Transitioning to Locs
Well, you’ve decided to wear your hair natural. And, you’ve decided to loc your hair. Hmmmm, what do you do now? This begins the transitioning phase.
First of all, you stop putting permanent chemicals in your hair. I know, it sounds obvious, but it can be hard to put down that “box”! Hair relaxers have become addictive for some people.
Many African American women have experienced relaxed hair for most of their lives. Growing up it was almost like some sort of “rites of passage” to becoming a woman by getting your hair relaxed. It sent the message that you were no longer a girl, you’re a woman now. You are old enough to finally have your hair permanent straightened. Wow.
Next, you need to decide which method you want to use to start your locs. The method you choose will influence your transition period. For example, if you want to start your locs off with single twists, you can start with very short hair, therefore you may not need to transition for a long period of time. Starting with braids, however, you will need enough hair length to braid and may require more transition time.
Having decided about how long you will need to grow your hair naturally depending on how you wish to start your locs, you have another decision to make. You can choose to cut the entire perm from your hair at once, or cut your hair in stages while your natural hair grows out. You’ll be fine either way, it’s a personal decision. Let’s take a look at both.
If you cut the perm from your hair at once, with a small amount of new growth, you can:
- Wear a TWA (Teeny, Weeny, Afro)
- Put a styling or freeze gel in your hair and finger style or brush down
- Wear a wig or bond weave
If you wish to cut your hair in stages, you can:
- Braid/Cornrow your hair
- Use styling or freeze gel to slick back and place in a ponytail
- Roll your hair in small curls and wear a curly style
- Press the new growth with a pressing comb to match the permed hair, and style
- Wear a wig or weave
While you are transitioning from permed to natural hair, you must continue to keep up your hair care regimen – wash, condition, and oil your hair.
Wash your hair with a shampoo that is appropriate for your hair type (dry, oily, normal). Condition your hair after washing, and apply oil to your hair, and scalp when needed.
When you are ready, and if you still have some relaxer/perm in your hair, cut the remainder of the chemically treated hair off. Don’t try to hold on to a couple of inches of relaxed hair. Your hair will grow long once you loc it.
First of all, you stop putting permanent chemicals in your hair. I know, it sounds obvious, but it can be hard to put down that “box”! Hair relaxers have become addictive for some people.
Many African American women have experienced relaxed hair for most of their lives. Growing up it was almost like some sort of “rites of passage” to becoming a woman by getting your hair relaxed. It sent the message that you were no longer a girl, you’re a woman now. You are old enough to finally have your hair permanent straightened. Wow.
Next, you need to decide which method you want to use to start your locs. The method you choose will influence your transition period. For example, if you want to start your locs off with single twists, you can start with very short hair, therefore you may not need to transition for a long period of time. Starting with braids, however, you will need enough hair length to braid and may require more transition time.
Having decided about how long you will need to grow your hair naturally depending on how you wish to start your locs, you have another decision to make. You can choose to cut the entire perm from your hair at once, or cut your hair in stages while your natural hair grows out. You’ll be fine either way, it’s a personal decision. Let’s take a look at both.
If you cut the perm from your hair at once, with a small amount of new growth, you can:
- Wear a TWA (Teeny, Weeny, Afro)
- Put a styling or freeze gel in your hair and finger style or brush down
- Wear a wig or bond weave
If you wish to cut your hair in stages, you can:
- Braid/Cornrow your hair
- Use styling or freeze gel to slick back and place in a ponytail
- Roll your hair in small curls and wear a curly style
- Press the new growth with a pressing comb to match the permed hair, and style
- Wear a wig or weave
While you are transitioning from permed to natural hair, you must continue to keep up your hair care regimen – wash, condition, and oil your hair.
Wash your hair with a shampoo that is appropriate for your hair type (dry, oily, normal). Condition your hair after washing, and apply oil to your hair, and scalp when needed.
When you are ready, and if you still have some relaxer/perm in your hair, cut the remainder of the chemically treated hair off. Don’t try to hold on to a couple of inches of relaxed hair. Your hair will grow long once you loc it.