Am I being overly paranoid about heat?

[Energee]

I've asked a similar question before...lol. I am so tempted to use heat on my hair...at least the roots at this point. I have sworn off heat--except for Pibbs dryer and I only do low to med heat under that. No direct heat all. I'd really just like to hit my roots with a flatiron though. I have an event to attend this afternoon/early evening...a church event we were invited to... and also am going out of town on tomorrow. My hair looks great overall but I'd like for it to look better and I don't want to do a protective style tonight or for my business trip really.

I've read that some people use heat successfully on occasion and that this is okay for the hair?

For ladies who sometimes use heat. What temp do you use on your flatiron? I have a Solia Pink and a Hai Copper Tourmaline iron. They both get really hot. I used to use them when I had a weave in and I used to put it on one of the highest settings but would NOT want to do that with my own hair. I do not have time to go get a blowout or anything like that because I fly out early tomorrow so I'll have to use my flatiron.

Thanks!

 

[glamazon386]

As long as the iron isn't too hot you'll be alright. And use a heat protectant. People only have problems with damage from heat when they're using a too hot iron incorrectly (like on dirty hair for instance) and too frequently.

 

[Energee]

Thanks bmoreflyygirl. What temp would you suggest? My roots aren't really bad at all. I just want them to be straigter. I'm a 4a/b. Both of my irons get up to 400+. Should I stay somewhere between 2-300? Is that safe or can I go higher? Oh and I would never dream of using it without a heat protectant and I just washed yesterday so it's clean.

 

[Energee]

I found some info while searching the board. Thanks again!

 

[glamazon386]

Thanks bmoreflyygirl. What temp would you suggest? My roots aren't really bad at all. I just want them to be straigter. I'm a 4a/b. Both of my irons get up to 400+. Should I stay somewhere between 2-300? Is that safe or can I go higher? Oh and I would never dream of using it without a heat protectant and I just washed yesterday so it's clean.

I really have no clue on the temperature though since I don't flat iron my own hair. And my iron just has 1 - 15 it doesn't break it down in degrees. You might want to wait for some other ladies to chime in about the degrees. Everybody's hair is going to be different but they might be able to give you a good range to keep the iron in. As long as the iron isn't smoking and you're not smelling smoke it's okay. And I've heard that if you test the iron out on paper and it turns brown, it's too hot.

 

[Artemis]

Thanks bmoreflyygirl. What temp would you suggest? My roots aren't really bad at all. I just want them to be straigter. I'm a 4a/b. Both of my irons get up to 400+. Should I stay somewhere between 2-300? Is that safe or can I go higher? Oh and I would never dream of using it without a heat protectant and I just washed yesterday so it's clean.

If you get the results you want at 300 [or lower], then stay at that temp. Worse case scenario, you make 2 passes on the hair w/the iron. I have the Solia as well, and I never go above 340, and that's waayyyyyy deep into a relaxer stretch and I only go over it once. Most of the time I am in the 270-280 range. I agree w/bmore, use a heat protectant. Heat damage occurs due to lack of technique (using too high temps/frequency of same) and preparation(not using protective products), not due to the appliance.

 

[Energee]

Thanks for being so helpful Artemis and Bmore!

 

[locfreeme]

I use the Solia on 300, even on new growth. If I go over 325, I start seeing smoke and smelling burning. 300 glides right through, no smoke or scorching.

 

[LiLi]

I don't have anything to add but your hair looks sooooo beautiful Energee!!; and it is growing nicely.

 

[sweetcashew]

I use heat all the time. You just can't use it on the highest settings. Try to flat iron your hair on a medium setting and gradually go down to the lowest. If you flat iron on a really low setting but in tiny sections you'll get the same results as if you flat iron on high.
You shouldn't be terrified of heat, but you shouldn't abuse it either.