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Moving from processed to natural hair can be a bumpy journey. Your natural curls don't always mesh well with the straight, chemically modified hair you've had for years. Styles such as twists and braids work well to blend the two textures, but can cause damage if you do them wrong. Processed hair is a lot more fragile than natural locks and can break easily. Handle it gently to produce beautiful twists and braids with no damage.
Transitioning
Chemically processed hair is fragile, which is why many women end up with fried-looking ends or unmanageable locks. Natural hair can be easier to manage and more durable, especially if you care for it the right way. You can always cut all your processed hair off when transitioning to natural, but the ultra-short result may not be flattering. If you don't like short styles, you can transition between the two textures gradually, cutting off the straightened hair only after your natural growth gets to a length you like.
Blending Textures
Since the new hair at the top of your head will have more curl than the processed hair at the bottom, you'll need a style that can blend the two textures. Two-strand twists and microbraids make this easy because they cover the transition with interesting texture of their own. You can also go with a braid-out or twist-out, putting the hair in braids or twists, then combing it out afterwards for consistent waves; wear your hair in knots; or choose roller sets or kinky twists. Avoid flat-ironing your hair. This technique may blend the curly top part with your processed hair, but it also does a lot of damage over time, creating split ends and a dry look.
Potential Damage
Most of the common texture-blending methods, including twists and braids, put pressure on your hair, especially if you repeat the same style day after day. The line where the natural hair meets the processed hair, called the demarcation line, is especially weak, and this pressure can break hair off at that line. The problem gets worse if you prefer really tight braids, twists or knots, especially if you wear each hairdo for more than two or three weeks.
Prevention/Solution
Just because the demarcation line is fragile doesn't mean you can't wear twisted or braided styles while you transition. Keep your hair well moisturized using a good conditioner, and avoid using shampoo too often. The detergents in most shampoos make your hair feel squeaky clean, but they also dry out your hair, making it a lot more likely to break. Keep your twists or braids relatively loose and use a slightly different style every time you redo your hair, to mix up which part gets stressed.
