How to transition from chemically straightened hair to your natural curly hair

I get a lot of queries from readers who have straightened their curly hair for too long and have damaged their hair in the process. They just want to get out of this vicious cycle of straightening and damaging. Not to forget, the curly crown-straight length unruly look in between the straightening sessions. If you have finally decided to stop this torture on your hair, the battle is half won already. Please read on to know how to transition from chemically straightened hair to naturally curly hair.

I have never chemically straightened my hair. So my transition was just from unruly curly hair to curly hair that I love and so I don’t have my personal experience to share. But I thought of writing this article on the transition from straightened to curly hair because there are so many of you who want to make this change.

Transitioning, in this context, is the process of growing out your natural curly texture till your hair is long enough to cut off the straight damaged ends.

Transitioning is challenging because you’re dealing with two different hair textures. And both the textures need to be respected or else your hair will break at the meeting point. You can’t turn hair that has been straightened back into its natural curly state. It is a permanent irreversible change. You need to be patient for months, at least, to grow out your hair so that it is long enough to chop off the straight ends.

Should you perm the straightened ends?

Please do not perm the straightened ends, as the hair is already damaged because of the straightening. Perming on top of it might cause hair to burn or break off.

Here are some tips and tricks to help you in your journey to transition from straightened to curly hair.

Avoid more damage:

Ditch all the chemical relaxers and heat tools for good. Your hair finally deserves some TLC. 4 reasons straightening regularly is bad for your hair

Hydrate:

Invest in ultra-rich hydrating conditioners, leave ins and a mild shampoo.

Use a deep moisturizing hair mask for 20-30 minutes at least once a week

Strengthen your hair:

If you feel that your hair is too weak and about to break, use a protein rich hair mask to strengthen it.

Hairstyles during transitioning:

Try hairstyles like buns and up dos so that most part of your straight hair is not visible. Or if you want to hide the curly part (for now), use stoles, scarves or headbands.

Haircuts to help with transition:

Once your hair has grown long enough, start getting mini haircuts on the straightened parts of your hair. The less straight ends you have, the more confident you will be. Chop regularly throughout your transition. Some people also like to grow it out to a length till they are confident to cut off the straight ends in one go. This is called the big chop. Choose whatever you are comfortable with.

Follow the basics:

The basics are still the same. So for your everyday hair care routine start following the curly hair regimen mentioned here.

Below are a few accounts from my readers who have been successful in transitioning from chemically straightened hair to naturally curly hair. Please read these to get motivated and to start on this journey for yourself.

Harini and her transition story – Reader Testimonial – Harini Narayanan

Greeshma and her transition story – Reader Testimonial – Greeshma Anish

Rukmani and her transition story – Reader Testimonial – Rukmani Anantharaman

Sargun and her transition story – Reader Testimonial – Sargun Kaur

Dumpi and her transition story – Reader Testimonial – Dumpi

It’s just a matter of months of patience. I can guarantee the wait will be worth embracing your natural hair texture and putting a full stop to all the damage it has gone through over the time.