STAY ENCOURAGED :-)

After becoming more and more informed throughout my natural hair journey I have come to understand that there is a great deal of information pertaining to transitioning from relaxed to natural hair. With the help of many YouTube videos and natural hair websites as well as forums I am learning more about how to care for my hair in its transitioning state. These various forms of resources have brought about that encouragement, especially to those who feel as if the transitioning process is tiresome and demanding. To those who do feel this way, continue to stay encouraged and uplift yourself. Whenever you feel the desire to put that relaxer back into your hair just look at fellow YouTuber's to see what they are doing so that hopefully that same satisfaction that they felt when they made the decision to go natural can soon become your reality. Based on my personal experience I  know that at times it can be a bit flustering dealing with two different textures but watching fellow YouTuber's has allowed me to eagerly desire to know what my natural curl pattern is.  So no matter what just STAY ENCOURAGED, it is possible to reach your goal and we are all here to help one another :-).

By Annie Mueller, eHow Contributor

How Does Salt Water Affect Skin?

Posted by Joy

1. Fights Skin Infections

   
   
   • Remember that trick your mom told you about for sore throats? Gargling with warm salty
     water; it's gross, but it helps, somehow, right? It helps in the same way that salt water helps
     fight infection on your skin. When you have a bacterial or viral infection in your throat and
     you gargle with saltwater, the water drains into your body, but some of the salt stays on the
     surface of your throat. There it attaches to the infectious cells and draws out the moisture
     inside the cells, effectively dehydrating them until they are dried up and dead. The same 
     thing happens when you put salt water on your skin. As the water evaporates, leaving the
     salt behind, it attaches to the surface of infectious cells, draws the moisture out, and kills the
     cells.

   Detoxifies and Stimulates the Skin

   
   
   • Salts help to draw out toxins, microscopic dirt, and pollutants that get into our skin's pores
     over time. As it cleanses the skin, it also stimulates skin cells in normal metabolic detoxifying
     and cleansing processes. The salt in salt water exfoliates the outer surface of the skin,
     removing dead skin cells and revealing the fresh new cells underneath, which leaves the
     skin glowing. Salt water leaves you with skin that is softer.

   Reduces Skin Irritation

   
   
   • Salt is full of minerals that the body needs in all its normal regulatory processes. Magnesium,
     for example, helps in the metabolism of skin cells and helps the skin to fight allergies. As
     salts open the pores and draw out toxins, they relieve the irritation and itching caused by
     skin rashes and insect bites, small cuts and scrapes, and scaly, dry skin. You will probably
     notice that your skin's outer surface feels dry but clean after a dip in the salt. That is
     because salt does draw out the moisture, but it also draws out the nasty stuff. It does not
     disturb the skin's natural barrier, however, and it does help restore overall mineral balance,
     which helps the skin to maintain proper moisture.

Transitioning Tips - by Del Sandeen

Posted by Joy

When you want to return to your natural hair, you have two choices on how to get there: cut all of the processed hair off (also known as doing the "big chop") or transition, cutting off the straightened hair bit by bit while your new growth comes in. While cutting off all of the relaxed hair may be easier – it will certainly get you used to dealing with your natural hair in a hurry – not every woman wants to go that route. You may not like how you look with short hair, you may worry about other people's reactions or you may simply prefer longer hair.

To make it through the transition phase with a minimum of frustration, try these tips:

Choose the Right Styles

One of the biggest issues for you may be what hairstyles you can turn to during this period. There are going to be 'dos that are simpler for transitioning hair, while others will be hard to maintain and will probably lead to frustration. The easiest styles will either highlight your new, curly texture or protect your hair in some fashion instead of hairdos that force you to deal with two very different textures.

Have Realistic Expectations

Don't expect natural hair to behave like straightened hair. You'll have to learn different ways of dealing with your hair to get satisfactory results. Otherwise, you can experience a lot of frustration when your natural curls seem to be "unruly." They're not unruly; they're simply doing what they naturally do. Once you accept that your hair is frizzy, puffy or "big," you'll be better able to work with it instead of against it.

Treat Your Hair with Care

Exercise care where the relaxed and natural hair meet. The place where your new growth meets the relaxed hair is especially fragile. If you experience any breakage, chances are high that this will be where it takes place. This is why too much heat styling and manipulation should be avoided. Instead of constantly flat ironing your new growth to match the straight texture, try wet sets and curly styles that make the relaxed hair match your new curls instead.

Be Patient

There may be times when it seems that your hair is simply not growing. It can be frustrating to try and deal with two different textures. You may contemplate returning to relaxed hair because that's what you're familiar with and it seems so much easier. However, if you're really committed to your natural texture, some patience will be required. Your hair is probably growing an average of ½ inch per month, just like everyone else's. Your curly new growth may shrink up, making it appear as if your hair isn't gaining any length.

Just remember that your hair is growing and it's growing in healthy and strong. Put your hair in protective styles where you're not obsessing about hair length every minute of the day. Before you know it, you'll have a head full of natural curls that won't rely on chemicals or heat styling to get you ready for the day.