Any Relaxed Heat Stylers w/ Healthy Hair??

[MizaniMami]

Hey Ladies,
Are there any of you out there that heat style on a regular basis ( more then 3 times a month) with relatively healthy hair? What i mean by heat styling is blowdrying, flat ironing, or using the curling iron.
I am not into protective styling or any of that, but it seems that the common thought on this board is that the only way (or preferable way) to gain and retain length is by doing protective styling. I don't want to give up heat right now, so I wanted to hear some inspiration from other fellow heat stylers.

My opinion about heat is that it (depending on the care that the person using it provides the hair with) doesn't really interfere with length. :scratchch On another board that I go to (thats pred. white) most of them flat iron or blowdry their hair every day with what I like to call desirable length (BSL, APL, WL). I don't really see them doing protective styling and such either. I know white people and black people have different hair care needs, but (in my opinion)when its all said and done hair is the same, dead keratin. Okay off with my ramble.

Heat styling ladies, where u at? Has heat interfered with your growth/health? Where do you think your hair would be WITHOUT heat?

 

[Miss*Tress]

Relaxing is the most damaging chemical process you can do to your hair - more so than coloring or perming - which is why it's best for relaxed heads to avoid heat styling.

Have you tried wet setting? You can then pin curl to maintain the style throughout the week.

On other note, if you go to the Long Hair Community forum, most of the women there, who are white, do not blow dry their hair. They even call it "blow frying".

 

[MizaniMami]

Relaxing is the most damaging chemical process you can do to your hair - more so than coloring or perming - which is why it's best for relaxed heads to avoid heat styling.

Have you tried wet setting? You can then pin curl to maintain the style throughout the week.

On other note, if you go to the Long Hair Community forum, most of the women there, who are white, do not blow dry their hair. They even call it "blow frying".

Thanks for the info, but I have decided that I prefer to relax. Also, I created this post to get some feedback from other heat stylers, not for style options. I am very comfortable with the way I style. But once again, thanks

 

[BobbieDoll]

Well I have heard about heat can be damaging as well but I think it varies from person to person. I go the the dominican salon just about every week and I would say my hair is healhy. I think it's one of those things that if it works for you then it works, if not then it just doesn't. JMO.

 

[WomanlyCharm]

My hair is quite healthy and growing very well.
I wash/rinse my hair at least twice a week, and most times I do blowdry, but on the cool or warm setting.

It may take longer to dry, but it's less harsh on my hair and it looks so much better than airdrying, which leaves me looking like a brillo pad no matter what I do!

I usually have my hair in a bun 4 or 5 days a week, but I'll flatiron (low setting) maybe once every two weeks, tops...usually I use the caruso if my hair is going to be loose. The added moisture from that really helps my hair as well.

So in conclusion...I use minimal heat, and my hair is doing just fine. I think using too much heat on hari that's already dry or in bad condition is what causes so much damage and breakage.

 

[nychaelasymone]

my hair is healthy and I my heat useage varries weekly. Some weeks I only use heat once, some weeks I may use heat 3x's....but I just make sure I protect my ends and use a good protectent (although, I know it's only so much a heat protectant can do)

 

[Supergirl]

Hey Ladies,
Are there any of you out there that heat style on a regular basis ( more then 3 times a month) with relatively healthy hair? What i mean by heat styling is blowdrying, flat ironing, or using the curling iron.
I am not into protective styling or any of that, but it seems that the common thought on this board is that the only way (or preferable way) to gain and retain length is by doing protective styling. I don't want to give up heat right now, so I wanted to hear some inspiration from other fellow heat stylers.

My opinion about heat is that it (depending on the care that the person using it provides the hair with) doesn't really interfere with length. :scratchch On another board that I go to (thats pred. white) most of them flat iron or blowdry their hair every day with what I like to call desirable length (BSL, APL, WL). I don't really see them doing protective styling and such either. I know white people and black people have different hair care needs, but (in my opinion)when its all said and done hair is the same, dead keratin. Okay off with my ramble.

Heat styling ladies, where u at? Has heat interfered with your growth/health? Where do you think your hair would be WITHOUT heat?

I understand what you are trying to find out. To get to this exact info. (and I'm curious also) it would be good to ask relaxed heads how often they heat style, with which particular appliances, and how long their hair is. What do you think? I think this would give you a great measure of the information you're seeking.

 

[HoneyDew]

My hair is healthy. I have never had a problem with damaged hair or excessive breakage or anything like that.

I use a blowdryer and flatiron everytime I shampoo, which is about twice a week.

I have to use a lot of heat protectant, though.

 

[Candy_C]

i'm 4 inches past armpit length, and i can use the blowdryer and/or the flat iron (usually the dryer gets its pretty straight) every 3 weeks and still retain healthy growth...i get a few splits (usually at the front) after blowdrying but i just sni pthem as i see them...

BUT i thought i'd add: i haven't used any form of heat for nearly three months now and my hairs never grown this fast in my life!!

 

[CreoleInDC]

I have to say that prior to starting this particular journey I had weekly maintenance which included hooded dryer then blow dryer, then flat iron and my hair was always very healthy. At night when I combed out my hair to wrap, I would notice breakage and it makes sense that the breakage was because my ends were sooooooooo dried out from the heat even though I didn't use the flatiron or curling iron between washes.

I've been thinking lately about relaxed hair and heat and I was wondering if I could do it making sure that I loaded it up with moisturizers especially on my ends. It's like...yeah...the heat will cause it to dry and thus cause breakage...but there has got to be SOMETHING that would protect the hair. Shouldn't there be? *sigh* But alas...when I feel my hair has enough moisture to "protect" it...the end result is kinda "greezy" and I didn't like that look at all.

I think I'm going to do the protective styling (with occassional flat ironing for events) until I get it to APL and then I'm going to go back to my flat iron routine as I really like the way my hair looks down. I'm really struggling with the matronly bun. NO...I MEAN REALLY! *sigh*

 

[HoneyDew]

Although I use heat, I know I will have to decrease it as I strive for longer lengths.

I just started seriously trying to grow my hair out only a few months ago. I cut my hair really short last May and I have made great growth progress so far, even with heat. Actually heat has helped me!!!

But, I don't know if I can keep it up as I try to make it past shoulder length.

And I am like you, CreoleInDC, I struggle with the bunned look.

 

[simplycee]

I feel ya MizaniMami.

For me weekly heat did not hurt my hair but my progress was much slower. I would wash faithfully once a week, deep con, blow dry on low, wrap and then flat iron the next day. I had splits and needed to trim on a more regular basis. I often saw hair (breakage) on the sink and floor.

I did my own experiment and I found that my hair can take one type of direct heat style a little better. If I used the blow dryer than I used the steam rollers for curls instead of the flat iron/curling iron. If I wanted the straight look I began doing a wet wrap and dried under a hooded dryer and flat iron the next day. I still saw breakage but not as much.

When I limited my direct heat to once every 6 to 8 weeks I hardly saw any breakage. Once I started doing my own roller set/wrap my hair made noticeable progress.

I would suggest if you MUST use direct heat choose one or the other (blow dryer or flat iron) and limit yourself to once a week.

The trick of course to retain your ends. And we know that our ends dry out quicker. I have to admit protective styling, even if for part of the month or week and no direct heat helped me get to my goal quicker.

HTH

 

[Miss*Tress]

Thanks for the info, but I have decided that I prefer to relax. Also, I created this post to get some feedback from other heat stylers, not for style options. I am very comfortable with the way I style. But once again, thanks

There was no suggestion on my part that you stop relaxing; after all, I'm relaxed too. I was explaining why heat is considered so damaging to relaxed hair as opposed to other types of processes.

I used to use the curling iron 2-3 times a week and it was too damaging for my hair. I never really made it past APL until I stopped...the heat that is. I'm also curious to know how much heat one can use on relaxed hair and reach waist length.

 

[OneInAMillion]

Hi MizaniMami,

I texturize and use heat every week to blow my roots straight after rollersetting. When fully relaxed, I would blowdry the length to get my hair straight. My hair was healthy, but thinner as I look at old pictures. When I had color on my fully relaxed head and I used heat, there was a great deal of breakage.

Currently, I only texturize, so my hair is still relatively thick. I also only blowdry my roots. My hair is the thickest and healthiest it has every been. Even though I had no problem and pretty quick growth while blowdrying straight, I've had the best results with a rollerset and only using heat on the roots.

So in sum, I had healthy hair with a lot of heat, but thicker healthy hair when reducing the amount of heat.

HTH!

 

[MizaniMami]

I have to say that prior to starting this particular journey I had weekly maintenance which included hooded dryer then blow dryer, then flat iron and my hair was always very healthy. At night when I combed out my hair to wrap, I would notice breakage and it makes sense that the breakage was because my ends were sooooooooo dried out from the heat even though I didn't use the flatiron or curling iron between washes.

I've been thinking lately about relaxed hair and heat and I was wondering if I could do it making sure that I loaded it up with moisturizers especially on my ends. It's like...yeah...the heat will cause it to dry and thus cause breakage...but there has got to be SOMETHING that would protect the hair. Shouldn't there be? *sigh* But alas...when I feel my hair has enough moisture to "protect" it...the end result is kinda "greezy" and I didn't like that look at all.

I think I'm going to do the protective styling (with occassional flat ironing for events) until I get it to APL and then I'm going to go back to my flat iron routine as I really like the way my hair looks down. I'm really struggling with the matronly bun. NO...I MEAN REALLY! *sigh*

So you are currently bunning? I am not gonna lie. I don't like buns AT ALL. How long have you bunned? And also how long have you planned to bun?


Also, thanks all ladies that replied. I use heat ( i blow dry then i flat iron) No more than once a week. I also do 2 DC with heat every wash, pre-poo, and use heat protectants. Though my hair isn't damaged I was wondering if anyone had experiences with growing longer hair with the use of heat.

I am hoping that there is a way around bunning to gain longer length.

 

[MizaniMami]

I feel ya MizaniMami.

For me weekly heat did not hurt my hair but my progress was much slower. I would wash faithfully once a week, deep con, blow dry on low, wrap and then flat iron the next day. I had splits and needed to trim on a more regular basis. I often saw hair (breakage) on the sink and floor.

I did my own experiment and I found that my hair can take one type of direct heat style a little better. If I used the blow dryer than I used the steam rollers for curls instead of the flat iron/curling iron. If I wanted the straight look I began doing a wet wrap and dried under a hooded dryer and flat iron the next day. I still saw breakage but not as much.

When I limited my direct heat to once every 6 to 8 weeks I hardly saw any breakage. Once I started doing my own roller set/wrap my hair made noticeable progress.

I would suggest if you MUST use direct heat choose one or the other (blow dryer or flat iron) and limit yourself to once a week.

The trick of course to retain your ends. And we know that our ends dry out quicker. I have to admit protective styling, even if for part of the month or week and no direct heat helped me get to my goal quicker.

HTH

I am about 4 inches away from BSL. I want to be BSL so bad I can taste it, but it is like my hair is at a stand still. I am trying to get around bunning but I think that's what I am going to have to do.

How long do you think I should bun 2-3mos? Longer or shorter? Any advice or suggestions are appreciated!

 

[peacelove]

what about twist or braidouts?

 

[Sistaslick]

There are lots of people who don't bun to grow their hair out but at the same time, many of them also cut back on the heat or other areas to balance it out (coloring/relaxing). Most times there is some sort of trade off. I am striving for maximum results so I am a 90% bunner with once a month heat, if that. I am hoping to reach waistlength (or extremely close to it ) by the end of the year with my trims to even my layers.

Heat aggravates the moisture balance in your hair and stresses the ends-- even with the best heat protectants and serums. You can usually tell those who heat style regularly (2 times/week) because their hair is often thinner/shorter than moderate heat users.

It is not impossible to grow your hair out with moderate heat styling (once per week), but from what I've seen, even moderate heat styling can take its toll. If you are using more than one heat device/source each session (blowdry and flatiron/curling iron)- your odds of damage increase dramatically. In my opinion, relaxed hair does not thrive well on this type of regimen, particularly relaxed hair that you are trying to grow. From what I've seen IRL and on the boards, the exceptions are rare.

If you still plan to grow it out on a moderate heat regimen, you should prepare to give yourself a little longer to reach goals. If you are looking to grow past BSL- weekly heat may work against you and make it harder. However, if you are trying to maintain a certain length, then you could easily do it on this type of regimen provided you are caring for your hair in other areas.

 

[Supergirl]

MM,

I definitely think you can get to longer lengths without bunning, but chances are you will have to cut back on the heat to achieve those longer lengths.

 

[simplycee]

MizaniMami start off slow. Wear your hair out 1 week and then use a claw clip to clip it up at the next week. Or how about a pretty updo. Not really a bun but the ends are protected, right?

Or maybe you can rollerset and do away with the blow dryer and flat iron. It may take a little longer to dry and style but will be easier on your hair.
I know what you mean about your progress being at a stand still. When I feel that way I baby my ends until I see something.

 

[macherieamour]

I dunno- I use heat every four days on my hair and I would consider my hair healthy....

I think it has to do with the way heat is used. Back in the day, I would get my hair blowdried at my Dominican shop and notice all this breakage after a few days. My hair was thin and dull. I figured the blow dryer was too hot.

Recently, Ive been getting my hair blowdried at another salon and I have no breakage. My hair looks healthy and shiny.

I realized that it was the way it was being styled. At my old salon, they would use it on super high, place the dryer directly on my hair, and spend 10 minutes on each section. My scalp would be sore as they constantly burned my scalp.

At my new salon, he takes the hair and gently dries it. The blow dryer is pointed downwards (making the hair super smooth and shiny) and he gently works the heat down. He spent less time on the section. It felt like kittens purring on my scalp. No tugging or pulling.

Honestly, I dont think blowdrying is all that bad. I think its fine but theres def a science to it. Im not a professional but I think its all about direction of the dryer, distance from the hair, the correct type and usage of the brush and minimal tension.

 

[Sistaslick]

macherie, you go to the salon every 4 days? or are you just saying you use heat at home every 4 days? What heating devices? Is it a blowdry +flatiron? Hooded dryer? Just trying to see how you are using it within your regimen.

 

[pyxis777]

Macherieamour,

What salon do you go to? Have you found someone in Philly?

I would agree that it must depend on the appliances used and the way heat is applied. I have not yet found a stylist or salon that knows how to use heat, beyond sticking someone under a dryer.

Thank god I found this site before I decided to relax again. My hair is still recovering from the damage done by the marcell irons before I relaxed.

 

[MizaniMami]

macherie, you go to the salon every 4 days? or are you just saying you use heat at home every 4 days? What heating devices? Is it a blowdry +flatiron? Hooded dryer? Just trying to see how you are using it within your regimen.

Thanks sistaslick, I was just going to ask those exact questions

 

[macherieamour]

Man, I wish I could go to the salon everyday Id be broke for days....

Ok so this is what I do. I wash my hair every four days because a) I work out 5x a week and b) I read that conditioner only works for four days c) i like a clean scalp.

I use heat in some form every 4 days. I blowdry and flat iron on Wednesday and rollerset and wrap on Sunday. I wear my hair down everyday and trim any split ends I see daily.

If I have some spare cash, I go to Toppers Spa and Salon on 19th (between walnut and chestnut) to see Albert. He has a lot of black clients and blow dries sooo gently. I dont go often because I dotn like his "wash" girl ( she doesnt wash like I do) and its a little on the pricey side. Its prob like 50 for a blowout.

I think heat styling is like working out. If you go to the gym and do the same thing ( like running) everyday, you will lose a ton of weight but after a while you might wear down your muscles and joints.

If you go to the gym and alternate your work outs you get the maximum results. Like, the day you work out your arms, your legs get to rest.

I do not have abnormally strong hair either. If I blowdry every time I do my hair, I will thin it out. If I rollerset every four days for months, my hair starts getting weak around the area that supports the weight of the roller. I couldnt freakin win

So by alternating, I try to prevent my hair from getting used to one method. Im super gentle with both. Im sooo anal. I like lay the hair gently on the roller or super lightly blowdry my hair, hahhaha. My bf will walk in and be like, Also, when i rollerset, I had to teach myself different ways to set hair so it doesnt get used to the same ole two step. Rolling up, down, sideways, zig zag, lol. It seems to be working well

 

[ibm girl]

I just can't get off the heat, no matter how I try. I need a Heat-Abusers Anonymous or something. Thanks to what I've learned on the board,I have started limiting it, though. I used to blow dry after every wash and use a flat iron. As I got closer to retouch time, I might use the flat iron four times a week. If I had a fresh relaxer I'd try to wrap it, but that would only take me to week two or three. Now I'm trying to roller set and run a quick flat iron through afterwards since I haven't mastered that skill yet. I'm trying really hared *twitch* to avoid the flat iron on any other day, but as I've heard from 12-step programs, I have to take it one day at a time. Just got a touch up after a 14 week...we'll see how I do!

Off topic ...MCA your hair is FABULOUS. Truly. I was just telling my sisters and mother about this site so they can be inspired by beautiful heads of hair just like yours. I know I sounded like I joined a cult, but I love all the info I'm getting on healthy hair! Thanks to all!

 

[Sistaslick]

interesting! Okay macherie, sorry about all the questions-- just trying to pick your brain a little. Now I noticed in your album-- your hair seems to have always been pretty long in the first place-- like from day 1 Obviously the heat hasn't affected you maintaining the length you already have-- your hair is just beautiful! and slammin' girl!

So now I am curious. Did you ever go from short (chin/shoulder) to long (BSL/waist)on this kind of regimen? I know for me, I could keep the length I already had using heat like that but as far as picking up extra length... it wasn't happening So for me, I am biased about lots of heat use in a growing regimen. Thanks!

 

[kking7777]

Yes I agree with the last 2 posts... U have to switch up and limit heat but u can still use it. For example I go one week conditoner washes and daily rinsing and then the next week 1x wash/ blowdry/ flat iron, nightly wrapping and my hair is still growing pretty good... I am sure if I cut out heat altogether it would grow faster.. but I am fine with the current growth rate.

 

[amy1234]

Heat styling ladies, where u at? Has heat interfered with your growth/health? Where do you think your hair would be WITHOUT heat?
For me, I prefer to use heat (weekly or bi-weekly) to look presentable on a daily basis, of course it's possible, I don't think that heat has interfered with my growth progress, I did have a coloring mishap when I decided to relax after going natural on top of colored hair (huge mistake), but that was my only real problem. I don't think it would be easy to grow your hair out with hair that is chemically processed , colored and with use of heat. I think my hair would grow to the same length that it is now had I never used heat.

 

[macherieamour]

interesting! Okay macherie, sorry about all the questions-- just trying to pick your brain a little. Now I noticed in your album-- your hair seems to have always been pretty long in the first place-- like from day 1 Obviously the heat hasn't affected you maintaining the length you already have-- your hair is just beautiful! and slammin' girl!

So now I am curious. Did you ever go from short (chin/shoulder) to long (BSL/waist)on this kind of regimen? I know for me, I could keep the length I already had using heat like that but as far as picking up extra length... it wasn't happening So for me, I am biased about lots of heat use in a growing regimen. Thanks!

No problem gurl I had to go back and look at the baby pics, haha. I got a relaxer at eleven. But even then, i was blowdrying and curling every 5 or 6days (well, my mom was) and my hair still grew to my shoulders. It was healthy at the beginning of high school and then i started not taking very good care of it. My mom stopped doing my hair ( this is so embarassing, haha) and I stopped conditioning, washing it every two weeks and curling it with the curling iron ( on high, without product) every single day.

Needless to say, it started splitting, never grew past my shoulders and was super brittle. At college, I stopped blowdrying and just roller set it. This worked really well for years. My hair went from shoulders to bra strap and thickened up significantly.

However, now im seeing my hair start to fight back from rollersetting. Hence, I decided to try something different again.

In all, Im still trying to figure it all out. Trying to read my hair and respond to what it needs. I thought heat was the culprit but Im trying to find out if its perhaps the way Im using it that makes the difference.

We'll see tho. Ive been alternating methods and trying to be super gentle so well see how it turns out