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.

The Radical Big Chop

It consists of cutting or shaving straightened hair directly, using the tools of choice: scissors, clippers, etc.

The procedure is performed regardless of the length of the hair, whether it's straightened, burned, damaged, etc. The goal is to get rid of this chemically altered or damaged hair without wasting time or money on irreparable hair. It's about moving on to a new lifestyle, radically changing your style. This action also allows you to rediscover yourself or reveal your true self to others, without artifice or hair to hide behind.

It takes a certain amount of courage and mental strength to dare to do it, especially if you're used to having long hair.

This can be a shock; during the adaptation period, women/young girls may sometimes become depressed or regret their actions and opt for artificial means (scarves, wigs, etc.) while waiting to grow some hair.

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.

Generally, women and girls who feel beautiful with very short hair, whether bald or long, have strong self-esteem. They don't pay attention to other people's stares or opinions. They disregard stereotypes about bald or shaved heads, or the shape of their heads. Whether they conform to other people's standards or not is not their concern. They showcase the versatility of their feminine beauty. Confidence is a great strength. Many women don't dream of having long hair and adore short or very short hair. Others are versatile. Everyone has their own hair goals and feels good the way they want it.

In some ethnic cultures, it is a normal hairstyle, such as among the Maasai.

In other cultures, it is a step towards baptism, mourning the death of a close relative, or marriage.

In any case, this hairstyle has a great deal of meaning. Therefore, it's important to think carefully so as not to become dependent on artificial means to feel good about yourself, even if only for a short time.

The Big Chop after a hair transition

The hair is cut after allowing the natural hair to 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 themselves with their natural, loose hair on a daily basis, to find themselves beautiful with their hair as it is. And these types of people ultimately prefer to wear braids, straightened hair, or wigs, etc.

These people often have beautiful, long and voluminous natural curly hair, given the very long transition.

But they still don't 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 so as not to fall 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.

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