How to Maintain Straightened Natural Hair

[sonce]

I am going to get my hair rollerset and maybe blow-dried at a Dominican place this Friday. I am very nervous because since going natural (I'm in my 4th year), I have never had my hair straight (not even blow-dried). Before then, my hair was 3-5" of damaged, relaxed hair and I knew nothing about hair care. So, basically, all the hair care techniques I know are for nappy hair and I have no idea how to maintain straight hair.

I want my money to be worth it (so I don't want my hair reverting to natural in two days or something) and my hair is about waist length at this point, so that is a lot of straight hair to keep safe from moisture and whatever else can make hair revert.

Any suggestions? How can I keep my hair from reverting until I'm ready for it to do so? Please help.

I'm really, really nervous about getting my hair straightened...

 

[remnant]

I hope that your straighten experience will be great!
I copied it from an old thread:

TO Prevent Flatironed hair from reversion ​

• Bun it and wrap in a scarf wrapping it and putting on my silk scarf
• Before bathing: wrap it with a silk scarf first and then wrap it with a terry cloth cover(tissu éponge). You can either use a regular towel or get the ones that are specially made for the head.
• I wrap my hair with a silk scarf first then pull the shower cap down low on my forehead. I also make sure not to wash my face in the shower. I found that I push my shower cap up and all of my edges would be getting wet. So now I wash my face at the sink before I get in the shower
• keep my night head gear on under my shower cap. Also most nights I pin-curl my hair so that keeps stray hairs from sticking out and it also keeps the roots flat and the ends protected .

HTH

 

[JustKiya]

I'm no help, but sonce, your hair is GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!



My hair wants to tell your hair that it wants to be like you when it grows up.

 

[yodie]

When I was Natural (I'm on my way back to being Natural), I used Sebastian Laminate Drops to keep my hair straight and smooth. It doesn't work a miracle, but it did help.

 

[sonce]

I'm no help, but sonce, your hair is GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!



My hair wants to tell your hair that it wants to be like you when it grows up.

Awww thanks.

 

[sonce]

I hope that your straighten experience will be great!
I copied it from an old thread:

TO Prevent Flatironed hair from reversion ​

• Bun it and wrap in a scarf wrapping it and putting on my silk scarf
• Before bathing: wrap it with a silk scarf first and then wrap it with a terry cloth cover(tissu éponge). You can either use a regular towel or get the ones that are specially made for the head.
• I wrap my hair with a silk scarf first then pull the shower cap down low on my forehead. I also make sure not to wash my face in the shower. I found that I push my shower cap up and all of my edges would be getting wet. So now I wash my face at the sink before I get in the shower
• keep my night head gear on under my shower cap. Also most nights I pin-curl my hair so that keeps stray hairs from sticking out and it also keeps the roots flat and the ends protected .

HTH

Thanks so much!

More suggestions are welcome, please. Products to use before setting? after setting? daily?

Thanks for your product recommendation, Yodie.

 

[Poobity]

I got my hair pressed on Thursday, and it's holding up well compared to my other presses. What I do to keep it from reverting is to take baths (as compared to showers), I wrap it at night, and I don't wear my hair down when it's styled. I wear it bunned b/c I don't want to deal with my ends rubbing on my clothes.

Make sure to add pics of your hair!!

 

[sonce]

I got my hair pressed on Thursday, and it's holding up well compared to my other presses. What I do to keep it from reverting is to take baths (as compared to showers), I wrap it at night, and I don't wear my hair down when it's styled. I wear it bunned b/c I don't want to deal with my ends rubbing on my clothes.

Thanks for the tips, especially the bunning one. Do you find that bunning leaves crimps in your hair that makes it look weird at all?

Make sure to add pics of your hair!!

Oh good idea! I'll definitely take pictures.

 

[nakialovesshoes]

For those of you tired of reading my lil rollerset/flat iron story, I apologize. But for Ms. Sonce- 1st & 4most, I love your hair. It is an absolute thrill to see someone with type 4 hair breaking the length barriers. CONGRATS!!! I didn't go to a Dominican salon but I did rollerset & flat ironed my own hair. I've been tying it up according to Sylver's instructions instead of wrapping it & my hair is still bouncy & light like it was the 1st day I did it - 3 days ago. I oil my ends with Vatika nightly b4 I tie it up. And of course I put on a couple of scarves & shower caps to avoid moisture when I'm in the shower. HTH

 

[ladylibra]

i work in a restaurant so i do a lot of running back and forth, which can result in sweating out straightened hair. my hair isn't as long as yours but i just pulled it back into a ponytail and then put it one big braid. your hair won't be stick-straight anymore, but it keeps reversion at bay. just another idea.

 

[sonce]

*Bump for more replies*

 

[ClassicBeauty]

I wear my hair straight most of the time, and for me, Silicones work very well. Try leave ins with silicone.

 

[sonce]

*bump* Another question: what would you guys do to prepare your hair for (the possible trauma of) being done by a hairdresser?

 

[Chanteuse]

I suggest applying a serum to your hair, wrapping it at night and tying with a silk scarf. I know that some people don't like wrapping but when I have a blowout that is the best way to preserve the "integrity of the style" IMO. You don't get any bumps or crimps this way and IF your hair is blown out VERY straight then there is No damage at all from the wrapping process. Good luck and please post pics once you get it done!

ETA - If your hair is not bone straight when you get it done then I would not recommend wrapping. Some of the other methods would work better in that case.

 

[nappity]

Cant help . My hair reverts in a matter of minutes. I think its cause of the wiriness of my hair. Your hair is beautiful!!.

 

[*Happily Me*]

o0o0 i know it's going to look pretty!

just wanted to say that I your hair AND your hair is what stopped me from putting in a corrective last week. I wanted my hair straighter.

I saw your hair and remembered how much i like my hair's thickness, the naps and it's uniqueness

 

[rabs77]

Since I started using macherieamour's method of wrapping, my presses lasts for much longer than before. Check out her tutorial at www.healthytextures.com
I also do not wash my face in the shower. I wash it in the sink before or after my shower so I have more control over the water touching my hairline
HTH

 

[sonce]

o0o0 i know it's going to look pretty!

just wanted to say that I your hair AND your hair is what stopped me from putting in a corrective last week. I wanted my hair straighter.

I saw your hair and remembered how much i like my hair's thickness, the naps and it's uniqueness

This is the most beautiful, wonderful thing you could have said to me. I am so honored right now that I don't even know what to do with myself. Any time I inspire anyone to appreciate their naps, the whole mission behind my fotki is fulfilled. You have no idea how you've made my day. God bless you in your journey! If you ever need support, just reach out.

 

[Poohbear]

What do you ladies do about your hair when exercising to prevent reversion???

 

[sonce]

What do you ladies do about your hair when exercising to prevent reversion???

I don't exercise. Shame on me. But I plan to begin on new year's just because. I don't plan to wear my hair straight for another few years, so soon, I will be back to no fears of reversion.

 

[sonce]

Since I started using macherieamour's method of wrapping, my presses lasts for much longer than before. Check out her tutorial at www.healthytextures.com
I also do not wash my face in the shower. I wash it in the sink before or after my shower so I have more control over the water touching my hairline
HTH

Thanks for the link! And thanks to the other ladies in the thread whose posts I have not individually commented on. I have read all the posts and I appreciate all the suggestions. Thank you all for being helpful. If you ever need tips on creating ultrasmooth braids, just ask a sista!

 

[aja1121]

What do you ladies do about your hair when exercising to prevent reversion???

You have to tie it down, wrap it or whatever...but a scarf has to go on.

 

[Poohbear]

You have to tie it down, wrap it or whatever...but a scarf has to go on.

Ive tried this while exercising and my hair puffs up from the scarf being around my head.

 

[*Happily Me*]

This is the most beautiful, wonderful thing you could have said to me. I am so honored right now that I don't even know what to do with myself. Any time I inspire anyone to appreciate their naps, the whole mission behind my fotki is fulfilled. You have no idea how you've made my day. God bless you in your journey! If you ever need support, just reach out.

i sure will

in time, i will go natural. I'm going to get some sisterlocs on day

 

[Bubblingbrownshuga]

Sonce, aren't you afraid that someone will cross reference your question on another board and make a 'nappy we've lost to the flaming tool of torture' example out of you? It's happened to me before...

 

[Poohbear]

Sonce, aren't you afraid that someone will cross reference your question on another board and make a 'nappy we've lost to the flaming tool of torture' example out of you? It's happened to me before...

How come I was thinking the same thing last night when I viewed this thread?

 

[SpyCats]

Sonce, aren't you afraid that someone will cross reference your question on another board and make a 'nappy we've lost to the flaming tool of torture' example out of you? It's happened to me before...

that cracked me up!

 

[Bubblingbrownshuga]

How come I was thinking the same thing last night when I viewed this thread?

Girl when sonce spoke over there they listened. She may break some hearts with this one

 

[SpyCats]

Girl when sonce spoke over there they listened. She may break some hearts with this one

I was one of those that listened as she spoke. I enjoyed her posts. I haven't been "over there" in quite some time.

 

[sonce]

Sonce, aren't you afraid that someone will cross reference your question on another board and make a 'nappy we've lost to the flaming tool of torture' example out of you? It's happened to me before...

Good question. Thank you for asking it.

1. The fact that mere roller setting to get one's hair cut into a shape is anathema on that board illustrates the kind of insanity that results when groupthink is rampant and no one is allowed to question. The inhabitants of Jonestown suffered from the same kind of intellectual inbreeding, and we see how they ended up.

2. Not to toot my own horn, but ain't nobody on that board got nothing on me when it comes to being a nappy soldier. I been keeping it nappy and I'll stay keeping it nappy long after many of them have capitulated b/c my decision is neither the result of peer pressure nor is it the result of being propped up by a peer group. I have stood firm in my hair, my politics, my vision without ever wavering because I saw my truth years ago and it changed my life. Some of them posers wish they were as resolute as I am. So they can all bite my a.ss ten out of ten times they disagree with me.

Anyone on this board who wants to start a thread over there should waste no time--do it right this minute--and should rest assured I won't be defending myself over anything to anyone, especially not on that board EVER (and yes, I can still access that board--terror! ). Those who need extremism and fundamentalism in order to travel their hair journey are not strong enough to have anything worthy to say to me.