If you already have an inch or two of new growth and do not want to bother with the hassle of caring for two type of hair you may opt to just cut the entire perm off at once. This is usually referred to in natural circles as a Big Chop (BC). It can also refer to the final relaxer trim of the transitioning period.

There are many benefits to doing a Big Chop.

• You will not have to care for two different types of hair types at one time.
• You will be less likely to start relaxing your hair again out of frustration.
• People will have no time to discourage you.
• You can start enjoying your natural hair immediately
• You will get to enjoy your hair at all the various lengths short, medium, and long.
• It will give you a clean definite ending of one stage beginning of another.
• For some people it is a real confidence builder.

Getting it done

Whenever you plan to do the big chop get it done right. You want to do what is best for your hair by cutting off the perm. Don’t defeat the purpose by damaging your hair when you cut it. If you don’t have a good pair of hair trimming scissors, go and get a pair at your local beauty supply or drug store.

Please Do Not cut your hair with any old pair of scissors you have lying around the house. That is a recipe for starting your hair off with damaged ends. Now and when ever you trim your hair you should use hair trimming scissors and those scissors should only be used to trim hair.

If you don’t feel up to doing it, yourself go and get it done at a salon. If you don’t have a natural hair care salon aka a salon that is supportive of natural hair, consider going to a white or multiracial hair salon. Why? They usually will not give you stress about cutting your hair. Try to find one with younger stylists.

When I did my first BC I went from collar bone length relaxed hair to a one inch teeny-weeny-afro (TWA). I went to the Hair Cuttery in the mall. They were used to cutting black men’s hair so doing mine was no problem. The stylist asked me once if I was sure. Then she started from the front and proceeded to work backward. Before I could second guess myself it was done.

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BC
written by pamela, June 14, 2008

Well,I've done it. Tried of working with natural and permed hair and finding a style. i didint know i was going to do it. It is liberating. Now i am trying to figure out what to do with this TWA. how do i bring out the natural texture of it? everything ive use it still lacks sheen. shea butter conditioner, sta soft moisturer, mayonise. my hair is 4a - 4b. it seems to want to coil tightly at the roots but the its still soft. any ideas to make it sheen and make it curl?

thank u

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written by Ashley, June 16, 2008

As far as sheen goes, you could try Mane 'n' Tail shine on. It smells good and gives a good sheen too. For enhancing your curls, you could try kinky curly custard. I know it's a late reply but I hope that helps.

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written by humble_bee, July 19, 2008

a couple of days ago i finally cut the rest of the perm off and now i have a real small afro big its cute....and i was very nervous going out in public with my hair this short before..I have been keeping my hair short but not as short as it is....it seems as my hair is growing so fast or maybe its my imagination...i cant wait to see the outcome...i have a few styles that i would like to try while my hair is growing out...coils are really sticking out to me! now i am starting to get a routine going to train my hair and get it back to healthy...

Big chop July 7, 2008
Last Chemical Treatment May 2008 ;D

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written by Marty81, July 31, 2008

I did the big chop in 2004 it was very scary :o but now that i look back it was the best thing i could have done and i created some really cute hairstyles. :D

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written by vickiet06, August 28, 2008

hey yall, I've been transitioning for a whole year and the results are beautiful. The only problem is I still have these wek permed ends hanging on and it makes my afros and puffs look odd. Would it be okay if I went on ahead and cut them off myself instead of waiting for a salon to do it.

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