Does one have to do the big chop when going natural? You do not have to do the big chop in order to go natural. You can go about going natural in a slower process called transitioning. Transitioning is when someone with relaxed hair lets their natural texture grow in and slowly cuts off the chemically treated ends. The key to transitioning is mainly just getting regular trims and keeping the hair as healthy as possible. One problem a lot of clients find when transitioning is the hair breaking where the relaxed and natural hair meets. In some cases, depending on texture and severity of chemical processes, these two textures cannot coexist. Trims once a month are vital. The faster the chemically treated hair is gone the better. Relaxed ends are also prone to break because of the extra heat that will be needed to maintain the new growth. Dealing with two textures on one head can be difficult, but don't give up or give in if being natural is your goal. Women that choose to transition have to really give the hair extra TLC to maintain healthy hair. What happens after the big chop? All women react to the big chop differently.

Some feel free and liberated, others feel uneasy and self conscience. Some women even feel all of these emotions at once. All I can say is don't be discouraged. Going natural is a beautiful thing, embrace it! The big chop is extremely drastic and in most cases a huge change which is scary. If you do all the right things to maintain your natural texture and have a little bit of patience before you know it your hair will be longer, thicker, healthier, and more beautiful than you ever imagined it could be. When is the perfect time to go natural? There is no "perfect time" to go natural. Going natural is a journey and not always an easy one. It can be scary to make such a drastic change especially in a society where we are brainwashed to believing that long straight hair is the only way to be looked at as beautiful. Once a woman has made the decision that she wants to embrace her natural texture she should just go for it. There is so much education and support for woman that make this decision. Knowing that you are not going through it alone truly helps you get through the journey.