RETURNING BACK NATURAL

Morning of November 2013 I log on to my natural hair group on social media. While strolling through the group, there was this one post that caught my eyes. This female that was always posting videos on go to products, wash and go stated she have did The Big Chop finally. After watching all her positive videos was inspiration to my soul to go for it. "I did the big chop by myself in the bathroom—it was sort of a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing. I was so excited at first, but then I immediately freaked out because I was left with about two inches of hair and no idea how to care for it. It was a huge learning curve for me because all the old hair products that I used definitely didn't work on my natural hair texture. Also, when I cut my hair it didn't have much of a curl pattern because it was so damaged. The big chop route involves cutting off all or almost all of your permed hair. This is like a rewind button on your hair before any perm was involve. Chopping off the hair that's been chemically treated, you can start over with new, natural growth. This is a personal choice for each person to decide. Make sure you have Freshly washed hair that has been allowed to air dry. I don't recommend blow drying, flat ironing or stretching your hair before cutting because you will need to see the line of demarcation clearly. The line of demarcation is where the natural hair and relaxed hair intersect. Rubber Bands are needed so that you can easily mark the line of demarcation. It's important to use good cutting shears (siccors). Please do not cut your hair with dull scissors. Dull scissors or low-quality hair cutting shears may damage your hair. Very helpful if you can see your hair from different angles, so I recommend

using two mirrors. Having one handheld mirror and a wall mounted mirror is optimal to achieve the viewing angles needed to easily big chop. You'll need a wide-tooth comb to make parts as you section off your hair. Butterfly clips or duckbill clips will help keep your hair together as you create sections throughout your hair. Looked for some sharp siccors to start with the big chop process. After completing that task with cutting the perm ends off, Glanced in the mirror I had cut my hair into a low fade. While looking in the mirror admiring my new cut, thinking what did I just do. Was shock that I had the courage to chop my perm ends off. Took pictures of that moment for memories to be remembered. If I never did anything else in life, this will be one stage that I went all the way through with. My husband, Thomas came home and seen my big chop and was very amazed at what I had done. Just by the looked on his face I can tell he was uncomfortable about my hair being cut. He tried to avoid what was done by hugs and kiss as usual. Told my husband I am finally returning my hair back to it's natural state, no more perms and heat usage for me. The big chop was very easy to style, just water and Eco olive oil gel hair curled up quickly at the time. After my hair dried up, went shopping for new earrings and hair product for the natural me. As, I arrived to the beauty supply store to purchase product for my hair there were thousand of products to choose from. Used the natural hair group on social media to help guide me through my big chop process. I just chose one of the hair product that group members are always bragging about being good. Walked around the beauty supply store lost, until I found Cantu leave in conditioner and shampoo combo. While headed toward the counter to check out I picked up some jazzy looking earrings that look great with my low fade cut . The same day I wash my hair with Cantu shampoo and condition after it was dry, rubbed some more Eco olive oil gel back onto my hair. Put on those jazzy earrings and one of my pull up dress went downstairs and sat next to the hubby, smiling at him. Soon the kids will be coming home from school, I started cooking dinner for the night. While I was in the kitchen cooking, my Thomas walked inside and kiss me on the jaw while smiling so I smiled back. After the food was done the kids came running threw front door, stated they were hungry and what's for dinner, mom? I responded food is done and we are having meatloaf and mixed veggies. The kids were staring at me like what did you do to your hair, my oldest son Patrick responded. You got a hair cut like mine mom. I just looked at him and stated a big chop son. Patrick looked confuse, I explained to him while the other two were right there Keyshawnua my only daughter and Trey my middle son that this was just a one time cut and my hair will grow back. My baby boy Charles 3 years old at the time looked at me like where is my mother. After we all ate dinner went out for dessert. I put on my lip gloss while looking in the mirror checking my hair out start loving the way I looked. Pulled out my phone and took a picture of my complete new look of myself, that I was starting to like and deal with. My face was long and fat but I still liked this new me and didn't care who didn't like it. I was beautiful just like my personality, now I have a matching set to explore with. Posted the new me on social media only receive one like but did not let that discourage me. That one like came from my husband Thomas, which encourage me everyday that he is with me whatever I choose to do. I know he didn't like the point of me cutting my hair just knew it from how he looked at me. Family and I arrived back home after going out for dessert. I sat on the back deck with my sunglasses on enjoying the sunlight and my new hair style. While outside took more pictures this time all jazzed up like I was going somewhere except bed later. Before hubby and I laid down for the night, Thomas admitted he was not thrilled about my short hair cut. He even stated I should of warned him before cutting my hair. I replied that something just gave me a push and I went to chopping my hair off. Glad I finally big chop, notice a big spot in my crown area that was missing hair on my pictures taken from earlier. I logged on to hair group and mention that I was missing hair in my crown area. Found out the name was Alopecia Areata, was common in a lot of females. Stands for Sudden hair loss that starts with one or more circular bald patches that may overlap. Alopecia areata occurs when the immune system attacks hair follicles, and may be brought on by severe stress. Now that I was a low hair cut female I could see the area clearly. I was proud of myself still going outside in the public with patch of hair missing but most of all still a beautiful black queen. Looking back at the time that I procrastinated on cutting my perm hair off was because low self esteem. Telling myself that if you can go through a Alopecia stage you can face being natural too. About 6 month later I was ready to perm my hair could not face the naps that appeared on top of my head. I was so mad after perming my hair, felt more confused now on what was just done. Months pass by did not bother getting another perm new growth was coming in thick. That's when I chopped all my perm ends off once again, stated to myself I am going to let my hair grow without being chemical treated. I even learn how to do a couple styles with my real hair and how to braid adding extention to hair. Everything was going fairly well with my hair. My face had slimmed up and was starting to shape up with my fro I had grew out. Found out in the group that exercise was great for growth because your blood start flowing, so I started exercising at the nearest park where the kids play at by the house. Also, joined a 30 day water challenge that was started in the hair group. Means a challenger had to drink nothing but water or tea everyday for 30 days exact. Drinking water also triggers the energy that is transmitted at the scalp that runs to end your hair strands. When the roots are hydrated, this will eliminate problems like dandruff. Internally, staying hydrated is important. It is also a factor that can contribute to a highly sought after need for longer hair. The most important thing we can do for our body is drink water. Do you get enough water on a daily basis for your hair to grow healthily? After I completed the water challenge, jumped back on carbonated drinks more then drinking water daily. This was a big mistake should of stayed drink water on a daily basis. My hair strands were brittle and breaking off, my length was falling into the sink and stuck in the comb. First thought was maybe it is the product I'm using making my hair brittle. Second thought maybe it was my food I'm eating. Log into my hair group for help and found out it could be both listed. Hair need plenty water and healthy foods in order to thrive. Imagine your hair was a plant, if you've been watering your plant and then you run your hands over it, it'll feel smooth where as if you haven't been watering your plant and run you hands over it, chances are you'll crumble and break off parts. The more you run your hands over this dehydrated plant the more will crumble and break off until one day you have no plant left. The same goes for our hair. A healthy diet can help your hair stay strong and shiny. What you eat can also keep you from losing your hair locks. If you're not getting certain nutrients from food, you might see the effects in your hair. Salmon, tuna, mackerel, other fatty fish, flaxseed oil, walnuts, almonds, vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid are also important to your hair. See that's what I didn't know. I was not incorporating any of these in my body at the time. My Alopecia Areata was getting better but was missing something could not put my finger on it. That's when a best friend of mine told me about Apple Cider Vinegar known as ACV. Went back to my hair group and confirm with members about ACV, was told the product work whether you drink it or use in a spray bottle for the scalp. Home remedy, used to treat everything from a sore throat to obesity is used for other things then I originally knew. Now, my crown is going out rather quickly. Good to do your research on any and everything you plan on using in your hair. You do want to patch test just to make sure you are not allergic to the product first. Start doing garlic mask treatment over my whole head and cover with a plastic cap, if no cap then a bag. Will let garlic treatment sit for 45 minutes then was out with mild shampoo, condition and deep condition. Had to put this down as a treatment once a month to do until I get the results I wanted. My hair was thicken up and filling in, alopecia was disappearing months at time. Bald patch in my crown area were getting smaller. My fro was getting length and the crown area was starting to get a little length also. Did not want to have length and a bald spot in my crown. To me that was like leaving someone you suppose to love to die. After the back and forth with the perm, 2 years in my hair growth. I decided to cut all my hair even with crown length. Oive oil

was one of my bestfriend that I used on regular occasion when styling my hair. Since I was a 4c/4b low prosperity natural my hair love this oil. Glad I perform the hair prosperity test to find out my hair type. Now, that I know my type still need to find hair product my hair like and don't like. This was one of those rides that could be dangerous or safe because what works for another 4c/4b low prosperity person may not work for you! Took me 3 years just to find some of the right products and how to treat my hair when washing, styling, detangling it. We are still learning everyday about a lot of things in other then hair, one person can't just tell you that they know everything about hair, skin, life, money etc.

As I'm getting my hair products together for my regimen. Decide to take the time out to look up ingredient listed on each product before purchasing. Remember bad ingredients could be listed under those difficult had to pronounce words. The best thing to do is to look them up to get a better understanding of what it is you have purchased or using already. Best to have a regimen you plan it out in advance to make sure it includes everything you need follow through, and then you repeat. Whether your hair regimen repeats on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis, establishing a regimen that works will be your key to natural hair that always looks and feels its best. You don't want to put to much product on your hair, stretch the days out. To much Product on your hair and scalp is not good would just cause a build up on your scalp and hair strands whether it is styling product, heat protectant, shine serum or hair product. There is a way to clear hair from product by washing your hair and scalp thoroughly. You don't need any clogged follicles just like pimples elsewhere, pimples on the scalp occur when a pore or hair follicle gets clogged with dead skin cells or sebum. Which is the natural oil the skin uses to keep itself moisturized. Bacteria, yeast, or mites can also get into the pores and cause a reaction dead skin cells or oil clogging the follicle, which can result to hair loss. Protective hairstyles and braids are fun, low maintenance, and versatile ways to wear your hair. Whether you're looking to get some box braids, kinky twists, or any other protective style that requires your hair to get braided, here are couple reasons why you should never tie your protective style too tight. The tension can damage your hair, trigger a migraine, temporary or permanent hair loss and infected hair follicles. Protective styles keep the ends of hair tucked away in order to discourage tugging, pulling, and manipulation. They are also meant to encourage hair growth and can save so much time since the entire idea is to touch the hair as little as possible. Protective styles include things like wigs, buns, two-strand twists, and braids with or without extensions. A good rule to follow and stick to is Don't go too tight, too small, or too long on protective styling. Also, make sure your hair is clean, deep-conditioned, and moisturized prior to install, to make sure your hair can actually go the distance without damage. Sleeping on a satin pillowcase. Start sleeping on a satin pillowcase instead of a cotton one because the cotton pillowcase will absorb the natural oils and moisture right out of your hair. Your edges need those oils and moisture when they are thinning, so pamper them with the right nightly treatments. Your edges- those soft, wispy baby hairs that grow along your hairline and frame your face- are the most fragile hairs on your head. It doesn't take much to break them or to pull them out. This means they need extra care when you wash, moisturize, deep condition, and style your natural hair. How to grow back protect and maintain them edges are don't wear hats and scarfs too tight, wear a style that don't put tension on edges, deep condition regularly, moisturize your edges also, be patience, lower stress level, wrap and protect your edge before laying on them. The concept of cutting your hair to help it grow definitely sounds contradictory; however, trimming  your strands can serve as beneficiary for your hair's health as well as your personal length goals in the long run. The benefits of trimming  include fuller, healthier ends, less breakage, and length retention. Join a natural hair group for continuous guidance and support!!