My Conversion from Chemically Relaxed Hair to Natural Hair
Many have inquired about my decision to completely stop using hair relaxers, and I must admit that I resisted this change for years. I often admired the voluminous natural hair of others and desired the same, but lacked the courage to make the necessary transition. Having achieved my hair goals, with consistently long hair for over a decade, the prospect of starting over with natural hair was daunting. Additionally, my full hair made me feel beautiful and attractive. However, managing multiple hair textures on a regular basis led me to reconsider.
Despite relaxing my hair for over 20 years, the texture of my hair was not uniform. Some strands were bone straight, others had a hybrid texture (a mixture of straight and natural), and areas closest to the scalp were completely natural. For those unfamiliar, chemically relaxed hair has a notably different texture compared to natural Afro hair. Natural Afro hair is stronger, thicker, more elastic, and less porous than chemically relaxed hair, thus absorbing moisture less quickly. It is also very coiled and tends to shrink when it dries after being exposed to moisture, whether from washing, humidity, or rain. In contrast, chemically relaxed hair remains straight regardless of weather conditions or moisture application, making it more manageable.
The differing moisture absorption rates between strands can make washing and styling more challenging, leading to tangling and brittleness. Nonetheless, I managed this for years. Some may wonder why I did not simply apply a chemical relaxer to the natural parts of my hair. To address your question, I have indeed done that. During the initial session, the relaxer is applied to the entire hair. However, every 6-8 weeks thereafter, it should only be applied to the new growth to prevent overprocessing.
Overprocessing occurs when the chemical relaxer is left on the hair for too long or reapplied to previously treated areas, leading to severe damage to the hair strands. Upon realizing that the overprocessed sections of my hair were conflicting with the hybrid and natural strands, I decided it was time to start anew. Rather than undergoing a “big chop,” which would have been traumatic, I opted to transition to natural hair.
Every month or two, as new natural hair growth appeared, I trimmed the ends to gradually eliminate the chemically relaxed portions. This transition took over three years. Although I missed my long hair and initially regretted my decision, my natural hair eventually grew longer and now reaches my mid-back when stretched. Along with increased length, I have gained much more voluminous and softer hair. Hair wash days are now easier and less time-consuming due to certain techniques I have adopted. While I still experience some knotting, it is minimal compared to before.
Transitioning from chemically relaxed hair to natural hair is a personal decision that comes with its own challenges but is ultimately very rewarding. If you have any questions or would like to share your hair transition journey, please feel free to email me at joy.okwemba@nyweleadvancedhairsolutions.com. Additionally, you can visit our website at nyweleadvancedhairsolutions.com to explore our hair solutions.