How to help your clients transition from relaxed hair to curly hair

An increasing number of clients continue to embrace their hair’s natural texture, and as their hairstylist they will rely upon you to provide them with advice on how to maintain this shift in texture from relaxed hair to curly. We spoke to Junior Green on how he advises his clients on their natural hair journey... It can take several months to grow out the chemically treated relaxed hair. Any client making the transition from relaxed to naturally textured will need to book in with their stylist for regular trims to remove any frayed ends and to gradually cut away the chemically-treated hair. During the transition period, it can be difficult for clients to style their own hair so that it remains a statement they can be proud of. Certain styles are ideal for working with the mix of relaxed and naturally textured hair. We advise clients to experiment with braids, buns and Bantu knots. Clients will need to take extra care of their hair during the transition period. The point where chemically treated and naturally textured hair meet can be particularly fragile and prone to breakage. We recommend a keratin treatment to help strengthen the protein bonds in the hair, along with deep conditioning treatments once a week to maintain health and moisture levels. Because hair is more fragile during the transition, we also advise clients to avoid heat styling as much as possible. Excessive heat and too much manipulation of the hair can lead to breakage, which can set the transition to natural texture back months. During the consultation with the client making the transition ensure they are aware of the commitment needed. Hair only grows at around half an inch per month, and curly hair can appear shorter so that the client feels it’s not growing at all. Warn them that patience is going to be vital for a successful transition.