The Summer Big Chop

My relaxed ends

It’s finally July.

You’ve perservered through a whole winter with two textures battling it out on your head. You’ve been researching your for what seems like years and are too excited about your transition to the natural side.You’ve got your afro pick ready in hand for the big day…or for us the Big Chop.

Spring/Summer are a wonderful times for the BC. As you may know, I BC’d in the spring of last year and, looking back, think it was a wise choice as opposed to other times of the year.

Here are my reasons.

It’s hot.

So hot…and not in a good way. Especially if you’re in the south where, not only is it hot, it’s bloody humid as well. If you’ve never had short hair, it’s quite a relief to experience it in the summer.I can’t tell you the happiness I felt at not having a lot of hair on my neck and it’s just felt cooler overall.

It was a shock having a TWA, but it was also a treat in 100 degree weather.

It’s not winter.

Let’s face it: it’s no secret that the cold dry air can be rough on anyone’s hair, let alone someone who is newly natural and still trying to learn their texture. Add to that the stress that winter can put on one’s hair, and you have a potentially frustrating situation.

This past winter was my first as a natural and I have to admit that it was as bad as I’d heard. I can’t even imagine the torment that ladies who live in areas where it gets below freezing on a regular basis. The frustration of figuring out that I was a silicone sensitive natural with perpetually dry hair would have been quadrupled if I’d had to battle the unforgiving winter atmosphere as well.

A cold, wet head.

So even though I am 28 years old and have learned that viruses and germs cause illness (not freezing your butt off), I still have serious reservations about going out with a wet head. The typical newly natural lady does a lot of cowashing, sometimes daily, and that equals an often damp TWA.

I know people that step outside with a wet head to get a newspaper for three seconds and  immediately start sniffling. Maybe it’s all in their heads or maybe there’s something to it. Whatever it is, it definitly should be taken into consideration for a winter BC.

Transitioning styling

If you are getting through your transition by flat ironing and live in a humid area, you may find it frustrating when reversion rears its beautiful head  (hey this is a natural hair blog, reversion is your natural texture so I’m not going to knock it ) and makes it harder for your to blend your relaxed hair and new growth. This can be especially annoying if you’re trying to wear a half or 3/4 wig.

Speaking of wigs, it’s pretty hot under there. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to be sweating buckets under a wig in the summer time while trying transition under it.

Anyhoo

I only offer these reasons as food for thought. BCing is a big deal, for some more than others, and should be taken into serious consideration. While I do stand behind the reasons I listed above, I also highly suggest that your mental transition is also complete before you do the BC.