How to Grow Out Relaxed Hair Without Cutting

With gentleness and patience you can enjoy long hair while you get back your natural hair.

Relaxed hair is permanently straightened hair that has been treated with chemicals to ease out the curls. While straightening your hair is popular so is returning it to your original hair type. Cutting your hair short is one option, but if you don't want short hair, you can grow out your relaxed hair. All it takes is a patience and determination on your part.

Things You'll Need

• Moisturizing shampoo
• Moisturizing conditioner
• Comb
• Brush
• Moisturizing hair products
• Hair bands

Instructions

1. Accept the fact that you're going to treat your hair differently. Letting it grow out will mean a completely new hair regimen. You'll only be able to use a limited number of hairstyles.

2. Find the demarcation line. This is the point where your natural hair meets your relaxed hair and where your natural hair is curlier. In the growing-out period, you need to pay special attention to this demarcation line. Be very gentle with it. Don't pull or tug it or the rest of your relaxed hair, as this may cause it to break in places. Regularly washing and conditioning your hair with moisturizing shampoo and conditioner will minimize the breakage.

3. Brush and comb your hair carefully. Make sure you don't pull tangles out, but rather comb them out gently. Don't try to comb or brush from the roots of your hair straight to the ends. Instead, start at the ends and comb or brush through an inch and then two inches and then three inches and so on.

4. Be sure to use only moisturizing hair products. Some of these may be heavier than what you're used to, but they're essential to conditioning and moisturizing your hair during this period.

5. Avoid using heat to style your hair. Hairstyles where you braid your hair from the root such as French braids and cornrows are a good choice. Just make sure that you braid gently and that the braids don't feel tight. Tell your hairdresser that you want to minimize breakage and ask her to be very gentle with your hair. Another option is the wet styling method. Wet your hair and gently pull and comb it into a bun or a ponytail that isn't too tight. You can also make hanging braids, which you can then put in a ponytail or leave hanging. These hairstyles will eliminate the noticeable difference in the two types of hair.

Tips & Warnings

• Deep condition your hair twice a month. This will clean and protect your hair, which is delicate in the growing out stage.

• Growing out relaxed hair can take a lot of patience. Many tend to give up half way through. Make friends with people who are undertaking similar journeys and turn to them for moral support.

References

• Treasured Locks: Natural Hair Transition
• Long Healthy Hair advisor: Relaxed Hair to Natural Hair Transition

Resources

• Long Healthy Hair advisor: Relaxed Hair to Natural Hair Transition