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Anyone exclusively flat iron to transition....
- Thread starter Crystal22
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Vshanell
FKA Pokahontas
I did way back in the day before I found hair boards. I didn't have this wealth of info so it was the only way I knew to do it. I had a very smooth transition but I can't say I didn't have heat damage. But that was mostly cuz I didn't know what I was doing. I had a crap flat iron and I think I used grease or oil to flat iron * cringe* but there are much safer and less damaging ways to flat iron which I learned when I came here.
With all the info here there are a number of ways you can successfully transition.
With all the info here there are a number of ways you can successfully transition.
Thanks alot. This thread was very helpful.
Thanks ladies. I have actually been growing out my hair since April 2012. I had a sew in for 8 months and the rest of the time I've gotten it pressed or flat ironed. I have been steadily trimming myself and at the salon. So far so good.
silverbuttons
Not Impressed
I got terrible heat damage trying to flat iron and transition, the front of my hair is much looser, and some parts its just straight.
Napp
In hair purgatory
I flat ironed often but I did not exclusively wear my hair straight. I also did a lot of rollersets. My hair is still super curly. I did get some heat damage when I went to the salon to get a blow out and flat iron. Thankfully I was able to nurse my curls back and my curls are as boingy as ever.
AstroQueen77
Well-Known Member
I would suggest a BKT if you want to flat iron to transition. Makes pressing much easier...you will only need one pass to straighten the hair in most cases. And I'm a 4Z.
Dayjoy
Old School Member
After I got deep into my transition I stopped roller setting and went to the salon for a flat iron once a month. I would make it last for two weeks then cowash and wet bun for the next two weeks before my appointment. I trust my stylist and made sure she understood I did NOT want my curl pattern to be altered. She always used heat protectant and didn't do more than two passes (one to straighten and one to curl) with the iron. And she kept it moving quickly. Now that I'm all natural I see three different curl patterns on my head. The only one I'm questioning is the very front of my hair, the bang area. The curls are so much looser than the sides and back. It doesn't even stand straight up like I wish it would. I'm not sure if this is just a different, third curl pattern or heat damage. It has been four months since I've had a flat iron so I should have a couple of inches of even newer hair and the roots are just a little kinker than the length. I don't suspect heat damage anywhere else on my head and I'm not even sure this part is. I do think I have three legitimate textures, but perhaps not a straight as this part is now.
I typed all this to say that in spite of this, I'm happy I transitioned the way I did and would do it over the same way, BUT it remains to be seen for me if this little part is heat damaged.
I typed all this to say that in spite of this, I'm happy I transitioned the way I did and would do it over the same way, BUT it remains to be seen for me if this little part is heat damaged.
AstroQueen77 don't come in here with no brand suggestions
Spill your deets. I've already harassed Napp enough 
AstroQueen77
Well-Known Member
SuchaLady I love the Chi Enviro Smoothing System...no formaldehyde and works perfectly for my hair which is very thick, dense, and impossible to comb. Still retains my curls...just eradicates the problems of dealing with my hair. I've also noticed a lot of retention from using it. Gained a good 5 inches from just last year alone...and I was very lazy with my hair.
AstroQueen77 How long does one application last? Is your curl loosened when wet? Can you airdry sleekly?
AstroQueen77
Well-Known Member
SuchaLady The trial kit gives me two uses...and you can get it on ebay for about 60 bucks. I do it twice a year. Remember, it won't make your hair straight..its not a press in a box. It will cut down on the bulk and the tangles that naturals have a hard time dealing with. It is still very curly and "afro" like after application. Yes, you can airdry and still have a sleek style.
I have to brush up on my info on the bkt. I know its not permanent but still a chemical form of straightening rite? I know the effects only last so long but wondering if anyone has had breakage from it. Is bkt for naturals only?
Its funny how i started this journey..didnt want to relax when i got pregnant with my son last year but didn't know what I would do with it. I just figured id keep on straightening till I was perm free lol and then it dawned on me that I may actually want to wear my natural texture sometimes or alot actually when its finally all grown out. And it just now hit me that it may be "heat trained" by then and I wont be able to. I see some ladies on you tube who do this purposefully and seem to still retain growth and thickness. However im not trying to do this perse but unfortunately this is the easiest routine for me seeing how im styling challenged and very short on time with a 9 month old...just cant redo my hair every few days...but look forward to learning how do the twists, braidout, etc. Once my natural hair is longer. I know down the road having long natural would be ideal for my everyday life so thats whats keeping me going.
Thanks for reading.
