| Key products help hair-nistas go natural easily |
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| Healthy Hair | |||
| Wednesday, 08 June 2011 00:00 | |||
Taji Shabu, owner of Taji's Natural Hair Styling Salon
Moisture, tools and patience aid in healthy transitionBy Nichole Nichols, My Salon Scoop writerTransitioning from relaxed hair to natural hair can be difficult; however armed with the right products, hair-nistas can not only survive this phase, but also come out with a healthy head of natural tresses.
The first thing hair-nistas should do while transitioning is to focus on keeping the hair well conditioned, says Saleemah Cartwright founder of Hydratherma Naturals.
"Keeping the new growth extremely moisturized with products containing natural oils and butters (ceramide containing oils) will definitely help thwart breakage during the transitioning process," she says.
Though some breakage will occur during this transitioning period, Cartwright says the damage can be minimal if you obtain products high in ceramide oils like sunflower, peanut, macadamia, sesame and olive oils. Use these products to keep hair well conditioned especially where the relaxed hair meets the new growth.
Cartwright recommends the following products from her line: Hydratherma Naturals Protein Balance Leave-In, Daily Moisturizing Growth Lotion, Hair Growth Oil and the Follicle Invigorator. 
Moisture-rich products like Hydrotherma key for women transitioning to natural hair
Taji Shabu, owner of Taji's Natural Hair Styling Salon in Raleigh, N.C., agrees that essential oils are key to maintaining the health of transitioning hair.
"Look for ingredients that you can pronounce and recognize," she urges, adding that searching for the right product may cause you to become "a bit of a product junkie" in the beginning. However that's OK, she says, because you're still trying to discover what works for your hair.
"Products that contain shea butters, aloe, Argan oil, avocado oil or any naturally derived oils and extracts are fine, but you have to test (them) out," she says.
Shabu's solution: Use trial sizes. Products she recommends: Jane Carter Solution and Ohm Body.
Both Cartwright and Shabu say that mineral oil and petroleum-based products should be avoided during the transitioning process because they only coat the hair shafts and prevent them from getting much-needed moisture.
Shabu also warns against using shampoos that contain sulfates.
"Try to avoid shampoos that contain sodium lauryl sulfate or any other sulfates; petroleum, mineral oil, lanolin, alcohol, silicone, or any other ‘cones.' These products are not naturally derived and they simply coat your strands instead of being absorbed. Alcohol (also) is drying to our hair," she says.
Shabu's top four essential products: a sulfate-free shampoo like Dr. Bronners, a detangling conditioner like Herbal Essences Hello Hydration, a leave-in conditioner like Ohm Body Hibiscus, and natural oils like jojoba, avocado, or coconut.
In addition to what goes on the hair, Shabu says the proper tools to manage the hair are also important. She recommends the Double Detangler Comb from Ouidad and the Denman hairbrush. 
Saleema Cartwright, founder of Hydroderma Naturals, shows off her wavy locks
The next best thing to moisture is protein for transitioning hair, Cartwright says adding that a balance between the two is key.
"If the hair is spongy or gummy when it is wet, it may need more protein. If when wet, it snaps right away when the hair is pulled without elasticity additional moisture may be needed," she says.
But regardless of the products chosen, the most valuable tool in your hair-care transitioning arsenal is patience.
"The biggest mistake that women make when transitioning is thinking that their relaxer will magically disappear," Shabu says. "Out of their reluctance to cut their hair, some women end up doing more harm than good" because they hold on to unhealthy hair.
Instead, she says, "It's good to set an end goal of no more than a year and then stick to that!"
Nichole Nichols is a freelance writer who has written previously for MySalonScoop.com as well as Pink Magazine. Check out her blog, Reasons and Roses. She is based in Greensboro, N.C.
Copyright 2011 © My Salon Scoop, LLC
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