too much chemicals throughout the years that its soo dry and breaking off....I don't even know what my hair type is.....I've gone for a semi BC but I'm not ready to get rid of all the length yet but its soo frustrating! Can someone tell me how often should I wash condition hair (isn't once a week enough or should I co-wash mid week)?

@naturellebeaute thanks for the advice, I'm going to try different products every month and a half and stick with what my hair responds best to.

@tessdoha I deep condition once a week, and cowash if/when I can. It usually depends on my level of dryness. I'd say condition once a week and see if it needs more i.e. cowashing later on. Also, instead of focusing so much on conditioning, maybe it needs moisture from the moisturizing and sealing department. That's where my chronic dryness was from, I just wasn't moisturizing and sealing daily. I learned that no one can tell you when to condition or moisturize, you can get an idea, but it's best to watch your hair and learn for yourself what it responds best to. Best of luck

I am exactly 7 months today.. and i am so happy with my decision to go natural.. im so in love with my curls and coils and dont ever see my self going back to perms or even straightening my hair again i got it blown out a week and a half ago and was so angry because i missed my curls.. the growth is great and im really getting the itch to BC ..but i think ill stay committed and do the long transition

@tessdoha do you use shampoo or are you just co-washing? Either way I would say wash your hair when it feel like it needs it. I try not to go over 1 week between washes and I deep condition every single time! I would also say focus on conditioning and not so much shampooing if that makes sense. Lately I've been dry deep conditioning and it has worked out well for me.

@foreverfashionista i think that is a good plan. good luck with your transition! and remeber we're always hear to help out!

@cmonewms its so refreshing to hear you say that. i feel the exact same way. even though at times transitioning can be tough and seemingly a lot of work, we all know that its just a phase that we have to go thru and the reward will be so much greater than this transitional period. one question, how long are you planning on transitioning?

@naturellebeaute... not sure.. i said at least a year..maybe longer..but i got some cut off and im applying for an internship at this camp so if i get it ill probably big chop this may just about 3 months shy of a year

I'm 7 months in! I've been wearing braid outs and twist outs, and I just got a sew in to give my hair a break. So far, it has been going well with a few days when I get irritated, but overall I am loving seeing my natural hair come in. My husband has been so supportive and that makes this transition way easier.