Would 2 xs a week be too much?

[tri3nity]

Ok I know I'm probably going to get yelled at. :Blush2: But I used heat for the first time last week and my hair came out really nice for 8 weeks post. I posted earlier today on how I haven't had to moisturize at all since last Friday when I did. But I usually do a mid-week wash as well. Would twice a week flat ironning be pushing it. I promise to use a heat protectant. Promise!

 

[amwcah]

Yes, dear!! Your hair may seem like it can take the heat right now, but eventually over time it will begin to break. Unfortunately, I had to find this out the hard way myself.

 

[shasha8685]

I believe that the more heat you use, the more you have to compensate elsewhere.

When I first cut my hair, I had to use heat every day. To compensate, I washed and DCed (alternating moisture and protein of course) at least 2x a week. Sometimes I DCed 3 or 4 times a week. I also made sure to use heat protectant every single time. I saw no adverse effects. Very minimal breakage and my hair was nice and moisturized.

The point is, if you're gonna use more heat, be prepared to tweak your reggie a bit.

 

[tri3nity]

I believe that the more heat you use, the more you have to compensate elsewhere.

When I first cut my hair, I had to use heat every day. To compensate, I washed and DCed (alternating moisture and protein of course) at least 2x a week. Sometimes I DCed 3 or 4 times a week. I also made sure to use heat protectant every single time. I saw no adverse effects. Very minimal breakage and my hair was nice and moisturized.

The point is, if you're gonna use more heat, be prepared to tweak your reggie a bit.

So, If I only use heat the 2 times that I deep condition and be sure to use a leave-in and heat protectant I should be ok. I will definitely take care to pay attention to my ends to make sure I'm not causing any damage.

 

[AllAboutMoi]

I know that everyones hair is different but that is a bit much. I know that my hair couldn't take that. Are you blow drying or air drying?

 

[tri3nity]

I know that everyones hair is different but that is a bit much. I know that my hair couldn't take that. Are you blow drying or air drying?

Air drying on the weekends and blow drying on the weekends.

 

[sheba1]

Hey there, Tr3nity

I think the hardest thing about really getting into this hair game is giving up the notion that our hair has to look "nice" all the time. I could be wrong, but it seems that those that really excel are those that find a regular way to keep their hair that doesn't cause damage and then break out the "nice hair" on special occasions.

Even Sylver, who has relaxed hair and doesn't need to PS to maintain her lovely locks, still will do long stretches and avoid heat with braid outs and such to allow her hair to thrive.

You could try the heat; but I say keep looking until you find ways to feel comfortable with a certain look while growing your hair out. And then your reward will be to rock your long healthy hair when you're at a maintenance stage.

I was getting some flack at work about my bun (I like to cowash a lot). But then when I walked in with my hair showing obvious growth since my last straightening, I didn't hear no flack... none at all.

 

[hillytmj]

I believe that the more heat you use, the more you have to compensate elsewhere.

When I first cut my hair, I had to use heat every day. To compensate, I washed and DCed (alternating moisture and protein of course) at least 2x a week. Sometimes I DCed 3 or 4 times a week. I also made sure to use heat protectant every single time. I saw no adverse effects. Very minimal breakage and my hair was nice and moisturized.

The point is, if you're gonna use more heat, be prepared to tweak your reggie a bit.

ITA...this is a great response to the OP's question. I don't use direct heat very often, but on the rare occassion that I do, I make sure to do a thorough protein and DC treatment on the next wash day. I also try to manipulate my hair less when it's been treated with direct heat.

IDK about using heat twice weekly. In my experience, less direct heat has been better for my hair.

 

[tri3nity]

You know Sheba, you're right. I wore twist outs for a couple of weeks and couldn't stand it. I have always been given compliments on my hair all of my life. Even as a child the bus driver called me a black china doll. My hair has always been healthy, just couldn't get it to grow past apl. I would like to reach bsl. That is my final goal. Any more hair than that would just be to much to deal with to me. I've never been a weave wearer and I rocked wigs for a couple of months a few years ago. Tired of that real quick. All I know is to flat iron and wrap. Bounce! I guess I could try the bun, but I know that I will eventually tire of that as well.

 

[hillytmj]

Hey there, Tr3nity

I think the hardest thing about really getting into this hair game is giving up the notion that our hair has to look "nice" all the time. I could be wrong, but it seems that those that really excel are those that find a regular way to keep their hair that doesn't cause damage and then break out the "nice hair" on special occasions.

Even Sylver, who has relaxed hair and doesn't need to PS to maintain her lovely locks, still will do long stretches and avoid heat with braid outs and such to allow her hair to thrive.

You could try the heat; but I say keep looking until you find ways to feel comfortable with a certain look while growing your hair out. And then your reward will be to rock your long healthy hair when you're at a maintenance stage.

I was getting some flack at work about my bun (I like to cowash a lot). But then when I walked in with my hair showing obvious growth since my last straightening, I didn't hear no flack... none at all.

OMG, I love your response too! I battle with this constantly when it comes to my family. They criticize me for not combing my hair down to the new growth every day with a rat-tail comb so it "lays down good". They also can't understand why I don't get a flat-iron style every week at the beauty shop.

ITA with you; I consider my long hair to be a special accessory that I can flaunt when I want to. For example, I have some clothes that I save for special occasions. I don't wear them everyday, but when I want to flaunt them, I have them available. That's how I feel about my hair too. Most days of the week my hair is pulled back in a pony or in a bun, but it's ON if I go out, lol. I guess have more time and patience to style it when I'm off the clock.

 

[hillytmj]

Bumping...bumping...

 

[Mz.Shug]

This is coming from a person who's hair loves heat. Too much. It may seem okay in the begining but OVER TIME the damage that heat causes may set you back. And the whole goal is health = length.Remember hair is dead and it needs cosmetic surgery (ie;DC,moisture and protein) to maintain it's look and vitality. If you put too much heat on it (like anything else) it saps it's moisture and any other goodies it's packing and it breaks.

Instead try going one week on (heat) one week off (protective styles ie braid out,french roll,banana clip,twists/out,half wigs,etc.)Before you start study proper heat usage.Pinkskates has awesome tutorials on how to use heat properly w/o damaging your hair.I pray this helps you.

 

[hillytmj]

This is coming from a person who's hair loves heat. Too much. It may seem okay in the begining but OVER TIME the damage that heat causes may set you back. And the whole goal is health = length.Remember hair is dead and it needs cosmetic surgery (ie;DC,moisture and protein) to maintain it's look and vitality. If you put too much heat on it (like anything else) it saps it's moisture and any other goodies it's packing and it breaks.

Instead try going one week on (heat) one week off (protective styles ie braid out,french roll,banana clip,twists/out,half wigs,etc.)Before you start study proper heat usage.Pinkskates has awesome tutorials on how to use heat properly w/o damaging your hair.I pray this helps you.

Great points. I also love the plastic surgery analogy.

 

[goodmorningruby]

<cropped>

I think the hardest thing about really getting into this hair game is giving up the notion that our hair has to look "nice" all the time. I could be wrong, but it seems that those that really excel are those that find a regular way to keep their hair that doesn't cause damage and then break out the "nice hair" on special occasions.

<cropped>

This! My hair is always up and off my shoulders. Yes, it's protective for my ends but even before I realized retaining length meant protecting the ends, I would put my hair up just because I can't stand to wear it down. My hair thrives this way. It may not always look 100% on point (especially deep into stretches) but my hair thrives on protective styles. Nobody truly knows how long my hair actually is, but it stays healthy and it retains length. I do the same styles (that are very little to no maintainence, are protective and do not cause damage) over and over again and it's the best thing I am doing for my hair, period. It can get a little boring sometimes and occasionally I will change it up (thanks to hair pins and bobby pins!), but to me the end reward is so worth it.

I very rarely use heat. For my hair, it's very fine, dense, but very fine and I know that my hair can't take heat two times a week whether the heat usage is weekly or 6 months apart. I can tell a major difference in the health of my hair in between heat usage especially if I go a really long time in between. For example, I flat ironed my hair about 2 or 3 weeks ago and I had noticeably retained length since my last flat iron (like 3-4 months prior), and it was bangin'.

However, some hair can take that 2x/week heat. I would not personally encourage it, but if you are taking all of the precautions and you don't make it a habit then you should be fine. Just make sure that prior to, during, and after you use heat that you are babying your hair. Moderation is key.

 

[tri3nity]

Thank you ladies for all of your advice. And while I am 8 weeks post now. I will be going the once a week flat iron on a low setting with a heat protectant. I also add silk aminos to my deep conditioning so I'm hoping that it doesnt set me back. I baggy when I get home from work, then I wrap it, put it up in a little clip and spraying it with profectiv oil sheen, which is very nourishing. I will just have to pay very close to my ends. I also have a wonderful stylist and before I joined LHCF she taught me that I didn't have to get my ends trimmed with every relaxer. She will help me pay attention to my ends and let me know what's what when I go in for my relaxer on week 10. I'm not going to be making it to week 12. No way!!

 

[NikkiGirl]

It really sounds like too much to me. The thing about the flatiron is it is addicting. I know that sounds wierd, but you will think it needs a touchup on the days you shouldn't and may sabotage your long-term goals.

 

[sharifeh]

I think you should eliminate your mid week wash and do it only once a week and I think you should set aside time to experiment with other styles so you can eventually work your way up to having no dependency on the flat iron. You want to to be able to pull out the flat iron when you want to, not be dependent on it regularly for a nice style. There are a bunch of styles you could try.

 

[tri3nity]

I think you should eliminate your mid week wash and do it only once a week and I think you should set aside time to experiment with other styles so you can eventually work your way up to having no dependency on the flat iron. You want to to be able to pull out the flat iron when you want to, not be dependent on it regularly for a nice style. There are a bunch of styles you could try.

That's what I've done is gotten rid of the midweek wash. I can't stand all of this new growth though. I know that my hair is growing good cause I've never had this "big hair" at 8 weeks post. I've always permed at this time. I don't think I can make it to 12. I'm going either next week or at 10. I look like a wooly mammoth!

 

[30something]

You can Wash/DC/Blowdry/Flat Iron once a week, and mid Wash or Co wash, DC if you want, and do a braid out or some kind of style like that. Thats what I'd was doing at some point, well not the mid week wash.

 

[gissellr78]

IMO is way too much. over time your hair will start to dry out and break and get thin...Did i scare you enough

Once a week is good don't push it

HHG

 

[freshlikemoi]

Hey there, Tr3nity

I think the hardest thing about really getting into this hair game is giving up the notion that our hair has to look "nice" all the time. I could be wrong, but it seems that those that really excel are those that find a regular way to keep their hair that doesn't cause damage and then break out the "nice hair" on special occasions.

Even Sylver, who has relaxed hair and doesn't need to PS to maintain her lovely locks, still will do long stretches and avoid heat with braid outs and such to allow her hair to thrive.

You could try the heat; but I say keep looking until you find ways to feel comfortable with a certain look while growing your hair out. And then your reward will be to rock your long healthy hair when you're at a maintenance stage.

I was getting some flack at work about my bun (I like to cowash a lot). But then when I walked in with my hair showing obvious growth since my last straightening, I didn't hear no flack... none at all.

You're absolutely right!!! I've been on this hair journey for years. And it took a year of me not seeing the results that I wanted to stop and say "Hey, my hair doesn't have to be fresh to death all the time". Thanks for the reminder.

 

[tri3nity]

Nikkigirl & gissellr78!!! You ladies have beautiful hair. I need to do some trial and error with some roller sets. Bought some and just keep looking at them. I've never been good at doing my own hair. Just learned how to flat iron it myself about a year ago. I'm going to try them this weekend. I really want to make it to twelve weeks post. I'm afraid its going to do more damage than good. I've heard that if you stretch too long your hair will start breaking. I baggy everyday as soon as I get home. I hope that helps