How long did it take you to transition from relaxed to natural?

[FrazzledFraggle]

Big decision because I'm almost 7 months post relaxer. Big chopping is not an option for me. DH would not approve. Has anyone transitioned from relaxed to natural and only cut your hair gradually as it grew out so that your hair was never shorter than when you started your transition. Does that make sense?

 

[Channy31]

I accidentally transitioned to natural using weaves. It took me about 1 year and a half to get natural full shoulder length hair from relaxed shoulder length hair.

 

[Danewshe]

I only transitioned for 5 months because I couldn't deal with the 2 different textures.

 

[LilMissRed]

1 1/2-2 years wearing full sew-in's without the sew-in's I probably would've bc'd

 

[JAM2007]

I am currently 8 months post. I would like to make it to a year, but the urge to chop is calling me. lol

 

[LivingDoll]

I transitioned for 15 mos (5/11-8/12) and gradually trimmed my relaxed ends off. For me it was easy because my hair was already short (cut in a short style) when I started my transition. The crown and nape were fully natural way before the front of my hair. I wore wigs and weaves for a while (to help me through the in-between stage), and heat trained after about the first 12 months.

Good luck OP! You can do it!

 

[naturalmanenyc]

I went through the exact same thing. I transitioned for 104 weeks (two years). I never wanted my hair to be too short. I had a pixie cut in college and growing that out was awful. I didn't want to go through that again so I didn't cut my relaxed ends off completely for ages. DH also didn't want me to shave my head. We have a few in-laws that keep their hair shaved so I know he does not like that style.

So many people have asked about it that I put together an ebook and a blog.

 

[Amarilles]

I'm 12 months in, new growth (pic below) almost touches my shoulders. It would shrink if I were to cut it here though so I'm keeping on truckin...

I don't wear weaves/braids or use heat, I just do braidouts (rod the ends) and style that differently throughout my week.

 

[Lylddlebit]

Like MixedGirl I accidentally went natural. I started getting presses instead of perms because I wore braids for months at a time and my hair out only one to two weeks at a time. Two years later I got my hair cut in shoulder length a blunt flip and didn't have any more perm left. Since going natural wasn't my intention I didn't really change my routine(other than stopping the perm and adding pressing everything was the same). My hair was a little past apl before got the cut and it would shrink to my cheekbones when natural. If I had to big chop to hair shorter than my shoulders I would not be natural today. You can transition without hassle. No one (except my hair dressers) knew I was natural until 5 years after I cut off my permed ends and started experimenting with natural hairstyles. My routine completely changed when I became serious about growing out my hair but it was a smooth ride getting from permed hair to virgin hair and I owe it all to braids.

 

[Ann0804]

I transitioned for a year, cutting my hair gradually once a month. When I decided to grow out my relaxer I got my hair cut into a short bob and worked from there. No, it was never shorter than when I started out.

What's the length of your hair?

 

[BostonMaria]

I transitioned for 10 months because I couldn't deal with the knots. There's a long term transitioners thread somewhere in this forum.

Sent from my iPhone using LHCF

 

[Meemee6223]

I transitioned for 19 months and my hair is close to apl. I transitioned in kinky twists most of the time.

Eta: here's the thread BostonMaria is referring to. It was very helpful and informative for me.

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=410134

 

[Lovelee30]

I transitioned for about 8 months when I couldn't take it any more. The difference between the spiral curls and straight hair truly bothered me. I grabbed the scissors and began chopping like Edward Scissors hands. My family was supportive, even when I felt so self-conscious. But remember, true beauty is a belief. You are beautiful, hair can NEVER make it or break it!!

 

[Dayjoy]

I'm 16 months post relaxer. My original plan was to remain at APL and gradually clip my ends until all the relaxed hair was gone, which is what I've been doing, but I SO want to be natural sooner, I may just settle for shorter hair this summer. I think I could do SL straightened again.

 

[FrazzledFraggle]

I transitioned for a year, cutting my hair gradually once a month. When I decided to grow out my relaxer I got my hair cut into a short bob and worked from there. No, it was never shorter than when I started out.

What's the length of your hair?

Ann0804

Currently, it is hovering right above MBL. I may transition back...I just don't know yet. I don't know why it's so difficult to make a decision.

 

[whiteoleander91]

I transitioned for just 5 days short of a 12 months. I was around CBL when I first started transitioning and when I BC'd, I was at CBL stretched. With shrinkage, my hair was hanging (at my nape) at just about the top of my shoulders. It felt pretty short with the shrinkage added in lol. But it really wasn't so bad. No regrets, but if I ever have to transition again, I would go for 18-24 months.

 

[Ann0804]

Ann0804

Currently, it is hovering right above MBL. I may transition back...I just don't know yet. I don't know why it's so difficult to make a decision.

That's a lot of hair. You could just cut 1 inch a month then get more aggressive by cutting 2 inches a month. So you would be cutting old relaxed hair as your hair grows in. This would probably allow you to maintain your hair at a length you feel more comfortable with.

 

[gorgeoushair]

I accidentally transitioned to natural using weaves. It took me about 1 year and a half to get natural full shoulder length hair from relaxed shoulder length hair.

I got my hair cut b/c of a bad quick weave take out. I had tangles, knots and glue in the crown that when finally came out left that area thin along w/ the sides. So decided to get my hair cut-tapered in the back. I left the weave alone for a min and started back and before I knew it 3 months had past so I decided to transition again. The first time I only lasted a year and decided to relax b/c I couldn't and didn't want to deal w/ the two textures. Right now I'm fully natural. I have some relaxed ends but its very very little-like maybe 1/4 in so I'm claiming natural. It didn't take long to transition..time flew. I protective styled w/ weaves(in the beginning), wigs and braids...mostly braids. It took 1 year and a half to 2 years.

 

[bhndbrwneyes]

this is what I'm trying to do but my hair is WL right now, I still have about 2x as much relaxed hair as natural hair. I've been transitioning for 14 months. At this rate, in order to maintain the same length I would have to transition for at least another year but I really don't want to.

 

[Napp]

I have BCed at both 10 and 8 months respectively. Both of those times while I enjoyed my short hair I do not want to revisit having natural hair that short again. I am currently 12 months post and would like to continue transitioning until I get my NG to be APL which is when i was happiest with my natural hair length whether curly or straight. Ive cut my hair from around BSL to SL gradually over the last few months and it has made things much easier to handle although I miss my length a bit right now.

 

[FoxxyLocs]

I transitioned for a year. I had planned to go longer, but I was tired of dealing with two textures and I wanted to see my natural hair.

 

[Lucie]

5 - 10 minutes.

 

[chrisanddonniesmommy]

2 years, 7 months, or 31 months . Yes, I was a long transitioner. I choose to do so because I was a straight punk about the big chop. Besides, it was a blessing because I learned about patience and my hair. I really appreciate my hair now. It's really a personal journey either via big chop or long transition. But, it's well worth it.

 

[koolkittychick]

The first time I transitioned I lasted only 6 months before I BC'd. With all that I have learned here on LHCF, if I decided to go natural again I could easily transition for the 3 years it would take to replace the length of my relaxed hair with natural hair.

 

[chocolate01]

I transitioned for exactly for 11 months before chopping. I just got impatient and wanted to see what my natural hair looked like. I was comfortable with the amount of hair I had after chopping

 

[MissMusic]

19 months, then I got annoyed with the two textures and happily chopped.

 

[Egyptjones]

I transitioned for a long time....like 3 years because I didn't want my hair to ever be shorter than collar bone length. I transitioned with the assistance of braid/twist outs and bunning... but mostly by bunning.

 

[Lynnerie]

I transitioned for 8 months. I was shocked how short it was but it did grow back fast- I cowashed daily.

I'm transitioning again but doing a long term transition. I started wearing braids cause I just don't have time to think about my hair this time around.

 

[LivingInPeace]

When i started transitioning in September 2010 my relaxed hair was about neck length. I started cutting a little bit and sometimes a lot off each month. I think April 2011 was the point where all the relaxed hair was gone and there was no noticeable difference in length.

 

[HoneyA]

15 months, then my relaxed ends looked stringy compared to the thick natural hair and I chopped because I couldn't stand the sight of it.