The "Big Chop" is an African American expression that can be translated as "Big Cut." It can be one of the steps in returning to natural hair after having chemically straightened hair.

This step involves cutting off the straightened hair whether there is natural hair regrowth or not.

For the Big Chop after a hair transition , the hair is cut after letting the natural hair grow to the desired length.

This transition period can last from a few days to a few years. During this time, the person must manage and care for two types of hair: healthy hair and damaged, diseased, fragile, or even dead hair, depending on the actions taken before the transition. If the person has never known their natural hair since childhood, they must learn how to care for curly or kinky hair.

In terms of appearance, it is difficult for many to leave their hair loose according to certain aesthetic criteria, given that the roots are curly and the ends are straight.

Hair in transition is often straightened.

Hair in transition is also curled with techniques like twist out or braid out, etc., to achieve a uniform appearance.

However, straightened ends are often thinner than natural hair, and straightened hair breaks despite care. Therefore, hair doesn't always look the same. Some people trim the ends over time, while others let their hair break naturally.

In terms of hairstyles, hair in the transition phase is also braided.

hidden or camouflaged during the transition.

Sometimes, when the transition is too long and the person changes hairstyles one after another without taking the time to let their hair grow naturally and learn how to care for it over time, they find themselves lost or overwhelmed when they decide to learn how to do it themselves. Because their hair is voluminous, shrinkage isn't managed, and they don't know their own hair. These people find daily routines and care too difficult due to a lack of experience.

Very often, these types of people haven't learned to see each other on a daily basis. with their natural, free-flowing hair , to feel beautiful with their hair. And These types of people prefer their hair with braids, straightened hair, or wigs, etc... ultimately.

These people often have beautiful, long, and voluminous natural curly hair, given the very long transition period. And there are countries where finding an inexpensive hairdresser is so easy that some people don't take the time to learn.

They don't yet know how to manipulate them, how to maintain them without creating difficulties in their lives.

It's important to dare to take the plunge and do the Big Chop to avoid falling into this kind of trap. Hairpieces are styling options that reflect our moods and desires. They are not a necessity or obligation for Black women to wear in order to be beautiful or feel beautiful, as some would have us believe. It's important to remain independent and free to be ourselves physically.

It takes a certain amount of courage and mental strength to dare to do your Big Chop, especially if you're used to having long hair and don't have much natural hair length.

Cutting one's hair short can be a shock. During the adjustment period, women/girls may sometimes feel depressed or regret their actions and resort to artificial means (scarves, wigs, etc.) while waiting for their hair to grow back. The shock is less severe than a Big Chop Radical.

What's normal is that the Big Chop involves physical change, abandoning an appearance that has often defined us since childhood. The Big Chop marks the end of a chapter in our lives. It makes us leave behind a lifestyle; some people felt good about straightening their hair, it was like applying a hair mask, despite the burns and the known or unknown health risks.

Hair straightening and smoothing were part of their upbringing, and they shared moments with our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, cousins, nieces, friends, etc. We had the feeling that we had done something to be beautiful, passed down from generation to generation. We learned to straighten our hair like we teach a young girl how to care for it.

After the Big Chop, you also have to deal with the shock, the incomprehension and prejudices in your surroundings sometimes, or the encouragement, motivation, and compliments also depending on cultures, education or traditions.

Hopefully this will help you make a choice or better understand some steps involved in returning to natural hair.