Flat Iron Temperatures

[MadisonK]

Hi,

What temperature do you turn your flat iron on to get that bone straight, swingy look?

thanks!

 

[MissM]

Highest it will go.

 

[Artemis]

Yeah, pretty much. But the good thing is that the style will last longer, and you won't need to do anything to it until the next wash...That's how my stylist did it when I went to her, but when I'm at home, I'll settle for around 325-350.

 

[tiffers]

350 most of the time

 

[MadisonK]

Thanks Ladies!

I was a wee bit nervous to turn my Chi flat iron up to the highest temp, but you're right i don't have to do it everyday.

Do you all use heat protectants?

I went to my stylist and she flat ironed my hair with the flat iron u put on the stove and she didn't use a heat protectant. i was like . She said "you don't need it and it just weighs the hair down".

What do you think?

 

[AudraChanell]

I use my Jilbere flat iron (from Sally's) on it's highest setting which I believe is 30? I flat iron each roller as I remove them and the result is silky- smooth hair that bounces for days.

 

[MadisonK]

I use my Jilbere flat iron (from Sally's) on it's highest setting which I believe is 30? I flat iron each roller as I remove them and the result is silky- smooth hai r that bounces for day.

Ok, that's a good idea! To flat iron each roller as you remove it. I'm gonna try that.

 

[MadisonK]

Are you all flat ironing once a week?

 

[wannabelong]

I wanted to know this too. Thanks for the replies.

 

[AudraChanell]

Well for the most part I'm doing bi-weekly roller sets. I don't like the idea of flat ironing weekly so if I shampoo my hair again I wear some other hairstyle. But in short, I slowly and steadily drag the flat iron down the length of my hair removing the rollers, then wrap my hair for bed once I'm done. The swing is amazing

 

[Artemis]

Yeah, I'm flat ironing once/wk nowadays. I deep condition with a conditioner that has a balanced amount of moisture and protein each week. I also use more than one product that has heat protection properties in it. Ever since my stylist showed me different way to roller/wrap and flat iron afterwards, I have been hooked.

But if I wash 2x/wk, I only flat iron one of those 2 days. The other day is a braidout or flexirod set.

 

[MadisonK]

Well for the most part I'm doing bi-weekly roller sets. I don't like the idea of flat ironing weekly so if I shampoo my hair again I wear some other hairstyle. But in short, I slowly and steadily drag the flat iron down the length of my hair removing the rollers, then wrap my hair for bed once I'm done. The swing is amazing

Yeh, umm...i'll be trying this method. Thanks!

 

[MadisonK]

Yeah, I'm flat ironing once/wk nowadays. I deep condition with a conditioner that has a balanced amount of moisture and protein each week. I also use more than one product that has heat protection properties in it. Ever since my stylist showed me different way to roller/wrap and flat iron afterwards, I have been hooked.

But if I wash 2x/wk, I only flat iron one of those 2 days. The other day is a braidout or flexirod set.

Yeh, i'll only flat iron once/wk too. I see there's another thread and people don't flat iron but a couple of times a YEAR.

Do you all think flat ironing once/week prevents your hair from growing to it's full potential?

 

[LiLi]

Highest it will go.

Same here ... just use a really good heat protectant.

 

[MadisonK]

Same here ... just use a really good heat protectant.

Thanks. What heat protectant do you use? Any suggestions appreciated!

 

[LiLi]

Thanks. What heat protectant do you use? Any suggestions appreciated!

Although not mentioned on the board much, I use Kerastase Ciment Thermique as my heat protectant. It's a reconstructive treatment as well. I don't flat iron often so one tube lasts me about a year. I flat iron probably once a month (and just the crown area). I can't say enough good things about it. I have found that it works even better when used with the Bain de Force Shampoo and Antiusure conditioner.

 

[MadisonK]

Although not mentioned on the board much, I use Kerastase Ciment Thermique as my heat protectant. It's a reconstructive treatment as well. I don't flat iron often so one tube lasts me about a year. I flat iron probably once a month (and just the crown area). I can't say enough good things about it. I have found that it works even better when used with the Bain de Force Shampoo and Antiusure conditioner.

Thanks. i just read that Kerastase Ciment Thermique was voted as the #1 styling cream by Allure magazine. Anytime, they say something is great and i try it I love it. I see it aint cheap, but oh well...i'll take my lunch to work next week!

 

[Country gal]

Ok, that's a good idea! To flat iron each roller as you remove it. I'm gonna try that.

Good suggestion. I am roller setting my hair tonight so I don't use so much heat.

 

[Artemis]

Yeh, i'll only flat iron once/wk too. I see there's another thread and people don't flat iron but a couple of times a YEAR.

Do you all think flat ironing once/week prevents your hair from growing to it's full potential?

Not at all because I like to switch up how I style my hair throughout the relaxer cycle. I cannot even rollerset every wash from touch-up to touch-up. My hair will rebel. Too much of anything is a bad thing as we all know. I just make sure to dc often, and give my hair a break from everything every once in a while. Even if my hair was not growing to its full potential, it is growing at a rate that I am comfortable with, because length is accumulating reasonably, and I am not going to live in a bun for a year. I did that last year and got the same growth. *shrugs*

 

[MadisonK]

Not at all because I like to switch up how I style my hair throughout the relaxer cycle. I cannot even rollerset every wash from touch-up to touch-up. My hair will rebel. Too much of anything is a bad thing as we all know. I just make sure to dc often, and give my hair a break from everything every once in a while. Even if my hair was not growing to its full potential, it is growing at a rate that I am comfortable with, because length is accumulating reasonably, and I am not going to live in a bun for a year. I did that last year and got the same growth. *shrugs*

Ok...i like the way you think! Very good point.

 

[MissM]

I flat iron 1x a week and use Chi Silk Infusion. I have to use the highest setting if I want my hair to look smooth and silky. As I've said before, half poofy hair is not me!! And as you can tell by my avatar.....high heat hasn't hurt me one bit!!! I could easily grow my hair to waist length, even trimming every 12 weeks, and it would still be healthy. The only other time my hair was this healthy was when I used to go get it done at the salon and I can't even imagine what temp those stoves go to!!

And like AudraChanell, I have to flat iron mine too if I rollerset-of course on the highest temp. But I only do one pass.

 

[MadisonK]

I flat iron 1x a week and use Chi Silk Infusion. I have to use the highest setting if I want my hair to look smooth and silky. As I've said before, half poofy hair is not me!! And as you can tell by my avatar.....high heat hasn't hurt me one bit!!! I could easily grow my hair to waist length, even trimming every 12 weeks, and it would still be healthy. The only other time my hair was this healthy was when I used to go get it done at the salon and I can't even imagine what temp those stoves go to!!

And like AudraChanell, I have to flat iron mine too if I rollerset-of course on the highest temp. But I only do one pass.

Thanks. I feel better about using the highest setting on my Chi iron. I'll use the Chi Silk Infusion too from now on.

Thanks everyone for the help!

 

[Babychoc]

To get my hair BONE straight, I MUST flat iron on the highest setting which is 450. I have the H2pro flat iron, and it's the best flat iron I've ever owned! My hair comes out fantastic every time. I deep condition weekly with a good moisturizing conditioner. I wrap nightly to keep my hair straight. Like others have said before, the higher temp you use, the less you will have to go over your hair during the week with the iron.

 

[MissM]

Not that I need any kind of confirmation that a higher heat setting does the job better for some, but I don't get this "I'm afraid of heat" thing some people post. I think if your hair is in good condition to begin with and you are only using high heat sporadically then your hair can take it. Just as some can't rollerset properly, some can't flat iron properly. There are several factors to take into consideration that will get a good flat ironed style. Like I said before, you know stylists use high heat, but when you leave the shop your hair is smooth and swingin. What exactly is the big deal?

 

[jerjer29]

250. i never go past 300 (goes to 400)...even my worst new growth can't bare anything over 300. Even with heat protectants on my hair i'm a little overly careful when i straighten. All hair is different, and when you add in variables like heat protectant (products), hair type, what flat iron you're using and so many other things there's no telling what is or isn't damaging your hair. There's so many factors, and some people can straighten like 4 times a month and more, and not see any horrible damage, you'll never know till you try it. But at the first sign of damage you should probably re-evaluate what you're doing wrong. When i first got my straightener i tried different sections, and products i had on different parts of my hair and thats how i determined which setting was best and what product i'd use on my hair when straightening.

 

[bgsix]

Yeah, I'm flat ironing once/wk nowadays. I deep condition with a conditioner that has a balanced amount of moisture and protein each week. I also use more than one product that has heat protection properties in it. Ever since my stylist showed me different way to roller/wrap and flat iron afterwards, I have been hooked.

But if I wash 2x/wk, I only flat iron one of those 2 days. The other day is a braidout or flexirod set.

Do you mind sharing this conditioner's name?

OT: I noticed in your siggy that you use Nairobi, where can that be found?

Sorry for all the questions.

 

[NaturalBeauty87]

I wish I had the option. My Chi has no temp control, so I guess mine is always on the highest. Thats why I try not to use it because my ends don't like it at all!

 

[ladylina]

I set my at 350, but when I am more than 10 weeks post I turn the heat up to 360-375.

 

[Artemis]

Do you mind sharing this conditioner's name? Paul Mitchell Hair Repair

OT: I noticed in your siggy that you use Nairobi, where can that be found? I purchase the foam wrap at a local BSS, but you can order online. Just google "Nairobi Professional".

Sorry for all the questions.

No problem

 

[MadisonK]

Thanks everyone!