Do I Need a Stylist That Specializes In Natural Hair Before I Transition?

You might already have a great hair stylist that's been taking good care of your relaxed hair for many years. She might be a hair care expert and if you've seen her for a long time, you probably have established a very good relationship which might make you feel a sense of loyalty to her. Still, it's important to find out what her natural hair credentials and experience are or you may come to regret seeing her exclusively.

There are four reasons you may need to find a salon or stylist in your area that specializes in natural hair care:

1. To prevent heat damage that will permanently alter your curl pattern.

If you decide to use heat styling to straighten your new growth at the beginning of the transition process, you run the risk of causing heat damage to your curly hair. Your stylist may be accustomed to using tools and methods that aren't suitable for natural hair. Heat settings that are too high or used too frequently may permanently alter your curls. This may be problematic later down the road if you decide you want to wear your hair curly.

I've seen this happen to many, many natural-haired friends/cousins of mine. They want to achieve certain styles and are frustrated when their is somewhat straight, but somewhat curly. It just doesn't look right and some of them have had to chop off the heat damaged hair and grow it out again. It's a waste of time and mental energy that you just don't need. That's why you should start the transition process with a stylist that knows how to straighten your hair without damaging your curls, possibly without using heat at all. For example, she may use roller setting or another stretching method instead of heat.

2. To learn about the best products for your hair type, hair style, and hair care regimen.

You'll quickly discover that the products you used as a relaxed girl may not work well for your natural hair. If your stylist isn't educated about which products work best during transitioning or natural hair, you may either not like the way your hair looks or leave it dry which makes it susceptible to breaking. So often women complain that their hair just "doesn't look right" or doesn't look cute while transitioning.

They end up forming a negative attitude toward their new growth when the hair isn't the problem at all. They approach natural hair with habits, products, and tools that aren't suited for it. Once they use the right products and tools, their hair looks amazing and they fall in love with it. A natural stylist will help you prevent the experience of an awkward or ugly transition process by advising you on the best products at the start of the journey thus preventing many, many bad hair days.

3. To discover transitioning and protective hair styles and/or receive a cut that suits heat-free styles.

If you're going to big chop, it's best you see a stylist to shape the cut just right for your hair length, type and the styles you'll wear each day. If you're not going to big chop, you'll need to learn hair styles that will help you deal with two hair textures at once. That can be a daunting experience for some women. So much so that many of them opt for braids, twists, wigs or extensions for a while until they grow out enough natural hair to chop off the relaxed ends.

A stylist with transitioning clientele will already have the scoop for you about how to get through the transition process and look good while you do it. You might wonder if a stylist might be willing to teach you about how to style your own hair for fear that she'll work herself out of a job. However, if your stylist seems reluctant to educate you on what to do when you don't see her then find another stylist. It's that simple. Still, I find that most good stylists aren't worried about losing money for teaching you what to do with your hair. If they're smart, they know that both of you stand to win when your hair looks great.

4. To learn how to care for your natural hair.

Washing, detangling, conditioning, deep conditioning and moisturizing natural hair is a whole different ball game than you were used to as a relaxed girl. You'll use a different type of shampoo, if you use shampoo at all (you can cleanse with conditioner and conditioning cleansers to prevent stripping your hair of its natural oils). You'll detangle your hair in sections in the shower while conditioning instead of trying to detangle it after towel drying. You'll use tools and styling methods that prevent breakage at the line of demarkation (where your relaxed and natural hair meet) since hair is weak at that point. You'll use water to style and moisturize your hair when the name of the game was avoiding water as a relaxed girl.

I think you get the point. You have to treat natural hair differently and a natural stylist can help you with that. She'll be well-versed in things that other stylists won't but they're critical to the health of your natural hair.