Transitioning From Dreadlocks to Natural Hair

Dreadlocks are a beautiful low maintenance style while on the other hand natural hair requires a little more work. Transitioning from dreadlocks to natural hair opens you up to a brand new world. However, after learning what is needed to keep your hair healthy you can master the art of natural hair care.

While the hair type system is not set in stone, it can be a useful guideline to choosing the most appropriate products for your hair, and styles that will protect it from damage.

• 3C hair can be kinky curly, with a more defined pattern that resembles a “S” shape, experiences dryness, but generally retains more moisture than type 4 hair. Hair may be style easier with the use of Wash n Go’s or styling hair while wet.
  

• Type 4 hair, is divided into three parts
  

• 4a Defined curls, kinky-curly texture, and experiences dryness but may retain moisture than type b or c. The ability to do wash n go styling or manipulating the hair while wet may be easier than b or c as well.
  

• 4b Curl pattern is less defined, experiences extreme dryness, prone to breakage because of tightly coiled hair, and styling hair may be easier when dry. May have a “Z” shaped curl pattern.
  

• 4c Very similar to, 4b hair type however, there may be an even greater lack of curl pattern definition.

Many women often experience different hair types in different sections of their hair.

For the best natural hair journey understanding what styling methods work best for your hair and which products will help it thrive is very important. Being a woman with 4b hair I find that it is best to detangle my hair when wet, braid or twist my hair, then style while it is dry if I decide to take my braids or twists out. Simply washing my hair and going will not work for my hair nor my lifestyle. Wash n Go’s cause my hair way too many tangles, keeping it moisturized is way too much work, and overall it takes too much time out of my day.

Most curly hair is prone to dryness; however some curlies prefer lighter products while others prefer heavier ones. To keep my hair moisturized I prefer heavier products such as butters and crèmes. The top two moisturizers that I have enjoyed are Shea Moisture’s Deep Treatment Mask and Miss Jessie’s Baby Buttercreme. Every so often I do enjoy homemade products, and the ingredients that I have found enable my hair to thrive have been Dessert Lily Aloe Vera Gel, and organic coconut oil.

For an effective transition: Understand your hair type; find the best techniques to style your hair, and research product ingredients or products that will be beneficial for your hair type before purchasing them for your hair.

Before                                                        Now

Watch these cool ladies discuss Transitioning from dreadlocks to natural hair?