How much of a difference do you REALLY see by not using heat?

[PuffyBrown]

I have used absolutely NO heat for several weeks (1 to 3 months)
I really don't see that much of a difference...at least I don't think I do...what are some of the differences? What kind of changes are you supposed to see?
If you move from occassional heat to

 

[ImFree27]

less shedding and less splits

 

[Simply_Kelz]

less shedding and less splits

Co-signing. So glad I found rollersetting.

 

[MonPetite]

IF my hair is relaxed...it will not do heat...breakage, breakage, and splits.

If my hair is natural...heat is fine. I'm just scared of it.

If my hair is texlaxed...heat is fine...but a waste of time as it reverts so fast.

In all seriousness though I've been heat free for five years and have no splits and no breakage -unless I tear through my hair. The hairs I loose (that I'm at least aware of when I detangle every day) all have bulbs -shed hairs.

 

[Aggie]

Definitely drastically reduced to none-existent split ends, wayyy less breakage and stronger hair. I do still use heat, but like I usd to pre-LHCF. I might use heat every 8-12 weeks if that, but then I am relaxed so there really is no big need for heat usage on my hair. I have all the hot tools one could possibly have but the honest truth is.....I hate flat ironing and hot curling my hair. I think I'm too lazy for it

 

[charmtreese]

Im not on a totally heat free regimen, I rollerset once a week w/ a bonnet dryer (sometimes twice when I have the time and energy) and I have found that my hair is smoother and holds moisture better then when I was blow drying and air drying.

Both blow drying and air drying left my hair feeling rough, hard and dry regardless of the products or techniques used.

 

[jamaraa]

Absolutely no positive difference. I have a ton of hair that would take forever to dry w/o a blow dryer and air drying doesn't work for me AT ALL.

 

[Nayeli]

My hair is waaaay thicker than it used to be before regular use of heat. Maybe if you give it a bit more time, you'll see the change.

 

[bellecheveux]

My hair isn't brittle or dull anymore like it used to be. And of course, I'm able to retain more growth.

 

[empressri]

No splitting, less shedding, and I don't have to trim as often. I just cut my hair and I think I'll be able to go for about a year with no trimming.

 

[Tee]

Question: How much of a difference do you REALLY see by not using heat?

Answer: From SL to BSL. Yes, I see a LOT of difference.

 

[bluevalentine]

My hair is waaaay thicker than it used to be before regular use of heat. Maybe if you give it a bit more time, you'll see the change.

ITA. the less heat you use over a longer period of time u'll definitely see a difference, at least i did. hair is thicker, longer, stronger....

 

[jamaraa]

OP, I am natural so my hair is ALWAYS thick and MUCH longer than BSL as is....I say this because I think the difference in the answers here are natural vs relaxed, but most people aren't saying what state their hair is. For me, natural. IMHO, naturals have far more leeway w/ heat vs relaxed.

 

[secretdiamond]

Question: How much of a difference do you REALLY see by not using heat?

Answer: From SL to BSL. Yes, I see a LOT of difference.

Never saw your before pics, but just looking at your hair now would be enough for me to stop using heat forever! Love it!

 

[DaDragonPrincess]

It depends on how much you flat iron or hot curl your hair,some people use heat everyday,I was doing that now that I became addicted to flat irons ,but i'm breaking myself from using it so much. I just became addicted to them,so this a good time to break myself, I haven't use heat all week now, My FHI is just sitting,lol.

 

[naturalepiphany]

I used to use direct heat for years after washing I would blow dry and flat iron sometimes without even conditioning and wonder why my hair was so hard and dry. But now that I have been transitioning for eight months and have left the direct heat alone (I only use a heat cap for my DC). I've noticed that my hair is thicker especially my relaxed hair, it almost matches the thickness of my natural hair now. The amount of shedding and breakage have drastically changed. I went from seeing my hair all over the bathroom floor, including broken ends, to only a few strands of shed hair come wash day, which is when I manipulate my hair the most. No heat has saved my hair. But I never noticed the difference until recently it really took a while for me to realize the benefits of not using heat.

 

[Sunshine0801]

Practically no splits, which is why I only have to dust my ends instead of trim them.

 

[gorgeoushair]

I see more splits from airdrying not that I used to use heat(direct) that often. I see nothing wrong with using direct heat every once in a while and I don't see anything wrong with indirect heat at all.

 

[LongiLox]

Less breakage, overall healthier appearance, not dull and limp.

 

[MizzBrown]

Can't tell that much right now but the more it grows out, i expect not to see "see thru" ends like i did when i had SL hair.

That's why i cut it so often cause i couldnt stand my thin ends and would cut it up to the bulk.

 

[Tarae]

Question: How much of a difference do you REALLY see by not using heat?

Answer: From SL to BSL. Yes, I see a LOT of difference.

Same hair. Retention is key. And my hair/ends just look so much better.

 

[SparklingFlame]

I saw A LOT of diiference!!!

I never used heat and I rarely had to trim due to split ends.

I started using my Maxiglide, only 3 times I think, and then the next thing ya know, I started seeing splits.

That was my clue.

 

[PuffyBrown]

Thanks ladies, these are some great responses. i am seeing that difference with my new growth and what I am getting nervous about is, right now I am 10 weeks post relaxer...what if I decide to transition to natural? I cannot see not being able to smooth down these roots with heat so that I wont tug to much on the new growth and the relaxed hair.. Any comments?

Definitely drastically reduced to none-existent split ends, wayyy less breakage and stronger hair. I do still use heat, but like I usd to pre-LHCF. I might use heat every 8-12 weeks if that, but then I am relaxed so there really is no big need for heat usage on my hair. I have all the hot tools one could possibly have but the honest truth is.....I hate flat ironing and hot curling my hair. I think I'm too lazy for it

How often are you trimming. I looked at your hair a couple of weeks ago in your fotki and you hair looks beautiful...just wondering...

Im not on a totally heat free regimen, I rollerset once a week w/ a bonnet dryer (sometimes twice when I have the time and energy) and I have found that my hair is smoother and holds moisture better then when I was blow drying and air drying.

Both blow drying and air drying left my hair feeling rough, hard and dry regardless of the products or techniques used.

I wish I could get into the swing of rollersetting. After two rollersetting challenges I still haven't seemed to get my hair stop feeling so dry after I come from under the bonnet. My rolling technique is good, but I can't figure out what I am doing with the drying part. I can't get that smooth shiny full of body looks, my hair looks dry and I have to apply product.

I saw A LOT of diiference!!!

I never used heat and I rarely had to trim due to split ends.

I started using my Maxiglide, only 3 times I think, and then the next thing ya know, I started seeing splits.

That was my clue.

Your hair is da bom, I love the BT and as a matter of fact used it last night. I rotate that with my MT, I don't really pay much attention to the growth, I just like the way my hair feels when I use it.

 

[lovenharmony]

For me, less dryness, less breakage, less split ends, thicker and smoother hair has resulted from using no heat

 

[TLC1020]

About two weeks ago I've put myself on a mini no heat challenge until October . Hopefully I will see a difference, I usually used heat once a week on wash day now I air dry and don't flat iron. I'm bunning seven days a week so it's not bad at all and I'm 7 weeks post relaxer, so we'll see .

 

[Vshanell]

HUGE difference!!!! You probably won't see it in just a few weeks though. For me not using direct heat means no split or weak ends, thicker hair and so much more length retention! I gained so much length when I stopped using direct heat on a regular basis.

 

[dcprdiva]

I have two things I do... Airdry/flat iron or rollerset.

Every so often, I stop using my flat iron. I find that when I'm stick to rollersets, I have less hair in the shower and on the bathroom floor. My hair retains more moisture and feels stronger.

Right now, I'm trying to get from SL to APL/BSL so I'm laying off the heat. I don't protective style so this is going to be my saving grace!

 

[Starr1]

I saw a huge difference. . . less splits, less shedding, and more moisture.

 

[PinkPebbles]

OP, I am natural so my hair is ALWAYS thick and MUCH longer than BSL as is....I say this because I think the difference in the answers here are natural vs relaxed, but most people aren't saying what state their hair is. For me, natural. IMHO, naturals have far more leeway w/ heat vs relaxed.

ITA! My friends that are natural goes to the salon once or every two weeks for a press & curl. Their hair is healthy BSL. Me on the other hand is relaxed and there is no way my hair can stand all that heat.

I also think it depends on your texture as well (thick or fine strands). My strands are fine so if I was natural my hair still would not be able to take the heat. That's why I have a relaxer to avoid / minimize the heat.

As a relaxed head I saw less splits, no breakage, and able to retain moisture better without the usage of heat.

 

[Hot40]

I started this week when I found this board.
I put away by blow dryer and Flat Iron.
How long befor I shoudl see a differenct on relaxed hair?