Applying heat.... have you acheived most growth by not ...

[Teja]

using any heat??? I have been wondering how often you ladies on this board here flat iron or get blow-outs...
Those of you that did both...did your hair thrive more by using absolutley no heat.... or does heat not really affect your hair..Did not applying any heat make your hair grow faster and stay healthier????

 

[Eisani]

For my hair, it did a LOT better when I didn't use direct heat. I would rollerset if I wanted it straight w/some curls and would blow my roots out every now and then. I think it helped my hair to thicken up again, retain length and stay healthier in general. I know a lot of people seem to do just fine w/heat w/the proper tools, heat protectant, etc which I'm fully capable and aware of how to use but my hair seriously just likes to be left alone to do what it does. Fewer splits too. Now I may straighten every 3+ months, and that's for length checks and to see if I need a trim.

 

[ShiShiPooPoo]

I don't do a lot of direct heat and my hair retains all the length.

When I do use a flatiron it is on damp hair so it stays nice and moist.

 

[Odd One]

Some people have great results even if they use heat. I just started airdrying and keeping the flat iron in the dark corner of my closet lol.

I think its more about lenght retention then hair growing.
less heat = less split ends and dry hair = less breakage = more retention and fuller hair! (thats my personal formula lol)

 

[hillytmj]

I stopped using direct heat in Feb. 2006 and have only used it less than 5 times since. After a while, you learn ways to maintain curls and protect styles without a curling iron. As far as "flat-ironed" looking hair, I agree with the first poster that you can rollerset and wrap your hair to achieve that look without heat.

Have I seen benefits from drastically reducing heat? Yes! I have been a rollersetter for eight years now and I would only use direct heat to "bump" my ends. During the years when I did that, I always needed a trim. When I colored my hair and started flat ironing weekly to get out of the shop fast and boost the color of my highlights, my hair really freaked out, broke off and shed everywhere. No direct heat helped me grow out about 6 inches of hair in 9 months during the time when I first got my hair back healthy.

Overall - No direct heat has been great for me!

 

[DMJ's Mom]

My hair has grown the same using heat or not using heat using a heat protectant or not using a heat protectant. When I was first natural I used heat every week and my hair grew just as healthy as when I didn't use heat for 6 months.

 

[Libra08]

I didn't use heat for an entire year and got excellent growth. I used heat for about 4 or 5 months every two weeks and got nada Heat is definitely a no go for me.

 

[sweetnlow06]

Thanks ladies for the info. Never liked sitting under the dryer but I am going to start doing rollersets for a while. I think I am having to trim more by using the flat iron. I only use them on wash days but that's once a week. I did notice my hair did look a lot healthier when I was getting rollersets. Guess I will suck it up and sit under the dryer. Thanks again for starting this thread.

 

[prospurr4]

It's been over 3 years since I've stopped using direct heat, and my hair is definately healthier. I've also been able to retain more length and thickness since putting down the flatiron and blow dryer.

Instead, I rollerset weekly and then bonnet dry/airdry.

 

[loveable37]

I use HEAT almost every 2 weeks now cuse i am enjoyin my hair i have places to go/peoples too see and rollerset takes to long.

 

[Lovestyr]

i put direct heat on my hair after every relaxer...and i get my relaxer every four months...i dc every week with heat under a dryer...and it works for me..it keeps my hair thick and healthy.

 

[FlawedBeauty]

stopping the use of heat has definitely helped me retain length. i straighten my hair maybe one or twice a month if that. it used to be that i was using heat just about everyday and i tore my hair up!

 

[topnotch1010]

I used to use heat DAILY before I found this board. Needless to say, I have been SL since I cut my hair back in 1997! I have used heat 3 times since December and my proof is in the pics. My hair is definitely flourishing! I have a no heat K.I.S.S. reggie. What works for some may not work for all. No heat for me!

 

[healthytext]

My hair has grown the same using heat or not using heat...

This has been my experience as well though I've always used a heat protectant.

 

[Renewed1]

Direct heat doesn't damage my hair at all. But I've been bunning the last few months, so I only use heat on my bangs.

 

[Firefly]

Not using direct heat has made an incredible difference in the health & length of my hair. I no longer see small broken pieces of hair all over the bathroom.

 

[countrychickd]

stopping the use of heat has definitely helped me retain length. i straighten my hair maybe one or twice a month if that. it used to be that i was using heat just about everyday and i tore my hair up!

I used to be the same way. Now, like you I only do it maybe once or twice a month, and my hair thanks me. Usually I'll rollerset and saran wrap for a straight look, airdry and do bantu knots for some curls, do twist outs for some crimps, etc. Using a heat protectant is something that I never did before either, and now I do, so I think that helps a lot for when I do use heat.

 

[foxieroxienyc]

Heat has no negative effects on my hair's growth and retention. Mostly because I've found what works for me and stick to it. I air dry/flat iron 2x/week.

 

[RavenMaven]

Heat doesn't stunt growth, it stunts retention.

 

[BostonMaria]

I think that rollersetting and drying with indirect heat has made me retain length and made my hair grow. I've tried wash and go's and my hair just doesn't seem to like it. I still do it, but only on the weekends. I rollerset Sundays and it lasts me through the week. Its so much easier to take care of when its dry. I haven't used my Chi flatiron in about 3 weeks and my rollerset hair looks fuller and prettier.

 

[DarkHair]

I've retained health. I rollerset or flatiron with a heat protectant. I alternate between the two every week. I feel great about how my hair looks now versus two years ago.

 

[ThickHair]

I haven't used heat(direct ie curling iron or indirect ie hood dryer) in 11 years. My hair thanks me.

 

[newflowers]

For me, not using heat (flat irons, curling irons, blow dryers) is not about growing my hair; it's about retaining length and keeping my ends thick and healthy and not breaking. I do roller set and deep condition using the heat of a hooded dryer which does help me retain length and helps maintain the condition of my hair overall.

 

[SoCalli]

I stopped using heat in the beginning of my hair journey thinking that I couldn't retain length with it. I finally grew tired of the knots and started using heat again. I, of course, made adjustments to my heat routine. I started using heat in August, and I'm still retaining length. I'd argue that I retain more length that I did when I was natural due to easier detangling and hair manipulation. My ends are a lot healthier. My stylist who cuts my hair even noticed that my ends are healthier.

 

[jetbeauty09]

using any heat??? I have been wondering how often you ladies on this board here flat iron or get blow-outs...
Those of you that did both...did your hair thrive more by using absolutley no heat.... or does heat not really affect your hair..Did not applying any heat make your hair grow faster and stay healthier????

My hair fell out from a combo of things and direct heat was one of the biggest issues:burning:! I have to say that I didn't use a heat protectant whenever I used it but I only believe they protect but so much. For me anyway. I haven't used a flat iron in over 6 months and a blow dryer for about 2-3 months (only to get braids and now I know thats not necessary). My hair doesn't do good with direct heat and even when I want to wear it straight, I will use a heat protectant and only use direct heat sparingly.

 

[brucebettye]

I stop using direct heat for about 2 years and I retain most of my length. I so happy that I can style my hair without heat!!!!