“I wore sew-ins with a natural part while I transitioned for a couple of months. I did not know I was damaging my hair every time I used a flat iron to blend my natural hair with the extensions. When I cut my permed ends I was extremely disappointed to see that I had a ‘T’ shape patch of wavy hair in front of my head and tight curls in the back. Through the disappointment I learned to deal with the two different hair textures for a year. Now I would like to experience my hair naturally curly but I don’t want to do the big chop. I have tried so hard to find another option for transitioning from heat damage to natural but ended up with nothing. I don’t feel comfortable doing the big chop because the heat damage seems to go all the way to my root. I think I would have to go extremely low cut. Do you think it would be a good idea to perm my hair again and start over doing the transitioning from perm to natural hair process? Please Help!!” – Monet
I empathize with your hair situation. I can only imagine your devastation to learn that the heat used to blend your hair to the texture of the weave has resulted in some permanent damage. Whether we use excessive heat or chemical straighteners, the end result is always the same – the processes break the bonds of the hair and denature or weaken it. The two processes just accomplis this damage in a different way. To help you get back on a path to healthy hair, I am happy to offer you some options that don’t involve a big chop or another relaxer.
Option 1: Twist or braid or bantu knot set the patch of hair or your whole head to blend the straight pieces as best you can until it grows out enough to cut to a length you are comfortable with all over. Or you can just live with the damage if it blends well enough.
Option 2: Install a curly or kinky textured weave or braids or twists until the hair grows out to a length you are comfortable with all over to and then trim off the damaged hair. Hair grows about 6″ a year and many of us keep about 4″ to 5″ of this new hair after trims and cuts, so keep this in mind as you plan out the growing out process.
I want you to really search yourself for your reasons for deciding to wear your hair natural and if they are strong enough, hold tight to them while enduring this styling conundrum. I understand your concern about possibly relaxing your hair again, but please be sure to fully think through your decision.
I can’t tell you what to do, but I want to encourage you to explore why you when natural in the first place despite this situation.
If you do decide to continue using heat in the future after you have restored your hair, make sure you are always using the flatiron at a temperature lower than 400 degrees (325-375 is high enough to straighten even the kinkiest hair textures when done in small sections) and for maximum protection, use a heat protectant spray on your hair during both the blow drying and flat ironing process. Though they cannot totally stop heat damage if heat is misused, the use of a heat protectant spray is great in helping to prevent damage when you use heat safely and moderately on your curls.
Best of healthy hair success to you!
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Hello!
This is a random question,but please reply!
I’m a 17 year old new natural. First of all, I wanted to say that your website and youtube channel are really inspiring! But, I also need your advice.
My hair gets SOOO dry! I’ll spritz it with water and put some coconut oil in the morning and when I get back home at around 2:30 my hair literally feels like cotton. Ad then I spritz it again at night and in the morning-dry, dry, dry. I would love to try out all the products on this website but I don’t have that kind of income yet! How can I try products and get ones that are right for me?Please help!
Also, I have another big problem: I am grossly overweight, and I would even go so far as to say obese. I weigh 240 pounds (I’m 5’8″ and a half) and I don’t really know what to do! I want to be slim and healthy, and be able to wear nice clothes without them just looking wrong. I really don’t care about they boy aspect, because I wouldn’t want a boyfriend who only likes me because of the way I look, anyway. I just want to do this for me.
I really hope you reply, and thank you again!
You are me 11 years ago. I was 17, just going natural (before it was in style) and overweight (still am, but much less so). But I can tell you a couple things:
1. As far as your hair goes, it takes a while for your hair to get used to using natural oils (mine took about 8 months or so). I found olive oil worked best for me, but I’ve also heard good things about coconut oil.
2. As far a being overweight, it is much harder to find clothes that look good. But you can start eating better (cutting down processed food, drinking more water) and exercising (walking more, check youtube for free workout videos) which will help you to get healthy and lose some weight. Also check out this great blog called the Black Girl’s Guide to Weight Loss, she has lots of great tips on how to get healthy on a budget. Until you lose the weight you want, invest in some good shapewear (like spankx) TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, etc usually have them for about half price.
3. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders so you can do what you set your mind to, just make the changes one day at a time. Good luck :)
Thank you!
Yes….I did it myself…but I still have the damaged hair…I think I have about another 2 inches to cut off but I dont want to cut my hair myself. My struggle is that I want to find a natural hair dresser to cut it for me….but all the salons seem to concentrate on permed hair, locs…..
So if anyone knows any one I can get a pixi tapered cut…I promise I will not press my hair EVER again!!! And yes, I am willing to fly to another state if need be…I’m serious…lol Thanks
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