How to Grow Out Natural Hair From Relaxers

Women decide to grow out their natural hair from relaxers for a variety of reasons. Things like hair breakage and cost can cause a woman to decide to grow out a relaxer. However, many stylists advise simply cutting off the relaxed hair and starting from scratch. Cutting your hair is an option, but with a little patience so is growing it out.

Things You'll Need

• Thick hair conditioner
• Natural hairstylist

Instructions

1. Determine how long you want your hair to grow out before you cut off the relaxed hair. You will eventually want to cut off the relaxed hair but you must determine how much length you want and estimate about how long it might take to get to that length. Be realistic. You know how fast your hair grows so don't over or underestimate it.

2. Decide whether you want to use braids or weaves during the growing out process. These hairstyles take a lot of stress off of your hair and allow it to grow without being over manipulated.

3. Find a hair stylist that will work with you on growing your hair out. Look for salons or stylists that specialize in natural hair care. They will most likely have experience walking someone through the growing out process.

4. Deep condition your hair regularly while it is growing out. You will be working with hair that is two different textures and there will be some breakage, but conditioning will help cut down on the breakage. If you're going to a stylist, she will help with that. If you're doing the braid or weave route, condition every time you take out your braids or weave style.

5. Be patient. Hair typically grows about 1/2-inch a month so it could take several months for you to get any really noticeable growth.

Tips & Warnings

• Your natural hair texture will be curlier than your relaxed hair so it will look shorter than it really is so you will have more length than it appears.

• Make sure the stylist is going to work within your needs and not try to talk you into doing something you may not want to do, like make the big chop too soon or get a texturizer.

Resources

• NaturallyCurly.com
• Nappturality.com