Any naturals that thrive with heat styling?

[AstroQueen77]

Ive been natural for about 6 years. . These past 2 years, I havent used heat AT ALL. Not even to dry after a shampoo. I mainly do Co washes and dont manipulate. Before that, I was in braids, and I stuck too it because it was convenient for me.
Im just not buying this no heat thing a lot of people are claiming. My hair is still coarse, its not particularly growing any better, and the ends are still breaking off more than I would like.
The only time I could ever say confidently that my hair was healthy was when I was getting regular old fashioned press and curls. My hair grew fast, was shiny and there was no shedding! It was a combination of the products and the skill of the presser that made it work for my hair. I think there is a way to work with heat so that it benefits you. I never learned to press, so Im going to have to be dependent on hair dressers again...which Im feeling about..but I want some managable hair natural hair, that grows and is versatile.

 

[BrockStar]

Bump

 

[glamazon386]

While I don't think using heat helps your hair I do think that maybe by wearing your hair straight most of the time you got less tangles. Which in turn could have meant less breakage and more hair retained.

 

[BillsBackerz67]

While I don't think using heat helps your hair I do think that maybe by wearing your hair straight most of the time you got less tangles. Which in turn could have meant less breakage and more hair retained.

Wearing my hair straight does help with this issue. Becasue I am using heat a tad bit more frequently (once a month compared to once a year when i first went natural) I am getting less breakage and less single strand knots.

 

[glamazon386]

Wearing my hair straight does help with this issue. Becasue I am using heat a tad bit more frequently (once a month compared to once a year when i first went natural) I am getting less breakage and less single strand knots.

How often are you wearing it straight and for how long?

 

[ClassicBeauty]

Ive been natural for about 6 years. . These past 2 years, I havent used heat AT ALL. Not even to dry after a shampoo. I mainly do Co washes and dont manipulate. Before that, I was in braids, and I stuck too it because it was convenient for me.
Im just not buying this no heat thing a lot of people are claiming. My hair is still coarse, its not particularly growing any better, and the ends are still breaking off more than I would like.
The only time I could ever say confidently that my hair was healthy was when I was getting regular old fashioned press and curls. My hair grew fast, was shiny and there was no shedding! It was a combination of the products and the skill of the presser that made it work for my hair. I think there is a way to work with heat so that it benefits you. I never learned to press, so Im going to have to be dependent on hair dressers again...which Im feeling about..but I want some managable hair natural hair, that grows and is versatile.

It's never too late to learn.

 

[Fine 4s]

Co-signing with glamazon386.

However here are some thoughts on using heat...

Yes, your hair can still grow, seemingly with less breakage precisely because of the reason mentioned by glamazon386. HOWEVER how would you know if you are not causing the less obvious but permanent damage called heat damage? Does it matter to you?
While there's nothing wrong with using heat, I would do my best to prevent heat damage.
KNOWING that I have strands so damaged that they can’t revert is too bothersome. For me, it's the equivalent of rocking a fake brand vs. the real thing. In my world, if I can't afford that more expensive brand than it’s not for me.

I would also say that heat damage is achieved quicker depending on one's hair texture. Some people's hair can withstand a whole lot of heat. For me, if you have hot breath and blow on my hair, the strands will wilt like a dying flower.

My hair is thriving now that I have cut out heat from my regimen since 2006. When I was going to the salon to blowdry and curl my hair with the marcel stove, I would always fine little broken hairs all over my bathroom floor. My goal is to reach BSL or MBL and then BAM, back to heat although in strict moderation! Meaning, heat protectant, blowdrying on low heat (if not cool just to dry it) or airdrying in plaits, only flat iron, curling iron or pressing (I have to pick one) a few times a year. I need to learn how to press my own hair too, like Pinkskates.

I've read on this board that some folks actually like the new texture of their hair WITH the heat damage. The point being, if it works for you do more of it!

 

[Transformer]

Having been natural for nearly 20 years.....I will relay my experience with different natural styles.

Two Strand twist- Done every three weeks. Hair grew like crazy. No hit used

Wash and Go- Washing 4x a week. Dry hair with lots of breakeage.


Rollersetting-Heat Dryer used(just got my Pibbs)--no tangles, less hair loss, retaining growth.

 

[Transformer]

Having been natural for nearly 20 years.....I will relay my experience with different natural styles.

Two Strand twist- Done every three weeks. Hair grew like crazy. No heat used.

Press-Fried ends, dry hair, breakage. Lots of heat--no good

Wash and Go- Washing 4x a week. Dry hair with lots of breakeage.No heat


Rollersetting-Heat Dryer used(just got my Pibbs)--no tangles, less hair loss, retaining growth. I think the daily moisturizer is penetrating better and genrally, I'm just more pleased.

Summary- Preferred methods are two strand twists-no heat
Rollersetting-moderate heat.

 

[brownsugarflyygirl]

I was natural until 8th grade and my hair was APL, shiny, and healthy with getting presses every two weeks with that good ol' fashion blue magic...so I think its definitely possible for your hair to thrive using heat.

As for my regimen now, I have been low-heat for about two years but once I reach BSL, I plan to use heat to straighten my hair once a month.

I also co-sign with EbonyBee about the two-strand twists....its definitely one of my favorite styles and I definitely retain length wearing it.

 

[BillsBackerz67]

How often are you wearing it straight and for how long?

Once a month and I can go up to 2 weeks in the winter...well i can go longer but after continually moisturiszing and stuff it gets limp and dirty so 2 weeks is max....in the summer i dont even attempt the straight hair.

 

[beautifulisaunderstatment]

Welll I have about 3 inches of relaxed ends left in the front of my head, the rest is natural BSL. I find that I cant do wash n go's often. My hair tangles and frizzes and doesnt like airdrying ANYWAY. So I will flat iron my hai rmaybe once a month. I also wear braid outs twistouts and braids with extensions added. I find an increasing number of naturals have problems with wash n go hair. BUT I dont think frequent pressing or flat ironing or blow outs are a good way to treat hair period. Most people who do that frequently end up with thin dry breaking hair. There are better alternatives that dont involve wash n wear techniques.

 

[turnergirl]

My hair thrived all the way up into my 4th year until I stopped straightneing and then I have dealt with knots knots and more knots.

 

[TheNewFine]

Once a month and I can go up to 2 weeks in the winter...well i can go longer but after continually moisturiszing and stuff it gets limp and dirty so 2 weeks is max....in the summer i dont even attempt the straight hair.

Has this effected your curl pattern at all?

 

[Mook's hair]

Pink Skates is natural and uses frequent heat. You should PM her or look in her fotki. She's usually on here alot.

 

[audacity.]

Pink Skates is natural and uses frequent heat. You should PM her or look in her fotki. She's usually on here alot.

I was thinking the same thing

 

[inthepink]

My hair does better with some heat styling (via roller sets and flat iron) b/c it keeps me from getting knots.

 

[glamazon386]

Once a month and I can go up to 2 weeks in the winter...well i can go longer but after continually moisturiszing and stuff it gets limp and dirty so 2 weeks is max....in the summer i dont even attempt the straight hair.

Thanks... I think I'm going to try wearing mine straight more often while it's still cold out.

 

[CenteredGirl]

Just thought I'd peek in to see who does this successfully. I can't say I can do it. But then again, I wouldn't want to cause I love my coils.

 

[tt8]

I was wondering when you did wash and go- how did you style your hair after... I have almost been a member for a year but I am still trying to figure out what is best for my hair. I am washing 4x a week cause I think it helps the hair grow but why would you think it causes breakage it my ends are moist?
Thanks

Having been natural for nearly 20 years.....I will relay my experience with different natural styles.

Two Strand twist- Done every three weeks. Hair grew like crazy. No heat used.

Press-Fried ends, dry hair, breakage. Lots of heat--no good

Wash and Go- Washing 4x a week. Dry hair with lots of breakeage.No heat


Rollersetting-Heat Dryer used(just got my Pibbs)--no tangles, less hair loss, retaining growth. I think the daily moisturizer is penetrating better and genrally, I'm just more pleased.

Summary- Preferred methods are two strand twists-no heat
Rollersetting-moderate heat.

 

[nysister]

Bumping this up, because I'm curious.