While transitioning to natural hair has become the new wave, very few women have an idea of the basics they should know before going natural. You probably don’t want to end up with an “I Wish I Had Known List” when it comes down to going natural. So before you make the jump of faith to transition to afro hair, here are the top 10 things you should know before transitioning to Natural Hair.

1. Tracking your hair growth can keep you motivated

Most people usually get carried away by the excitement of transitioning to natural hair that they fail to track their hair growth. The simple truth is that the transition process can be quite discouraging, especially when it seems you can’t spot any sign that your hair is growing. In those moments, you need all the motivation you can get to keep going and an excellent way to do that is to track your hair growth. There are many ways to do that but our top three are:
Using measuring tape: helps to measure the length of different curls
Taking photos: A snapshot of your hair every 4-6 weeks will help you spot the difference over time.
Creating a hair journal: A combination of the two methods above gives more accurate proof that your hair is growing.

2. Your curls are unique – don’t compare!

Nope! Don’t do it because you will likely feel bad that your curl pattern is either too tight or too loose. Keep in mind that we all have different hair textures and health, so what should matter to you isn’t how your curls look when compared to that of your co-workers, friends or celebrities. Rather than compare your curls with that of just anyone, follow people on YouTube or Instagram that have your exact hair type or something close. There’s really no point watching videos or comparing yourself with someone you can’t relate with at all.

3. You can make your own products

Being a naturalist is quite fun but it can put a strain on your purse due to the pricey nature of afro hair care products. But you don’t have to let that discourage you as you can make your own products. You just need to create time to do your research and you will be able tons of recipes in minutes with the help of YouTube videos and other guides online. This tip will help you create products that are as effective as the ones on the market, helping you save a lot of money while keeping your tresses healthy.

4. Length isn’t the only important thing

Expectedly, one of the top reasons most women want to transition to natural hair is that they want their tresses to grow longer. But length isn’t really the only important thing to look out for while on the journey as it’s not a primary sign of health. Thickness is a better way to know if your hair is growing and healthy. Sometimes, the reason why some people don’t see the dramatic changes in length is that the ends are breaking off at the same rate of growth. So make sure you are going to the salon for monthly trimmings to avoid all split ends.

5. You can still colour natural hair

Contrary to what many people think, you can still colour your natural hair. Most women opt for semi-permanent rinse: this gives you the colour you are looking for without killing your hair strands. A downside to colouring your hair is that it may affect your curl pattern. Besides, coloured hair tends to lose moisture faster, so be sure to stock up on plenty of moisturizers to prevent breakage. If you keep these points in mind, you should have no problem dying your hair.

6. Know your hair has a porosity level

If you have no idea what hair porosity means or the role it plays in your natural hair care regimen, you’re not alone. In simple terms, porosity refers to the way your hair absorbs moisture. There are broadly three categories of porosity: high, medium and low levels. If your hair repels moisture and often feels dry, it means you have low porosity level and a deep conditioning lotion should do the magic for your strands. You can read more about hair porosity here

7. Learn about protective styles

If you’re transitioning, you need to learn protective styles suitable for that purpose. Protective hairstyles aim to limit the stress of environmental factors on natural hair. They also give you the opportunity to change up your look and try something totally new while your hair takes a needed break from heat and styling products. You could learn to do them yourself or get a good hairstylist that understands afro hair.

8. Choose your go-to style

The way you wear your hair is an outward expression of who you are, so you need to feel comfortable with whichever way you choose to style your natural hair. Except you plan to cancel going out several times while transitioning, it’s always best to have a list of emergency styles that you can turn to. You need to know whether you are a wash and go kind of girl, or whether you are the type that lives and breathes twists out and Bantu knots.

9. It’s okay to make mistakes

The journey to natural hair might be an exciting one but there’s a good chance that you will make mistakes as you move on. You may discover that you’ve not been doing something right and the typical signs are usually breakage and dry, brittle strands. Don’t let the mistakes get to you because learning is path of the process. Your path may not be perfect but rest assured that it will be worth every step.

10. Ignore the negative comments

Much like every other decision you make, you’re going to have people telling to quit the transition because they can’t see any sign that your hair is growing. Some may even tell you their stories about how they made the journey only to discover that natural hair didn’t fit them. Always keep in mind that the only person who needs to love your afro hair is you. It might truly not have worked for them, but remember that we’re all different.

Transitioning is like pressing a reset button on your hair, and it’s important you have the best natural hair journey possible so you can enjoy it while it lasts. The above are the critical things you should know before you hop on that trend of embracing afro hair.