Transitioning to a natural hair care routine doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, it could be one of the easiest and best decisions you’ve ever made. But it does help to know what to expect and how to address any concerns during the transition phase. Here are four tips for transitioning to a natural hair care routine.
Have Realistic Expectations
The first tip we have is to have realistic expectations of the process. Natural hair care is amazing, but it’s not going to fix your hair overnight. Give yourself time to adjust. If you’ve been using standard hair care products, your hair is used to powerful surfactants that strip away its natural oils. And you may have buildup from ingredients like silicone that are meant to make your hair shine but also stick to your hair shaft.
When you switch to a natural hair care routine, it takes time to get rid of all that buildup. And your hair may still be compensating for lost oil, too. So give your tresses a few months to adjust to your new routine before giving up on natural hair care.
Keep Dry Shampoo On Hand
As we just mentioned, your hair may be used to the strong surfactants used in most commercial shampoos. These powerful chemicals strip everything from your hair, including the natural oils that are meant to protect it. But your hair needs those oils, so you naturally produce more to compensate.
When you transition to a natural hair care routine, it may take a little while for your hair to get the memo that it no longer needs to overproduce oil. In the meantime, dry shampoo is your new best friend. On the days you notice your hair is a little too greasy, just sprinkle on some dry shampoo, comb it through, and you’re ready to go!
Mask Up
On the other hand, you may find that your hair’s pendulum swings a bit too far in the other direction and stops producing enough oil for a while. Don’t worry, you’ll eventually achieve a good balance. But while you wait, your hair needs some extra nourishment.
First, be sure you’re always using conditioner after every wash. It’s essential for sealing your cuticles. But it’s also important to give your hair some additional moisture if it’s really parched. So use a hair mask once or twice a week during the transition phase. We have some great DIY hair mask recipes here.
Keep An Open Mind
Transitioning to a natural hair care routine sometimes necessitates a bit of experimentation. Don’t be tempted to throw in the towel if you don’t see results right away. Remember that your hair is still adjusting to the changes, and you may need to adapt as you go along.
For example, if you start out with oily hair, Citrus Yao is a good choice. But as your hair adjusts to a more natural routine, you may stop overproducing oil and find that Terrace Garden is a better fit. Or you may discover that your hair does best without any fragrance at all, so Native Essence is a better choice.
Additionally, you may need to shampoo more or less often than you did before. Don’t be afraid to try new things and adapt as your hair adjusts. Eventually, you’ll find the perfect natural hair care routine for you.
Need help choosing the best products for your natural hair care routine? Take our hair quiz here!