Should You Go Natural?

Written by Alexandria Bland /// Find in Fashion & Beauty

Beauty Articles

It seems as though “going natural” is the latest trend with the emergence of blogs, YouTube channels and many more media outlets focused specifically on maintaining natural hair. For those who have chemically altered the texture of their hair and are unsure about whether or not to wear their hair in its natural state, let’s consider the benefits of the transition.

Not only is natural hair undoubtedly stronger than chemically processed hair, but style options are endless. The financial aspect should also be considered. One can save hundreds of dollars per year by styling their own hair and not having to pay expensive beautician costs. Natural hair has health advantages as well. For example, working out will no longer require the fear of “sweating out” a press and if it begins to rain, you will not be forced to run and hide.

Have I convinced you enough? If so, let’s discuss how you’re going to maintain this new hair of yours. You can decide to do a big chop (commonly referred to as BC) and have a teeny weeny afro (TWA) or you can transition so that you can keep your hair’s length. Choosing the second option will require you to manage two totally different hair textures and it will require extra care to prevent breakage. Listed below are five tips on how you can grow and maintain natural hair:

1. Avoid applying heat. This will enable you to prevent heat damage and keep your hair healthy and growing.

2. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Hydration via water, leave-in conditioners, shea butter and many natural oils are essential in maintaining healthy hair. Weekly deep conditioning treatments are extremely beneficial.

3. Protective styles are a must when transitioning. If you do not choose to immediately cut off ALL of your relaxed hair then you must not only keep it moisturized, but you should avoid manipulation of the hair period. Popular protective styles include twist-outs, braid-outs, bantu knots and cornrows.

4. Pay attention to the products you use by reading labels. Avoid products that dry and/or strip the hair of natural oils. Many choose to avoid sulfates and are sure to steer clear of products contain mineral oil or petrolatum. These two ingredients do nothing but sit on the hair and clog pores. Natural oils are best.

5. Drink tons of water. This will benefit not only your hair, but your skin as well. Drinking water helps flush your body of toxins, chemicals, and impurities that suppress hair growth. Eight to ten glasses of water are suggested for daily consumption.

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