O.D.'d on Flat Ironing This Week. Is Future Damage Inevitable?

[Hairsnob]

I know it's bad but I flat ironed 3 times this week. EEK! I had to have it nice and buns won't cut it bcuz I'm away all week traveling so hair supplies are scarce. I had the iron on 240 and used protectants. I have to do it one more time. I tried wrapping it but didn't work. Do u think 4x in only this 1 wk will do damage? T.I.A i'm typing on cell phone so pls forgive the type.

 

[Nonie]

Why don't you seal your presses with a serum to prevent reversion?

The only time I found myself flatironing my hair daily (and yes I did get damage) was when I didn't use a serum and was taking a steam shower every morning.

It's really hard to say if there'll be any damage. When you say 240 degrees, is that Celsius or Fahrenheit? The last time I flat-ironed, I used 230 Celsius which is 460 F and I made sure my hair was VERY WELL-COATED with two protectants after conditioner with another protectant. I didn't smell any burning hair when I pressed it and had no damage. My second protectant was a serum and it kept my hair from reverting till wash day.

In the previous case where I pressed/flat ironed daily, I didn't use a protectant and I did smell burning hair--I thought that was the norm. My hair did revert fully but breakage was insane; clearly I'd damaged my hair. I had to trim about 2 inches and then keep it braided for a year with trimming to get back to where I was.

 

[Hairsnob]

Sorry to hear about ur damage. That's a tough lessonlearned losing 2 inches.

But it was 240F. I was surpised temp that lo could work. I mainly wanted to give it some curl/bend. And yes, I used IC Fantasia ht protect and HE LTR. I agree about shower. My hair just looks blah if no heat after wrapping. By the way, i love the LTR bcuz my hair still felt light with it. thanks so much for sharing! I hope the lo temp makes it okay. you think so?

 

[Anacaona]

Have you thought about using Sabino? A lot of the ladies here swear by it and a couple of weeks ago a Dominican stylist used it on me and my flat iron lasted more than two weeks with no reversion (it probably would've lasted more if I hadn't washed it). You could probably just pin curl at night if you want your ends bumped in the meantime.

 

[Victorian]

Honestly? 240F is quite low, and if you've been using heat protectant and everything...I wouldn't expect your hair to suffer that much just from this one week. Upon returning home I would do some extra deep conditioning, but unless your hair already seems to be responding negatively (e.g. feeling dry or requiring more passes or more heat each day in order to lay right) I wouldn't stress over it.

 

[Blessedmocha]

4x a week is way too much (even with protectant) and can damage the hair shaft!!
But you can do a deep conditioning treatment to start the repairing process asap!

 

[Hairsnob]

Have you thought about using Sabino? A lot of the ladies here swear by it and a couple of weeks ago a Dominican stylist used it on me and my flat iron lasted more than two weeks with no reversion (it probably would've lasted more if I hadn't washed it). You could probably just pin curl at night if you want your ends bumped in the meantime.

Thanks, pincurling is a good idea! And it's not that it's really reverting, it was more for making it look better.

Honestly? 240F is quite low, and if you've been using heat protectant and everything...I wouldn't expect your hair to suffer that much just from this one week. Upon returning home I would do some extra deep conditioning, but unless your hair already seems to be responding negatively (e.g. feeling dry or requiring more passes or more heat each day in order to lay right) I wouldn't stress over it.

Thanks, I feel better. And no, hair still feels good thanks to the LTR. I can't wait to get home and DC!

 

[Hairsnob]

4x a week is way too much (even with protectant) and can damage the hair shaft!!
But you can do a deep conditioning treatment to start the repairing process asap!

I can't wait till I get home to do that. It's hard bcuz I had to meet a lot of ppl this wk and take pics so buns weren't good. Thanks!

 

[Aireen]

I never flat iron or curl my hair anymore. My hair gets way too limp and the tips just break off continuously, it's just too risky. Thank goodness for a blow-dryer.

Once I was using my curling iron to get those 'romantic curls' like those Asian girls on YouTube. My hair, especially the ends felt rough and dry... I used protein conditioners and reconstructors religiously for the next few weeks until my hair felt like it was back to it's regular health, then used moisturizing conditioners.

So you can try that, using protein if your hair feels damaged or if you're concerned and once your hair feels like it has enough or that it's stronger start adding that moisture back in.

 

[texasqt]

Have you considered Caruso rollers?

 

[virtuenow]

bantu knots overnight or two braids will give you all the wave and curl you need when u take them down in the morning. The daily heat really is not necessary. I believe we have all been there, we just don't talk about it! You want a bump so you flat iron every day. There are plenty of ppl who do that daily (most just aren't on this board). Just letting u know, there are better ways to achieve a polished curl.