4c hair big chop
This blog post is so long overdue, but I finally decided to write it. It’s been almost 3 years since I had my own 4c natural hair big chop in March 2020. And since then I have gone on to try out some cute big chop hairstyles, as well as experienced a lot of new growth.
Like many other black women, I decided to do the big chop of my natural hair, because it was damaged from decades of relaxing and manipulating it.
And now, 3 years later I believe that big chopping my hair was the best thing I could have done. And in this post, I’m sharing with you why a 4c hair big chop might be a great idea!
My 4c hair big chop journey
Truth be told I made the decision to do the big chop very spontaneously. I had had short 4c hair all of my life, but when I moved to Atlanta, Georgia I realized that that wasn’t “normal”. I kept meeting women with beautiful, healthy, long natural 4c hair.
That’s when realized that I was doing something wrong. I decided to transition from relaxed hair to my natural state for the first two years.
However, my hair remained brittle and damaged. I knew that if I ever want to get out of that awkward stage of 4c hair, I had to change the foundation.
So, one morning I woke up and decided it was time to get rid of everything. I went to the barbershop and asked him to chop everything off. Like everything!
I went completely bald!
And now three years later, my hair is healthier than ever, I actually can see a noticeable difference in my natural hair texture and it’s growing beautifully.
How to do a 4c hair big chop?
Most women, myself included, decide to do a 4c hair big chop in order to jump-start their natural hair journey.
However, there are two ways to do it. You can either go with a transitioning process, where you cut off only the relaxed ends of your hair, leaving only your natural, unprocessed curls and oils.
Or you can do what I did and cut off all your hair at once, resulting in completely new growth moving forward. Both methods get rid of chemically treated or heat-damaged hair, it’s simply up to you what you feel comfortable with.
Either way, the 4c hair big chop is the best way to start fresh and begin properly caring for your natural 4c hair.
Does natural hair grow faster after a big chop?
There are some rumors that natural hair may grow faster after a big chop, but that is not really true. The key to natural hair growth is rarely the rate at which your hair grows, but your length retention.
Meaning that your hair may break more than it grows. Especially when it has been chemically treated. When hair is relaxed or heat-damaged, the hair shaft becomes weak and brittle. This can lead to increased breakage, which leads to less hair retention, resulting in slower growth.
Therefore, by cutting off your damaged hair, you experience less breakage and therefore essentially faster growth.
However, it is important to note that you have to maintain a healthy hair care routine and be patient and consistent in your natural hair journey after a big chop to see results.
How long does it take to grow 4c after a big chop?
It is difficult to give a specific time frame for how long it will take for your 4c hair to grow after a big chop. On average, your hair grows about half an inch (1.25 cm) per month or about 6 inches (15 cm) per year.
However, hair growth depends on a variety of reasons, such as genetics, overall health, and natural hair care routine.
How to grow 4C hair fast after a big chop?
If you want to grow your 4c hair fast after your big chop you have to get very serious about your natural hair routine. That means you might need to include significant changes, such as new products and new hairstyles that might be out of your comfort zone.
I know I had to get a much better understanding of natural 4c hair first before I saw the results.
Here is the process that you can take to promote healthy hair growth:
- Maintain a healthy diet: Eating a diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals can help to promote hair growth and overall health.
- Learn about your 4c hair and find out your hair porosity to optimize your hair care routine.
- Keep your scalp clean with regular co-wash and wash days using only sulfate-free shampoo and including a deep conditioner at least bi-weekly.
- Moisturize your hair on a regular basis for healthy hair growth. Use a moisture-rich leave-in conditioner and test out the LOC method if needed.
- Protect your hair ends with a protective style to minimize breakage and damage to the hair. Opt for short hairstyles that do not put excessive stress on the hair. Box braids, twists, or a teeny weeny afro to name a few.
- Avoid excessive heat from styling tools whenever possible. If you desire straight hair, try out alternative stretching methods.
- Use growth-promoting hair products that contain natural ingredients like biotin, keratin, castor oil, etc.
- Wrap your hair with a silk scarf at night to avoid friction.
Even though I can’t guarantee fast hair growth, I know that if you follow these 4c hair care tips, you will experience healthy hair growth. And if you need more help, it is always a good idea to consult a natural hair specialist or hairstylist. She or he can help you on your natural hair journey.
What is the big chop rule?
The “big chop rule” is a guideline that some Naturalistas follow when they transition from chemically-treated hair to natural hair.
The rule says that when transitioning to your natural hair, it is best to cut off all chemically-treated hair as soon as possible, in order to promote healthy hair growth and reduce breakage. This is commonly referred to as “big chop”
As mentioned above, for some the big chop is the best way to start fresh. During that time they begin properly caring for their natural curls, while others prefer to transition gradually. It’s important to consider your own personal preference and understand your own hair type before making a decision.
Either way, after the big chop, you will experience a period of transition, because you are learning how to style and care for your short kinky hair. So it’s normal that it takes time to find the right products and techniques that work for you.
In conclusion, the 4c hair big chop can be a great way to start your natural hair journey. I know it was for me.