I am cutting all of my hair off!

[brandy]

<a href="http://s411.photobucket.com/albums/pp199/brandyobi/?action=view&current=DSC00026.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp199/brandyobi/DSC00026.jpg" border="0" alt="November 2008"></a>

My last relaxer was in November 2008 (see link above) and I intended to transition till sometime end of 2009. But as I was washing my hair today, it tangled and formed knots, big knots. Its just like a mop! I've tried detangling with lots of conditioner but I am just loosing so much hair that I am thinking of ending my transition now. I've got my scissors out!! I've told my husband what happened and he reluctantly agreed with me cutting. My scalp is so sore with the detangling thing and I am getting a bit pi$$ed off!. I've got about an inch+ of new growth!
Oh well I might as well go natural now and wear a wig at worst.

 

[ycj]

<a href="http://s411.photobucket.com/albums/pp199/brandyobi/?action=view&current=DSC00026.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp199/brandyobi/DSC00026.jpg" border="0" alt="November 2008"></a>

My last relaxer was in November 2008 (see link above) and I intended to transition till sometime end of 2009. But as I was washing my hair today, it tangled and formed knots, big knots. Its just like a mop! I've tried detangling with lots of conditioner but I am just loosing so much hair that I am thinking of ending my transition now. I've got my scissors out!! I've told my husband what happened and he reluctantly agreed with me cutting. My scalp is so sore with the detangling thing and I am getting a bit pi$$ed off!. I've got about an inch+ of new growth!
Oh well I might as well go natural now and wear a wig at worst.

I hear you loud and clear and completely understand this phase of your transition as far as where you are coming from. But just stop and think it out fully before you do the bc. I did mine in Nov., me too stating that I was going to transition for 8-9 months at the longest. But realized myself that as much as I tried to hang in there I could not handle the two textures........relaxed part super stringy and fragile and the new growth knotting up all over the place.

I just want you to be sure before you take that huge leap to the completeness of the nappy side, cause once you cut it off you can't put it back. I have'nt seen my natural hair for years and now I am loving it so much. One thing though I must warn you be prepared to have lots of head bands and other accessories. YOu will still look pretty though if you do bc. But I promise you your hair will come in much healthier. Good luck with your decision girl!!!! I am rooting for you all the way.

 

[MCMLXXII]

Congratulations Brandy! I couldn't deal with a long transition either...just make sure you have the wig ready just in case you're overwhelmed.

I had my first BC in Dec 2004 and immediately got braids. Wore the braids\kinky twists for about a year, then I wore a TWA.

By the time summer is here, you'll have a perfect 'fro!

 

[snugglez41685]

I know how you feel! Around May of last year or so I had my first weave and took it down. Not knowing that the two textures would knot up after I dc'ed. But I hung in there . I lost alot of hair too but I wore wigs with cornrows underneath. My hair is uneven but I'm still on my transition(my hair is almost APL now). Trust me listen to the OP and think about it first. If you do decide to chop good luck hun.

 

[naturalmanenyc]

I have been where you are now. Trust me, it's technique.

Once you start using a ton of conditioner and combing your hair from bottom up, it will be easier to manage. I had to learn this over the course of a few wash days and I did not get it right the first few months. I was losing a ton of hair and got lots of breakage....but now lose very little when I detangle (hair filled with leave-in conditioner).

It's all about having enough slip when putting a comb/brush in your hair.

After you clarify or poo; I suggest a moisturizing conditioner and leave it on with heat for about 30 minutes. Detangle your hair, from the bottom up, with the conditioner in your hair. I detangle in at least 6 sections.

Rinse in sections as well if you are concerned about more tangles. I don't rinse in sections but I am very careful when rinsing to not manipulate my hair such that it tangles up on itself. Apply some leave in conditioner and then seal with an oil or serum if you are blow drying/flat ironing. I used HE LTR leave-in yesterday and EVOO to seal. I did 7 flat twists since I am wearing wigs as a protective style.

I recently did a mini chop to get rid of some relaxed ends and it did make wash day easier. The tangles (relaxed with natural hair) can be very difficult to deal with but if you do not want to chop off all of your hair, you will have to deal with the different textures for probably 6 months to 1 year.

Good luck!

I went from BSL to above APL....but it will grow back.

 

[Zay-neey]

Yea , i just BC on Sunday! I was washing and saw those stringy ends and god frustrated that when i was trying to do a braidout my roots looked puffy. so i just cut it! it was suppose to be mini cut but ended up being a big chop! you feel great afterward tho. no regrets!
Im about to get braids on wednesday. i was 5 months with about 2.5 of growth!

I hope u do whats right, and what your mind tells u to do. If the tangles are bothering u that much cut, if u can withstand it dont cut. Just do whats right for u
Good luck.

 

[santia]

Wow, I remember being at this point not too long ago. If you feel that starting fresh is what is good for you then do it. I did it and when DH came home he was like WTF!?!?!?
And no, I had no regrets after. I walked up the block to the Africans and just kept my hair braided for a whole year.

Anyway, there are alot of positives for you by going this route. Good luck and remember you have plenty of hair cuzzins on this board who have been where you're at

 

[brandy]

I just want to thank all you lovely ladies for your wonderful advice. Your replies actually made it easier for me to make a decision. Guess WHAT?

I'VE DONE IT!! I have BCed Yes! I said, I did the BC! The feeling is tremendoulsly exciting!! I cant explain it. And those horrible knots are all gone! (sucers). Whew! I will be posting photos soon.

 

[Denise11]

Let me be the first to say CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

 

[weaveadiva]

and let me be the 2nd to say...way to go!

 

[hopeful]

I'll be the 3rd to say .

 

[MummysGirl]

Congratulations!

 

[Foxglove]

Wow congrats

 

[DDTexlaxed]

Go Brandy! Go Brandy! I saw your past natural hair pics and I love the threaded twists.

 

[naturalmanenyc]

Congratulations!!!

I just want to thank all you lovely ladies for your wonderful advice. Your replies actually made it easier for me to make a decision. Guess WHAT?

I'VE DONE IT!! I have BCed Yes! I said, I did the BC! The feeling is tremendoulsly exciting!! I cant explain it. And those horrible knots are all gone! (sucers). Whew! I will be posting photos soon.

 

[beadedgirl]

Congrats BRANDY!.

 

[trey21]

I just want to thank all you lovely ladies for your wonderful advice. Your replies actually made it easier for me to make a decision. Guess WHAT?

I'VE DONE IT!! I have BCed Yes! I said, I did the BC! The feeling is tremendoulsly exciting!! I cant explain it. And those horrible knots are all gone! (sucers). Whew! I will be posting photos soon.

Brandy congrats on your BC! I felt the same way this weekend after I washed and DC'd. My hair was a mess. My husband asked if I wanted to just cut it off and I punked out. Maybe I'll build up the courage to do it soon. I can't wait to see your pics!

 

[RavenMaven]

Congratulations!!

 

[santia]

I just want to thank all you lovely ladies for your wonderful advice. Your replies actually made it easier for me to make a decision. Guess WHAT?

I'VE DONE IT!! I have BCed Yes! I said, I did the BC! The feeling is tremendoulsly exciting!! I cant explain it. And those horrible knots are all gone! (sucers). Whew! I will be posting photos soon.

CONGRATS!!!!! Enjoy your journey to a new head of hair

 

[ycj]

CONGRATS!!!!! Enjoy your journey to a new head of hair

May I be the fourth to give you your deserved props for bc!!!!!!!!!

 

[turnergirl]

The golden rule is to Deep Condition on detangled hair. So put the DC in detangle, braid hair in big but tight braids or plaits and then DC with a cap or whatever your method. Never give your hair the chance to act a fool on you.

If your ready to BC none of that matters because you will be cutting. Then again once your hair is beyond 10 or so inches natural, you will want to do the same thing.

 

[Lynnerie]

Congrats! Welcome to the natural side!

 

[natural2008]

congratulations girl. I want to grab some scissors now.

 

[trey21]

The golden rule is to Deep Condition on detangled hair. So put the DC in detangle, braid hair in big but tight braids or plaits and then DC with a cap or whatever your method. Never give your hair the chance to act a fool on you.

If your ready to BC none of that matters because you will be cutting. Then again once your hair is beyond 10 or so inches natural, you will want to do the same thing.

Turnergirl, thanks for that tip. Maybe thats why I felt like I was snatching my hair out this weekend. I am going to try your method.

 

[Whimsy]

YAAAAAAAAAAAYYYY congrats!

 

[Blaque*Angel]

congrats i think i will be doing the same thing soon

 

[brandy]

The golden rule is to Deep Condition on detangled hair. So put the DC in detangle, braid hair in big but tight braids or plaits and then DC with a cap or whatever your method. Never give your hair the chance to act a fool on you.

If your ready to BC none of that matters because you will be cutting. Then again once your hair is beyond 10 or so inches natural, you will want to do the same thing.

I did all that. I combed out my dry hair in small sections, and braided it up into 5 sections. Shampooed and conditioned individual braids/plaits, but it still did not work. Ah well it does not matter now I've DONE the BC. YEA BABY!!

 

[trey21]

I did all that. I combed out my dry hair in small sections, and braided it up into 5 sections. Shampooed and conditioned individual braids/plaits, but it still did not work. Ah well it does not matter now I've DONE the BC. YEA BABY!!

Brandy I'll let you know how it goes for me. I'm about to wash it right now but I'm not going to braid it until I prepoo it and rinse it. I am so envious of your BC! I want to but I think I am going to have to wait until I have a little more hair. I can't wait to see your pics!

 

[~~HoneyComb~~]

Congrats on your BC!!!

 

[Platinum]

Congratulations on your BC!