For those of you that are natural or going natural, I have some questions for ya. How hard was it? Did your hair break a lot? Can you still get your hair strait pretty good when you flat iron?
for those that remain relaxed, do you find that your hair growth is inhibited b/c of the chemicals used? Or is it easier to manage being relaxed and yet you are still getting your length or maintaining it?
I haven't relaxed since late Jan 08 and I'm considering going natural. But I don't even know what "natural" is!
My mom starting relaxing my hair when I was ten and it's been relaxed ever since -except for my first pregnancy and the first four months of my second.
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How hard was it? Not really, I just ignored it by wearing long cornrows for 9 months. That's how long I transitioned. The hard part was breaking it to my folks, who thought I was crazy.
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Did your hair break a lot? The relaxed ends? Yes, but I kinda didn't mind. I knew that they would break off, but I also knew that there was stronger hair growing as well. I went on and cut it off eventually.
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Can you still get your hair straight pretty good when you flat iron? Well, I get lots of compliments on my straight styles. It now takes me less than an hour to straighten; I'm a 3b/3c type. I'll say this. My both my white roommates couldn't get straighter, sleeker hair. So, whose hair is more manageable? Hmmmm?
I would say going natural is a
mental thing for some, and for others, it's nothing at all. For me, I just was broke for a very long time and didn't want to spend money on salons or asking my sister to relax it for me. So I went natural (due to lack of money...sad story). I learned about it as I went along. Now I'm SL/APL Natural, Unstretched. That's my story. I think I've also saved a lot of money by going natural. I only use Shampoo, Conditioner, Olive Oil and a Leave-in conditioner. I use protein occasionally.
With a relaxer, I used Shampoo, Neutralizing Shampoo, Conditioner, Protein, Pink Lotion Moisturizer, Hair Grease (for the ends), Hair Gel, Spritz and Heat, with some occasional scalp oil. DAILY! That's a lot of products, manipulation and damage. And what's the point of a relaxer if your hair still isn't manageable? I thought relaxers would help us use less products to style our hair, not MORE.
Anywho, Its a personal choice. As you know, it wasn't until the relaxer
(and other chemicals) that many black women started having the severe balding/alopecia issues and breakage, even at the age of 5. Just something to think about. Not saying that natural is better, per se, just saying that if you want to keep a relaxer, you best be on point about hair care. If you get the least bit lazy on haircare, lots of stuff can happen. It's just too stressful for me. If constant hair care is your thing, then keep the relaxer.
Relaxers are beautiful if cared for and maintained. I wish I could wear it relaxed, but I'm so low maintenance, It would all break off. Sometimes, I hate blowing it out and pressing it, but it comes with the territory. Good luck making your choice. Either way, you can still get long hair.
I remember at least hating getting my hair combed as child pre relaxer. I was so tenderheaded! 
