Are you currently transitioning to natural hair or thinking about doing so? If you want to have a successful journey, then it’s important to start a transitioning hair regimen that you can stay consistent with.
Your regimen doesn’t have to include a bunch of unnecessary steps. It’s best to keep it simple and straight to the point!
In this post, we’re going to discuss the 6 steps you need to start a transitioning hair regimen. Following these steps will put you on the right track to achieving healthy, natural hair in the future.
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Transitioning Hair Regimen Steps
Pre-Poo Treatments
A pre-poo is a treatment that you apply to your hair before shampooing and it can help you detangle and restore moisture. You can use oils, conditioners, or pre-made treatments for this step.
Since you’re dealing with two different textures, transitioning hair is more prone to tangles and knots. Doing a pre-poo will help you gently detangle and protect your hair from the stripping effects of your shampoo.
When I learned about this step, I didn’t understand why it was necessary until I started doing it regularly. Your hair will become more manageable throughout your wash days and it’ll make the process less frustrating!
Here are my favorite pre-poo treatments that I recommend:
Related Post: Sis, You Need to Pre-Poo! Here is Why.
Shampoo Regularly
Have you ever had that squeaky feeling after washing your hair? If so, you must be using sulfates in your shampoo, which isn’t the best option.
Sulfates can strip the natural oils from your hair and scalp and cause your hair to become dry and brittle over time.
You want to find a quality, nourishing shampoo that doesn’t contain sulfates. These can provide a gentle cleanse without drying out your hair.
It’s also important to look for a clarifying shampoo that will help to remove product build-up as needed. It’s great to use a clarifying shampoo once a month to give your hair a fresh start!
Another way to cleanse your hair is by using a co-wash or cleansing conditioner. It’s a good alternative if you don’t want to use shampoo every week, however, it’s not a product that can replace it completely.
Related Post: 6 Amazing Shampoos That Won’t Dry Out Your Curls
Deep Conditioning
Deep conditioning should be a priority when you start a transitioning hair regimen. It will replenish your hair’s moisture and provide more manageability.
One thing you want to keep in mind when it comes to deep conditioning is keeping a good moisture-protein balance.
Your hair needs the perfect balance of moisture and protein to continue to flourish. To keep this balance, you want to alternate between using moisturizing deep conditioners and protein treatments in your regimen.
Most people use protein once a month, however, transitioning hair may need it more often since you’re dealing with two textures.
You want to pay attention to what your hair needs each wash day so you can choose the best products to use!
Related Post: 10 of the Best Deep Conditioners for High Porosity Hair
Styling Transitioning Hair
After deep conditioning, the next step will be styling your hair. A popular method that’s used by many naturals to improve moisture retention is called the LOC method.
LOC stands for:
- Liquid or Leave-in conditioner
- Oil (to seal in the moisture)
- Cream (prevents moisture loss)
This method ensures that you apply products in a specific order that will help you achieve long-lasting moisture. You want to use a moisturizing leave-in conditioner first, follow up with an oil to lock in moisture, and then use a styling cream last.
Following the LOC method is easy and can be done with the products you already have in your collection.
Nighttime Routine
Taking care of your hair at night will determine how amazing it looks the next morning. You want to make sure your hair is moisturized and protected before going to sleep.
With transitioning hair, you may have to re-twist or braid your hair to keep the definition. It’s also beneficial to apply a moisturizer since your hair is more prone to dryness. The longest I’ve been able to wear a style is one week and I usually re-twist every other night depending on how my hair looks.
To protect your hair, it’s best to purchase a Satin Bonnet or Pillowcase. Laying on satin will help you retain moisture, keep your curls intact, and prevent split ends and breakage.
Get Regular Trims
Keeping your hair trimmed is important when transitioning to natural hair.
If you plan on trimming your own hair, I recommend purchasing the correct pair of shears to achieve a precise cut. There are many Youtube tutorials that will show you how to do it properly.
How often you trim your hair depends on its overall health. There’s no schedule to follow, however, if you notice split-ends or your breakage becoming excessive, then it’s best to get a fresh trim.
I love getting a trim every 3 to 4 months because it keeps my two textures manageable and reduces the amount of breakage that I experience on wash day.
Starting your transitioning hair regimen will take time and patience, however, getting into the habit of taking care of your hair will keep you on the path to achieving your goals in the future.
Follow these 6 steps and watch your hair continue to flourish on this journey!
14 Comments
How long did it take you to get your hair to the fourth picture?
Over one year.
Thank you for explaining the LOC method more clearly for natural hair transition.
You’re very welcome!
Thanks for this. I’m deep conditioning as I’m writing. Feeling both excited and lost. Started my transition roughly 2 months ago -though I’ve been product-free since December last year. Just didn’t know then that I would be embarking on this journey. I neglected my hair and is now earnestly working on strengthening and loving my own hair! Still have a lot to learn and often get frustrated. Can I manage my hair myself? Can I make it look good? Questions! Questions! Questions! 🙂
You’re welcome! That’s so exciting and I’m proud of you for taking this new journey. It’s full of excitement and challenges. You’ll learn as you go and I hope my blog posts help you as well. My transitioning journey gave me time to learn more about caring for natural hair and it helped me prepare myself.
Hi my name is Lindiwe and I live in South Africa Soweto, it’s really exciting to know that I can also transition my Hair and learn to really take care of my hair
Hi Lindiwe! Thank you for reading my blog post. Yes, I’m glad transitioning is an option. I took that time to learn as much as I could about natural hair care and it truly benefited me.
Great blog with helpful information.
Thank you so much!
Which would be better for transitioning hair the LOC or the LCO method
You have to test both methods out and see which one would work best.
Hi there, my name is Tumani and I’m from South Africa. I’ve started my transitioning journey last month and I already have a little growth popping out which is exciting.
Thank you so much for your tips, I will be using them going forward. Question, is it safe for my hair (both textures) to be washed on a weekly basis?
Hi Tumani, thank you for reading and I hope that my tips help you on your new journey! It’s okay to wash your hair either weekly or biweekly, it depends on what your scalp/hair needs.