naturals who flat iron

[asakeba]

does your hair break during the flat ironing process?

 

[Melody.Monroe]

I'm transitioning...but I have like 7 inches of natural...I flat iron to straighten every few weeks. I don't have much breakage at all. But I use ALOT of heat protecting products and I also was and deep condition with Jojoba oil (pure) and that plumps my hair too. Plus you have to make sure that you comb the sections so that the hairs don't lay crazy when pressed between the plates. Use EVEN strokes through the hair also...it helps.

HTH.

 

[~~HoneyComb~~]

does your hair break during the flat ironing process?

No it doesn't.....do you find that your hair breaks when you flat iron?

 

[Country gal]

If I do it myself I tend to have more breakage. I decided to treat myself this year so I have been going to the stylist lately. I get breakage because my hair is so thick I get tired when I get to the back.

 

[Keshieshimmer]

Well I am a year and 4 months into my transition and my hair breaks like mad. However I find that when my hair is straight I don't do much to it and I manipulate it less. I just did a hardcore protein treatment, because I know that I lack protein in my hair care.

I guess the positive thing about the breakage is that it is mostly (85%) relaxed hair, and I don't want that anyways.

 

[asakeba]

No it doesn't.....do you find that your hair breaks when you flat iron?

Yes. I'm one year into a transition. I only have 3 inches of relaxed hair at the front part of my hair and the back is completely natural. I use JBCO regularly plus i deep condition 2x a week, both protein and moisture, so I'm not sure what's wrong. I only flat iron maybe once every 2-3 months. I know its not the relaxed hair that's breaking because the texture of the breakage is not relaxed, but looks natural.

 

[Qtee]

The last time I str8ened (in Sept) my hair broke like crazy..Now my right side is shorter than my left by like an inch..Now it could be that my left side grows quicker IDK...I just know that I wont be flat ironing my hair anymore..If I want a str8 look I will rollerset or blow dry..I'm scared of the iron..

 

[givemecurls]

I don't experience a lot of breakage and you shouldn't either unless you are transitioning and/or not using the best techniques. I flat iron my hair 1-2 times/month (still a lot but only for the fall/winter) and I take precautions to ensure I use as little direct heat as possible. I deep condition my hair overnight the day before I flat iron and then I do a pre-poo with coconut oil prior to doing a clarifying shampoo wash and co-wash on the day I plan to straighten. I also stretch my hair by doing a roller set before the flat iron goes anywhere near my head. I let my hair air dry in the rollers until it is about half dry then sit under the dryer for 30-40 minutes until completely dry. THEN I only flat iron the roots and I use a heat protectant. After that I don't flat iron until I do a touch up after about a week.

This is what works for me...good luck!

 

[Prudent1]

What is the condition of your hair period? IOW, do you have a pretty good grip on the protein moisture balance necessary for good hair health? I ask b/c I had moderate breakage b/f I started examining my strands (usually from my brush) to see how elastic or whatever my hair was. If that's not the problem, are you flat ironing in small sections and using something similar to the chase method? It seems like you DC often enough but it could be too much for your hair. How about your porosity? What's it like? Once I got those things under control I have very little breakage when I flat iron. I usually DC overnight the night before. In the AM I rinse condish out and follow w/ a good LV in and seal with oil blend. I airdry or blow dry leaving hair partially damp. Then I section my hair off and flat iron on med to med high heat using some type of modified chase method. Sometimes I apply shea butter before flat ironing but most of the time I put it on after. The shea butter keeps my hair from reverting. In colder months it keeps it from drying out and possibly snagging on my sweaters and wool coats.
HTH

 

[Missjae09]

I don't get breakage when I flat iron.. like some of the others have said, when using heat I think it's important to Deep condition and use heat protectants. Flat ironing alone should not cause breakage if your hair is being cared for properly.

 

[Tiye]

Not much. Your hair should be very well detangled before you iron - don't skimp on this step and also if you're using a wide toothed comb that might not cut it.

 

[ChristmasCarol]

I'm 18 months into a 30 month transition and I flatiron once or twice each month. I get no breakage at the line of demarcation or the 9+ inches of natural hair. I don't flatiron my hair the same day I wash. I detangle thoroughly and then put it in a few plaits to dry overnight. I apply heat serum generously to those sections while braiding. The next day I Maxiglide on a fairly low temperature without applying any other products. The press will last 5 days with no reversion. My flatiron jobs don't turn out nearly as well when I add serum as I'm flatironing, and I have to use a higher temperature setting for the same effect. I notice a small amount of breakage when I wash/blowdry/flatiron all on the same day. HTH.

 

[Melody.Monroe]

Here is an example of the comb-thingy-ma-jig that you use the Flat Iron to Chase...

Sedu Professional Straightening Accessory Comb | Folica.com

 

[Janet']

I don't get breakage when I flat iron.. like some of the others have said, when using heat I think it's important to Deep condition and use heat protectants. Flat ironing alone should not cause breakage if your hair is being cared for properly.

Ditto! While I was transitioning, I went to the Dominicans...they didn't flat iron- that high heat blow dryer didn't help but didn't hurt either...I don't get breakage though...Missjae09 is my kitchentician, lol!