The Heat Free Journey

So I won't start this journey when I had my relaxer, well... because, let's face it that was like 8 years ago! This won't be a journey of natural-ness but of naptural-ness. After 6 or so years of straightening with heat EVERY 2 WEEKS, I had DRASTIC heat damage. So much so that much of my hair refused to curl anymore. It just had this sort of limp wavy frizzed out messy look and I hated it! I also shed like a dog! I had no idea how damaging heat was to my hair. Don't get me wrong, it grew like a weed, still does... but who wants to have long damaged hair? I'd rather have a big fluffy healthy head of nappy hair... So the journey began.


This is me (the person on the right with the frowny face... don't ask what happened that night lol) about 6 years post relaxer. Pressing every 2 weeks. Looks healthy when pressed... not so much when wet. Plus it shed like CRAZY!! I was even naive enough to think that I was "training my hair" not to poof when straightened... YIKES!!

I wanted a new look so I got bangs... Not a good idea at all. I hated them and probably only wore them down like once...literally... and here's the picture...

 This is around December 2009

My bangs grew out like a weed and within 2 or 3 months they were non existent. But since I couldn't really wear it kinky anymore, I decided I wanted a bigger change and cut it. This cut was fierce!! It was a little longer in the front and at the nape of my neck in the back. Although everybody was mad at me for cutting my hair, it was the best decision I have ever made. I unknowingly did a second BC. Most of my damaged ends were gone and my hair started to curl up again...! But I didn't learn my lesson. I still wore it straight...duh!
                                                                       February 2010
                                                   

A few months (2) after my cut I decided that I wanted to grow my hair back... I missed my pony tail! But this time I decided to do it right... No heat! This includes all blow dryers, curling irons, etc. I even gave away all of my hair appliances so that I wouldn't be tempted to heat straighten in any shape or form. I adapted quick and even though I got so many compliments on my barely curly mane... I was soo angry at myself for destroying what I had grown for 8 years!!!
                                                                       April 2010

By June I saw remarkable growth. I switched to a natural hair diet. No mineral oil, petroleum, "cones", Sulfates, etc. My hair only got the best! Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, henna, no combing... It thrived and before I new it I cut off some more inches to reveal fuller, thicker, healthier hair. And this is where I am today. I don't do measurements because I'm not concerned with inches just healthy hair. I still have a long way to go... I have a stubborn section in the front that is struggling to revert but with lots of love by December 2010, I'll do one last major chop and all of my hair will be back to its kinky glory...
                                                             
                                                                             Summer 2010

And might I add, my skin has improved as well... I'll keep you posted on the progress...