But now that's quite the opposite. A few years ago, natural hair became a fad and with it numerous ways it can be worn.

Trudy Greenland of Jus Natural hair studio, located in the Pulse complex on Trafalgar Road, notes that 90 per cent of persons with natural hair braid it. However, you can rope-twist, plait, comb-twist, free-twist or straw-set. It can even be cut in a style. Natural or locked, there are no limits.

Twists and plaits

Rope twists can last for up to six weeks. You can use a bandeau-type wrap at nights, as for some persons, the front frizzes easily. After about two weeks, this can be loosened to create a more voluminous look. Shampoo every two weeks and have it treated or at home every week with dry shampoo to keep scalp clean.

Plaits can last for up to six weeks. Standard treatment is required and this can be washed and set on rollers for a new style.

From processed to natural

If you want to make the transition from processed to natural, cutting off all your hair and starting from scratch is not the only option. The processed hair can be braided in a variety of styles until it grows out.

Rope twists, plaits or invisible braids are all great interim styles while your hair grows out. These can last for up to six weeks at a time. Depending on the texture of the hair, you will get approximately six inches of new growth in a year. When processed ends break off, do not be overly concerned. You want them gone anyway. During this period, castor oil, hair mayonnaise or Motions CPR are perfect for treating hair. For those who might be sceptical of the smell of castor oil, this is minimised with purified castor oil. A mixture of castor oil with aloe can also be used to treat the hair.

Left: Going natural or having locks should not limit your look. Here Trudy Greenland has put her locks in rollers to add some variety. Right: Whatever the occasion your hair can be done appropriately natural. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Natural hair and colouring

Once you go natural, you have to maintain treatment and care as hair will break. Volume 40 with basic white is used to bleach the hair; it takes a while for the colour to set in. Moisturise every day as the hair will appear dry after bleaching. Liquid oil moisturiser is recommended and Jus Natural recommends the Mango and Lime line. Greenland advises that if you want to change the colour, you can add a rinse. But don't go bleaching again as ammonia is very strong and can damage the scalp.

She recommends adding a rinse. The Adore line is recommended as it seeps into black hair very well. Also, when colouring, never start at the front as that is the softest part of the hair and changes very quickly.