Is Your 4c Hair Better Natural Or Relaxed?

Dear ladies, whether or not to keep your hair natural or relaxed is a matter of personal preference and what you can manage. If you’re looking to relax your natural hair or transition to natural hair, we’ll be analyzing the pros and cons of both hair and we’ll leave you to decide on what suits you better.

Natural Hair

Natural hair is the hair you were born with that hasn’t been chemically altered from its natural state with chemical straighteners like relaxers or texturizers.

Natural hair is usually thick and curly although it comes in other various textures like wavy, coily, and even straight. It is possible to transition to natural hair after getting it relaxed.

Pros

The following are the advantages of natural hair

• It is not prone to breakage because of its elasticity unlike relaxed hair.

• You can dye it without having to worry about your hair breaking.

• It looks more full and has more volume than relaxed hair.

• It has various beautiful textures that can be straightened and reverted back to its original texture when washed.

• It is healthier if well taken care of than relaxed hair because of the absence of constant chemical application.

Cons

• The use of heat is needed to straighten the hair. If this is frequently done, it can lead to hair breakage.

• Natural hair tangles easily and requires a longer time to comb.

• It takes a lot of effort and money to maintain. Natural hair products tend to be more expensive and varieties of products are usually needed.

• Natural hair doesn’t contain enough moisture, it requires regular conditioning. You might also experience shrinkage regularly. 

Relaxed hair

Relaxed hair is hair that has undergone chemical treatment to be straightened. This treatment loosens the bond that keeps the hair curly and straightens it. This treatment straightens the hair permanently.

Pros

The following are the benefits you can enjoy from relaxing your hair

• Relaxed hair, unlike natural hair, is less prone to tangles since the curls are already taken out.

• Combing and styling is easier and less time consuming.

• It is easier to maintain as opposed to natural hair that requires expensive and lots of products to maintain.

• There is no constant need to stretch which means lesser heat application.

• You can try out various hairstyles that might not be possible with natural hair.

Cons

• Constantly applying relaxers on the hair makes it weak overtime and makes it prone to damage.

• Overprocessing your hair could also weaken it and cause it to break.

• Improper application of chemical treatments could damage the scalp.

Judging from the above, it can be seen that both natural and relaxed hair have their advantages and disadvantages. They are both prone to damage and they are also capable of being properly maintained if the right measures are taken. 

For natural hair, always detangle with the right styling tools and moisturize daily for healthy hair. Avoid overprocessing your relaxed hair and chemical treatments should be applied by professionals. A balanced diet should also be taken for your hair’s health, relaxed or not. With this guide, you can now decide which suits you best.