When not to do the "big chop"

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You have waited for months and it feels like years with no relaxer...

You can't get a comb through because of the two different textures of hair on your head=frustration=let's just go ahead and cut it(but wait it's only been 7 months)...

You have flat ironed you hair with no heat protective, at least once a week or more...

When you flat iron, you use a lot of oil/grease hence cooking your hair so it will SHINE(Bad, Bad, Bad, you don't want to go transition for a year only to find some sections of hair won't curl due to heat damage...

In the first photo you will see hair that is not ready for the "big chop." The hair has conditioner in it to help see what hair will curl up vs the straight ends that are relaxed or have heat damage. It has been 7 months since last relaxer, client is ready for "big chop" but hair is not.

In the second photo, client has not had a relaxer in over a year. She wore kinky twist, braids, some press out/flat iron(but done with ceramic flat iron and used heat protective serum). The hair has conditioner in it and you see the roots curl. She is ready for her 'big chop' and so is her hair.

Things to do prior to your "big chop"

Be patient, it does take a full 12 months

Find protective styles that work for you, utilize youtube for ideas during transitioning...

Wear braids(not done to tight as to damage hairline) kinky twists, half-wigs, sew-ins...

Shampoo and condition, every head is different but atleast every two weeks. Weekly/daily you should mist your hair with water. I prefer to mix water with a few drops of olive oil and spray the hair. You can do this at night, don't want to go out with wet hair and get sick.

Trim ends every two months this will help to get those relaxed ends off...

Deep condition monthly, do this even after you do the "big chop"

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