Many women go natural with the expectation that the new-growth they feel will be indicative of their natural Black hair texture.  Like my best friend who recently went natural says, "It's been so long, I'm not sure what my natural hair looks like."  Ironically, many find after going natural that no matter how much they allow their hair to grow out, the ending natural Black hair texture is not what they expected.

There are many reasons as to why one's hair seems to change in texture after undergoing the Big Chop (BC).  So let's discuss them all...

Scab Hair
Have you ever had a tooth pulled by dentist?  It's amazing but what we see in our mouths are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to teeth.  Our actual teeth have deep roots which anchor them into our jaw.  The same goes for hair.

What we see sprouting from our skin represents the longest portion of our hair but there's also a portion of hair that exists just below the scalp.  In other words, it's new-growth that has yet to emerge.  When we apply chemical relaxers, this hair that is just below the scalp is believed to be impacted by the chemical procedure.  This hair has come to be known as "scab hair" (hair just below the scalp that is slightly relaxed).

Many believe that when we undergo the BC, when the scab hair emerges from the scalp and becomes new-growth, we're left with a false impression of our actual texture.  We may be led to believe that this softer, straighter hair is a true representation of our hair in its natural state.  Overtime, hair that is just below the scalp that has not been impacted by chemicals will emerge as the new, new-growth and its texture will be vastly different from the previous set of chemically altered or "scab" hair.

So the answer is yes, your hair texture may actually appear to be changing and it's why many women who undergo the BC end up having to cut their hair again after only several weeks of being natural.  The second BC is to remove the scab hair which no longer matches the individual's natural texture.

With that said, I'm not a big proponent of the scab hair theory.  I think that in most cases, what is considered "scab" hair is actually relaxed hair that remains...meaning the stylist cut your hair but cut it below the demarcation line (the actual point where natural hair and relaxed hair meet).  Don't believe me?  There's another reason why scab hair may not be the actual cause of changes in hair texture.

What About the Big Chop and Transitioning?
I don't know what's special about 2008 but so many of my female friends are abandoning the creamy crack.  Some decide to go for the big chop while others transition.  The one who had underwent the BC about 4 months ago is of particular importance.

My friend practically shaved her head.  After this initial cut, she has let her hair grow and has yet to go to a barber again or to clip her ends in any way.  So why didn't she have any scab hair?

Or what about women who keep their natural hair closely cropped (1-2 inches)?  Many women find that when their natural hair is fairly short, they have soft, loose curls.  By keeping it short, their hair remains in a constant state of new-growth.  Keep in mind, some people with Afri-ethnic hair have very soft, wavy or loose curled new-growth.  For them what may appear to be perpetual scab hair (the curl is slightly relaxed), isn't.  How can it be scab hair if the individual has refrained from chemical relaxers for months, if not years?  Also, why is it that for many, when their hair grows longer, it's less wavy than the new-growth?

Hair & Oxygen
Changes in hair texture are most likely the result of oxygen exposure.  Did you know that individuals who get braids or cornrows over an extended period of time will find that their hair is finer/thinner than had they not worn these styles?  If these same individuals refrain from these styles, over time, their hair will appear to thicken.

Hair that is just below the scalp receives its nutrients from our bodies.  Once the hair emerges from the scalp, it's dead, but it can still be impacted by environmental factors.  Sun damage, humidity, styling damage, heat damage, hard water, etc...all can impact our hairs' condition, texture and health...and these factors include oxygen exposure. 

This is why women who keep their natural hair short (1-2 inches) may appear to have one texture but when they allow their hair to grow out to longer lengths, it's another.  Where the level of difference varies from person to person, there will invariably be a difference in most cases. 

Look at these photos of naaniMODEL DreamyPisces for example.  In the above photo, her hair appears far more loosely curled than it does in the photo below.  Where she still has a loose curl pattern, it's the new-growth that will generally be softer and curlier than the rest of one's hair.

So is My Hair Texture Changing?
It depends on what you mean by change.  In a sense, yes.  In another, no.  I tell anyone who has recently undergone the BC to allow their hair to "breathe" for a few months.  If you choose to transition with braids for example, I suggest giving your hair a rest for 2-4 weeks in between braid sets.

Once you have fully committed to wearing your hair naturally and without extensions, be prepared to go from soft, cottony hair to coarse, wool-like hair.  Where not everyone will end with coarse hair, anticipating a change that never occurs is far less dramatic than being surprised by the change altogether.

I *LOVE IT* when women tell me they have "good hair" prior to transitioning.  One, they have yet to understand what "good hair" truly is and if their hair does "turn," they will be forced to confront their own prejudices and bias.  The reality is, whether it's changing or not shouldn't matter.  You didn't go natural for the texture did you?  You went natural because it was the right and healthy thing to do.