I burned off my hair with the hot comb SMH

[WakandanPrincess]

So, last night i decided to press my hair, because its so thick and a flat iron NEVER gets it as straight as i'd like it to. So, as i was parting my hair, I took the comb off of the stove to cool. I let it cool for about a minute and a half, and proceeded to pull it through my hair. All of sudden, I heard this crackling noise and saw pieces of my hair falling out. I took the comb out and saw lots hair on the comb AND in my lap. I looked in the mirror and my hair was so fried that it turned a blond color!! Luckily, it was only a small patch, but what sucks is that its in the front of my hair (I wanted to do a quick length check on my bangs). OMG, i couldn't believe what just happened. But being the happy person that i am, i just laughed at it. No need in being upset over something that I did. Now, if it were to have been someone else, I would've been HEATED

 

[rririla]

I am so sorry, I did that on my first day of school in the 8th grade....I was mortified I had the exact same ''blond'' effect and I smelled like smoke for 2 days!.smh....lusters Pink lotion couldnt even save me from that wretched smell

 

[*CherryPie*]

Next time, You can gauge how hot the comb is by touching it on a towel, or white tissue. If it's too hot, it will scortch the tissue or towel, and leave a brown (burnt) spot.

If you get a brown spot, wait a few minutes til the comb cools off.

If you don't get any burnt spot, you're good to go.

 

[Nasdaq_Diva]

So, last night i decided to press my hair, because its so thick and a flat iron NEVER gets it as straight as i'd like it to. So, as i was parting my hair, I took the comb off of the stove to cool. I let it cool for about a minute and a half, and proceeded to pull it through my hair. All of sudden, I heard this crackling noise and saw pieces of my hair falling out. I took the comb out and saw lots hair on the comb AND in my lap. I looked in the mirror and my hair was so fried that it turned a blond color!! Luckily, it was only a small patch, but what sucks is that its in the front of my hair (I wanted to do a quick length check on my bangs). OMG, i couldn't believe what just happened. But being the happy person that i am, i just laughed at it. No need in being upset over something that I did. Now, if it were to have been someone else, I would've been HEATED

Next time, lay it on a thick towel so the heat can get absorbed by some of the towel first.

When I was transistioning, I'd press the front of my hair by myself. Once, I was in a rush, and I pressed, crackled, and popped the front bang area too. Mine turned a shiney orange/blonde color

I kinda just chalked it up as a loss, and KIM. I know better though!

 

[ilah]

3 Words....


Electric Hot Comb.

My mom had a stove top hot comb when I was little. I would never trust myself with that thing ever. I have an electric hot comb with adjustable heat settings - Might not be a bad idea.

Sorry about your hair mama.

 

[brittanynic16]

This is why I flatiron.

 

[Newtogrow]

It's happened to the best of us!!!

Yeah, I never trust myself with those hot combs even though they give you the BEST press!! The last time I did it, I use my electric stove in the kitchen which was set between med-high. That gave it a consistent temperature instead of using a gas stove.

I was still incredibly nervous!!!!

 

[WakandanPrincess]

Thank you ladies! I actually used to have one in college, but i lost it when I moved out of my dorm back in college. I think I need to purchase another one...

 

[WakandanPrincess]

I did finally find the blond color I want for summer though, he he he

 

[Black Ambrosia]

Next time, You can gauge how hot the comb is by touching it on a towel, or white tissue. If it's too hot, it will scortch the tissue or towel, and leave a brown (burnt) spot.

If you get a brown spot, wait a few minutes til the comb cools off.

If you don't get any burnt spot, you're good to go.

I've heard this for years but never really got it. I understand that if its too hot then it will burn the tissue/towel but this advice never helped me. I get that the tissue/towel should remain white but won't it be white at any time before its sufficiently heated? How do you know if its hot enough to straighten but still cool enough where you aren't burning out your hair? Do you wait for it to get too hot and then cool off?

This is why I never really got into using the stove. I'm never satisfied with the electric hot combs and no flat iron gets close enough to my scalp but the temperature issue is one I haven't been able to resolve.

 

[Platinum]

.......

 

[jwhitley6]

I've heard this for years but never really got it. I understand that if its too hot then it will burn the tissue/towel but this advice never helped me. I get that the tissue/towel should remain white but won't it be white at any time before its sufficiently heated? How do you know if its hot enough to straighten but still cool enough where you aren't burning out your hair? Do you wait for it to get too hot and then cool off?

This is why I never really got into using the stove. I'm never satisfied with the electric hot combs and no flat iron gets close enough to my scalp but the temperature issue is one I haven't been able to resolve.

I sometimes start with the comb hotter than I need it, then lay it on the tissue for a few seconds and get a brown spot, then I let it cool for a few seconds and test again and again until no brown/burnt spot, then run it through my hair. After a while you just kinda know what amount of heat is just right. I can actually test with my hand by tapping the comb quickly but if you touch for too long and your finger prints get burned off .

 

[brucebettye]

I have done this more than once. That is why I do not bother to straighten my hair anymore. I don't even use a flat iron anymore. Maybe one day I will.

 

[Kash]

you guys need to get in the 21st century....get a Heat Teaster!

 

[MontegoBayBaby]

This is why I stay away from the hot comb and only use the flat iron. It is so easy for you to damage your hair using a hot comb especially when you do it yourself. The damaged hair will be more obvious compared to the rest of your hair. It will feel drier and coarser/rougher than the rest of your hair and yes a lighter color. Sucks I know!

 

[vestaluv1]

I did the same thing way way back in the day when I was still at secondary school.
Knowing what I know now, I still use hot combs (on the rare occasion).
When I was attempting to transition I went to a salon for a press... can't believe I ended up telling the 'hairdresser' how to test and use the darn hot comb . She had no clue.

 

[silenttullip]

I feel you on this and that's why I'm leaving my hair to SO and I because if we mess it up I find it hard to be upset but if someone else does it OMG all SILENCE WILL BREAK LOOSE. Sorry this happened you'll bounce back in no time

 

[kmn1980]

So how does heat protectant work with a hot comb that's on a stove? I always envisioned it being flammable but I don't know.

 

[BostonMaria]

So, last night i decided to press my hair, because its so thick and a flat iron NEVER gets it as straight as i'd like it to. So, as i was parting my hair, I took the comb off of the stove to cool. I let it cool for about a minute and a half, and proceeded to pull it through my hair. All of sudden, I heard this crackling noise and saw pieces of my hair falling out. I took the comb out and saw lots hair on the comb AND in my lap. I looked in the mirror and my hair was so fried that it turned a blond color!! Luckily, it was only a small patch, but what sucks is that its in the front of my hair (I wanted to do a quick length check on my bangs). OMG, i couldn't believe what just happened. But being the happy person that i am, i just laughed at it. No need in being upset over something that I did. Now, if it were to have been someone else, I would've been HEATED

No pun intended right? LMAO

 

[Tiye]

Next time, You can gauge how hot the comb is by touching it on a towel, or white tissue. If it's too hot, it will scortch the tissue or towel, and leave a brown (burnt) spot.

If you get a brown spot, wait a few minutes til the comb cools off.

If you don't get any burnt spot, you're good to go.

Yep. This step is very important.

OP: Self pressing on a stove top is too dangerous. Go to Sally's and get a temp controlled electric comb. I think they're on sale this month for dirt cheap. Or invest in a temp controlled oven and one of those gizmos that test the temperature of your comb so this doesn't happen again. I have hair that modern flat irons weren't invented for too and I love my pressing comb but it's important to be careful or you can really hurt yourself.

 

[Stormy]

I burned mine straight once and it would NOT revert. Another time I burned a very small piece that turned crisp and blond too. This was with an ELECTRIC comb, so you have to be careful with either one.

 

[darlingdiva]

I burned my hair off with the stove-top pressing comb in high school and it turned brown.

I really wish that I knew how to press with the stove-top pressing combs b/c they give the best presses. My former stylist used to press my hair w/ the stove-top combs and everyone thought I had a relaxer.

 

[hannan]

No pun intended right? LMAO

You beat me to it!

OP, I'm glad that you could just laugh it off. It happens even to the best of us.

 

[nnmiles]

So sorry...this has happened to me too.

 

[WakandanPrincess]

You beat me to it!

OP, I'm glad that you could just laugh it off. It happens even to the best of us.

Y'all crack me up lol!

 

[winnettag]

This is why I flatiron.

I concur. I will never trust myself with a hot comb.... or anyone else for that matter! I'm done getting my forehead & ears burned!

You took it very well! No need to cry over spilled milk, it'll grow back.

 

[Blkprincess]

Next time, You can gauge how hot the comb is by touching it on a towel, or white tissue. If it's too hot, it will scortch the tissue or towel, and leave a brown (burnt) spot.

If you get a brown spot, wait a few minutes til the comb cools off.

If you don't get any burnt spot, you're good to go.

this is exactly what I was going to say because that is how my mom always did it when she would press my hair...you beat me to it. and she would always test both sides of the iron on the paper.

 

[KnottyGurl]

I would go for the flat iron first. If not, an electric hot comb is better. If you don't want to buy one, have a folded, damp towel around and briefly touch both sides of the comb to the towel. This will bring the temperature down some right before you swipe your hair.

 

[Imani]

I had a chunk of my hair get burned out once trying to use the old school hot comb on my new growth once. I did the paper towel test and everything. And my hair still snapped off. I stick to flat irons now. I am transitioning now and I still will not go near a hot comb of any kind.