Going natural is a scary proposal for most black women, because they are afraid of cutting their hair. Some women feel that natural hair is unattractive, unfeminine, or difficult to manage. These myths should be dispelled.
Natural black hair is sexy. Hair in its natural state may be composed of several different textures. Tightly curled, kinky hair is just as beautiful as loosely curled hair, and it is manageable with proper care. Wouldn't it be great to have a head full of naturally kinky or curly hair rather than having straight hair that never seems to grow?
Remember that although straight hair is also beautiful, most black women who do not have naturally straight hair use strong and dangerous chemical relaxers to chemically process their hair. The chemicals in relaxers are dangerous because when they can eat through metal and flesh over a period of time. Burns or stinging during the application process are common when using relaxers.
How to Go Natural
Cutting the relaxer out of the hair is the best way to go natural. In the black community, this action is called the big chop or BC. The big chop is the best way to go natural because if the new growth is allowed to grow out of the hair, without cutting it, the area where the new growth and the relaxer meets will eventually break. It is possible, however, to gradually cut the relaxer out of the hair.
Why Do the Big Chop
It's a good idea to proceed with a big chop, because sporting a short afro will allow naturals to start fresh and get an accurate idea of new growth and the rate of hair growth. A small afro, called a tweenie weenie afro or TWA, will help new naturals learn how to style their hair through every step of hair growth.
How to Maintain Natural Hair
Always style hair when it is wet to reduce breakage and grow long black hair. Use protective styles, styles that reduce the need for daily styling in the hair, while protecting the hair. Two-strand twists are a good protective style for naturals. Braids that are not too tight can also be a great protective style. Leave the braids or twists in the hair over a few weeks at a time.
Use your fingers for most of your styling. Even wide-tooth combs can cause breakage. Comb and detangle the hair with a wide tooth comb while it is wet, but use your fingers for day to day styling. Use a comb to part the hair.
Condition the hair regularly. Use leave-in conditioners and weekly deep conditioners in the hair, and use moisturizers daily in the hair.
Don't obsess over the hair. Don't fall into the trap of measuring hair growth daily. Place the hair in a protective style, and leave it alone. Soon the hair will be should length or longer.
