Is Hair Steamer REALLY Necessary for Naturals?

[AKA-Tude]

I have heard so much about the hair steamers,
and I'm sure there are many benefits,
but are they REALLY necessary for Naturals?

Do they really make a difference in maintaining
natural hair & why?

I know there are plenty of threads out there on this subject,
but I want to really hear from those that have purchased/used
the steamers consistently,
and whether there is a positive difference in their
hair versus before they started using it.

TIA for all of your responses...

 

[ms.blue]

Doing' da bump! I'm debating on buying one for christmas.

 

[bronzebomb]

I my steamer. But, I believe you can get similar results with a plastic baggie and a regular hooded dryer.

 

[LaBelleLL]

I like my steamer as well but I'm not using it as much as I thought I would. I've been putting a DC in overnight or all during the day as I run errands, etc. I received it last winter and used it religiously during the winter. I'm aiming to do the same this year. I have a feeling it'll be something I use during the fall and winter months only.
hth

 

[AKA-Tude]

Thanx ladies.

 

[Curlykutie]

I love my steamer and I use it every week to dc.

 

[Esthi777]

I prefer the good 'ol plastic cap under the hooded dryer rather than the steamer

 

[Renewed1]

During the summer months, I don't use my steamer because of the humidity.

But during the winter months YES YES YES, my steamer combats the dryness I normally have during the colder months.

My hair NEEDS the moisture, products really don't have the staying power as my steamer; to keep my hair moisturized.

 

[ms-gg]

No! Don't own one and don't plan to own one! I want to steam my hair, I put a shower cap on my head 80s style and let mother nature do its thing! Real talk. If I am getting it for free, then that is another story....

But naw bruh, I can get a 12 pack of shower caps at Dollar Tree. Bump dat!

 

[yaya24]

Its a nice treat. (I loove my steamer).
Necessary no.
DC overnight w/ a shower cap for the same overall feel.

 

[mzteaze]

I really like my steamer. I use it regularly. However, I am glad I got it for free.

 

[bludaydreamr]

My stylist started steaming my hair when I first started transitioning in 2007, and it made all the difference. A year after I stopped going to my stylist hair seemed to dry out more quickly between wash days. I have had it for a little over three years; I don't use it every week(once or twice a month), but I still prefer a real steam treatment over any other method(especially for a kitchen concoction).

 

[jamaica68]

A steamer isn't necessary but it's great to have, I also use mine regularly especially in the winter months.

 

[Imani]

I don't think its necessarily about being natural, but your hair type/properties. My hair is very dry and porous. I've always seen really vast improvements with my hair through steaming even back when I was relaxed. But for some folks it doesn't really make that big of a difference and sometimes none at all.

 

[NappyNelle]

I loooooooove my steamer. I've seen a big difference in my moisture and protein balance since using it. My hair feels like it belongs to a different person. I didn't think it would make that much of a difference but um... it has. I don't have a dryer, and I used to use body heat for my deep conditioning. Now I use my steamer weekly for protein and moisture treatments.

Bottom line, don't miss important bill payments for a steamer. And if you have a dryer, you don't need one. If you want a hair treat, get one on sale from Salons R Us.

 

[Bublin]

I got great results today from doing this.....

Put a wringed out turbie towel that was soaked in hot water directly onto my hair.
Followed by a Foil processing cap.
On top of that i put on another hot turbie towel
On top of all that a plastic cap.
Sat under the hooded dryer for about 20 mins.
I let everything cool down before i took it all off - my hair was still quite warm after a good while and it was very soft.

I don't think i'll be buying a steamer.

 

[Nonie]

Necessary? NO. Never had one. Don't miss it.

Have I had my hair steamed? Yes. But it was more a luxury than a necessity. I mean, I don't even "moisturize" my hair which means I really should NEED a steamer. But I don't. Clearly not necessary for me.

 

[Firstborn2]

I got great results today from doing this.....

Put a wringed out turbie towel that was soaked in hot water directly onto my hair.
Followed by a Foil processing cap.
On top of that i put on another hot turbie towel
On top of all that a plastic cap.
Sat under the hooded dryer for about 20 mins.
I let everything cool down before i took it all off - my hair was still quite warm after a good while and it was very soft.

I don't think i'll be buying a steamer.

This is what I do and get good results except, I use one turbie and plastic cap, and sit under the dryer.

 

[Renewed1]

I loooooooove my steamer. I've seen a big difference in my moisture and protein balance since using it. My hair feels like it belongs to a different person. I didn't think it would make that much of a difference but um... it has. I don't have a dryer, and I used to use body heat for my deep conditioning. Now I use my steamer weekly for protein and moisture treatments.

Bottom line, don't miss important bill payments for a steamer. And if you have a dryer, you don't need one. If you want a hair treat, get one on sale from Salons R Us.

Agreed. I have a stand alone dryer and steamer. But these were birthday presents for myself and I bought them over a span of 2 years. .

But I do like what the steam does for my face as well.

 

[Shadiyah]

you know I was thinking about this earlier when I was remembering how my hair was in Atlanta and how hard it was to retain my length. I was getting a steam treatment every week. I really didn't see a difference because it didn't help with my problem and come to think about it that means I was getting much moisture then too. maybe it could have been the products she was using on my hair and the fact that I was using the bad henna from the store that had all kinds of sticks and things in it.

 

[Alta Angel]

I love my steamer and feel that it has done wonders for my hair. It has paid for itself 100xs over since I have had it for two years and use it 3-4 times per month. I love it using moisturizing conditioners or honey/oil mixes.

That being said, it is definitely extra and not a necessity. As someone said earlier, don't miss any bills trying to get a steamer!

 

[NefertariBlu]

For me, it is definitely worth the money. My hair needs the heat to absorb condioners. I recently bought on about 2 months ago and I'm glad I did. I have 4b hair so it needs help in the moisture department.

 

[greenandchic]

Silly question, but does anyone use a hand dryer to steam with a plastic cap? I didn't realize so many people here have hooded dryers (apartment living doesn't allow for such extras).

 

[westNDNbeauty]

Apparently Huetiful told me my hair is too healthy to benefit from the steamer I purchased from them.

Check out my review here.

My hair benefits from overnight conditioning. Steaming? Not so much unless I add oils directly to my conditioner. And even then I question if my hair feels good because it is moisturized or because it is oiled. Who knows but I do know the product Huetiful markets with their steamer has oil as the 2nd ingredient.

 

[mzteaze]

Silly question, but does anyone use a hand dryer to steam with a plastic cap? I didn't realize so many people here have hooded dryers (apartment living doesn't allow for such extras).

Not exactly sure how that would work. I know there are bonnet-type DRYERS that work using a handheld blow dryer but not a steamer. Steamers generally work by making steam to mist on your hair.

Huetiful is a portable steamer that many apartment dwellers seem to like.

 

[faithVA]

I like conditioning under my heat cap because its easy and because that small amount of heat does make the difference. But one thing huetiful did say on their yt video is that the steam really helps the scalp (helping release toxins, bacteria, etc). I hadn't really thought of that but it would make sense. That is a benefit that I can't get from conditioning. And since I have scalp issues I definitely want to start paying attention to this.

I really haven't not been steaming regularly.

The answer to the question though is no its not neccessary. But I do think that as I use it more and CORRECTLY that I will see a benefit.

 

[AKA-Tude]

Silly question, but does anyone use a hand dryer to steam with a plastic cap? I didn't realize so many people here have hooded dryers (apartment living doesn't allow for such extras).

I found this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-Hair-Dryer-Soft-Hood-Bonnet-Attachment-/300599983678?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45fd27be3e#ht_1113wt_1187


It doesn't use steam but you could use it w/plastic cap.

 

[AKA-Tude]

I like conditioning under my heat cap because its easy and because that small amount of heat does make the difference. But one thing huetiful did say on their yt video is that the steam really helps the scalp (helping release toxins, bacteria, etc). I hadn't really thought of that but it would make sense. That is a benefit that I can't get from conditioning. And since I have scalp issues I definitely want to start paying attention to this.

I really haven't not been steaming regularly.

The answer to the question though is no its not neccessary. But I do think that as I use it more and CORRECTLY that I will see a benefit.

This is my interest as well.

Do you think it would be necessary even though we use the Terressentials/bentonite powders?

Or would it help?

 

[faithVA]

AKA-Tude[/USER];14241619]This is my interest as well.

Do you think it would be necessary even though we use the Terressentials/bentonite powders?

Or would it help?

I can't say for sure. i do think the Terressentials helps the scalp. My scalp has never felt as good as it has in the past 30 days. But I am wondering if once the mud has removed toxins and helped to heal the scalp if the steam would penetrate the scalp and give it some extra moisture along with the hair. My scalp has been quite dry for year.

I am going to steam for the rest of the year and really give it a good test. My scalp has been healing without the mud wash or the steam with just oil and scalp massages. But the mud wash has soothed it a lot. So let's see what the steam will do.

Will keep you posted. Will steam this Sunday with EOs added to the water.

 

[NaturalEnigma]

When I brought my steamer it advertised that it would:
Condition the hair 5X better than a hooded dryer.
Cleanse and purify your scalp
Allow for easy detangeling
Help dye and color penetrate hair quickly and more effectively
Help your hair retain moisture.

So far I've seen it do 3 out of the 5 things it promised. Detangling is a breeze after using the steamer, and my hair seems to hold moisture longer then when I used my hooded dryer. I don't dye my hair, but my mother does, she's also natural. I let her use my steamer after she applied a black dye in her hair. Her hair stayed black for so many months, even she noticed the difference. She was so mad when I moved to my new apartment and took the steamer with me, lol, oh well. I said to myself if I ever do Henna I'll sit under my steamer to let the dye penetrate better.

I agree with what other posts has said its nice to have, but once you have it you're hooked. I don't even use my hooded dryer anymore, and if my steamer broke today, I would buy a new one, just because I'm so used to it by now, not so much the effects it brings my hair.