Flat iron Vs Pressing?

[michaela]

My friend she is natural. She usually gets her hair washed, Sit under Hot Dryer, Blow Dried with attach Comb on high, than pressed with a marcel pressing comb with Blue Magic grease after it would get a run of the regular pressing comb....One day she decided to go to jc pennys to get her hair Flat iron. The Lady washed and Blow Dryed with a Regular dryer.
She used a Fine tooth comb (chase method) than flat iron with a heat protector and oil sheen. She said it sizzled. She used a Black chi. Is the flat iron suppose to sizzle?
And which process do you think is better the Press or Flat iron?
I dont think there is no ways she is giving up Either But in your own opinion which is better?

 

[michaela]

Bumpers...

 

[anon123]

Did your friend say she preferred one over the other?

 

[michaela]

Did your friend say she preferred one over the other?

Yes she likes the pressing....But i really think the flat iron is better out of the 2erplexed There is no telling how hot the pressing comb and marcel stove can get...

 

[Soliel185]

I would say flat iron -- that whole pressing process is ALOT of heat - dryer, blowdryer, marcel iron AND pressing comb? Some people do have hair that can withstand all that, but I would think that long term the flat iron would be better for her hair's condition, though the traditional press may get it straighter.

Doesn't the blue grease sizzle when she presses too? I remember stylists would always tell me "Don't worry - that's just the product burning off."

 

[*closer*2*my*dreams*]

I would take the flat iron over the pressing withn a marcel and blue magis (yuk!), although i don;t agree with the lady using oil sheen and then flat ironing the hair....and where's the heat protectant?

 

[michaela]

I would take the flat iron over the pressing withn a marcel and blue magis (yuk!), although i don;t agree with the lady using oil sheen and then flat ironing the hair....and where's the heat protectant?

She used the heat protectant first than she sprayed oil sheen over it...

 

[tenjoy]

All of that just sounds stink.

 

[Noir]

Flat ironing (with ceramic plates not ceramic coated) mos def.

 

[sunshinne368]

I use both! I flat iron with my maxiglide and press out my roots. When I was back in cali I used a stove and did the same thing. But I did not put anything on it, the less the better your hair turned out!

 

[DaDragonPrincess]

Flat iron....

 

[PinkSkates]

Which process is better?...The better process is the one she prefers and gets the results that pleases her most. Health wise direct heat is direct heat...the end.

 

[michaela]

Which process is better?...The better process is the one she prefers and gets the results that pleases her most. Health wise direct heat is direct heat...the end.

Good point...

 

[Mortons]

the flat iron is less likely to damage her hair. So if she wants her natural to stay looking natural chances are she should go with the flat iron.

 

[LaReyna756]

I agree with Soleil, in general a flat iron may be better for the hair, but the pressing comb may be able to get it straighter. But it depends a lot on technique too.

When I was natural a few years ago, I used a pressing comb. Now, I am transitioning and I'm using a flat iron. I like both.

 

[tenjoy]

Which process is better?...The better process is the one she prefers and gets the results that pleases her most. Health wise direct heat is direct heat...the end.

True. I have seen corded ceramic hot combs too. To think about it I'm sure you can consider my maxi-glide a hot-comb.

But I think its the blue magic and all that other stuff she is putting on it. with the flatiron she is using a heat protectant. Now if she has a ceramic hot-comb and used heat protect, IMO that would be much better than her current practices.

 

[Chameleonchick]

I think with the technology that is out now that flat ironing would be a better idea. Especially if it has ceramic/tourmaline plates.

 

[Allandra]

I haven't had a pressing comb on my hair since I was a child, and I would never let anyone press my hair now. To get my hair straight, I just get it blow dried and flat ironed or air dried and flat ironed. This works great for my hair.

My hair doesn't sizzle, and I don't use Blue Magic.

 

[GV-NA-GI-TLV-GE-I]

Speaking of flat irons, when I was just about to plunker down some good bucks for a Chi, I was searching all over the net. Then I saw this one. I think you have to be licensed...but DANG!!! Look at the freaking results. I wish! I like the fact you can get very close to the edges.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCZpM0S7jEw

 

[malachi74]

she shouldn't be spraying oil sheen before the flat-iron; maybe that's why she got a sizzle. Flat Iron to me looks better and seems less harsh on the hair. You have to be a real pro to get it right and swanging with the marcel oven and hot comb...and using grease to hot comb would leave me to believe that she is no pro.

 

[malachi74]

Which process is better?...The better process is the one she prefers and gets the results that pleases her most. Health wise direct heat is direct heat...the end.

Yes, but PinkSkates you ain't around here slapping Blue Magic and oil sheen on your hair before running the hot tool through. I think her stylist needs to read up on your hot comb technique before she puts the comb to her head again.

 

[PinkSkates]

Originally posted by malachi74
Yes, but PinkSkates you ain't around here slapping Blue Magic and oil sheen on your hair before running the hot tool through. I think her stylist needs to read up on your hot comb technique before she puts the comb to her head again.

you are so right! I was trying to be honest and PC at the same time. I would never use a comb attachment to blow dry my hair...too much manipulation for 4a type hair. And using Blue magic grease or Oil sheen is a great way to sizzle-fry your hair strands to saw dust especially the ends...Yikes!
But to each his own!

 

[Stella B.]

Any iron, when its too hot can burn the hair. My hair has been burned with pressing combs, (sizzling and all), as well as with flat irons that were too hot, and the temperature could not be controlled. Good results can be achieved with either, if used properly. Whenever I see a lot of smoke coming from the flat iron or pressing comb, I know there's a fire burning in somebody's head! :burning:

 

[Blessed_Angel]

Flat ironing (with ceramic plates not ceramic coated) mos def.

I agree...this is safer. Do they make hot combs with ceramic plates now? Just curious....I haven't pressed my hair in years.

When I used to press my hair, I used to airdry it first, then press it. It came out straighter and softer (it's also healthier for the hair).

 

[ladycage]

Heat is heat, in cosmetology school I learned how to use marcel irons and the results are usually better with marcels used properly. A flat iron can go up to 430 degrees ladies and that is really hot, I have seen people burn their hair with a flat iron as well as with a stove iron, the key is using PROPERLY. If you don't know how to use stove irons then use a flat iron. Marcels also come as electric with thermostat controls and now golden supreme has a stove with a thermostat and iron tester. What ever method you choose, heat protectant is a must.

The problem isn't the pressing comb it is the person using the pressing comb and not knowing when the iron is too hot for a texture of hair. Just like with flat irons, one person may need 385 dgrees and another person may need to go to 360 degrees it depends on the person. You may be able to use a mild relaxer for 5 minutes and get your hair bone straight while someone else may use regular for 15 minutes.

 

[LiberianGirl]

I prefer the flat iron over the pressing comb but I agree both can damage your hair if not used properly..i.e. heat protectant, over-usage, etc.

 

[mahogany_horizons]

Doesn't the blue grease sizzle when she presses too? I remember stylists would always tell me "Don't worry - that's just the product burning off."

LOL, scary. People get me sick with that mess.....I treat my hair like it's silk, I need to, its soft and fine....just cuz you can rip and pull through your hair, fry it and so on, doesn't mean that is the only way to do hair. People kill me with that "don't worry, it's just the product burning off, or I'm just detangling, while they are ripping your hair out. NO! lol. Sorry I'm venting.

 

[anon123]

I've never had my hair flat ironed, only tried it myself. I can't get it straight myself. I used to be a press and curl girl. I think with the right knowledge, pressing doesn't have to be super damaging. You control the temp by learning how paper is supposed to look when you touch it to the comb. I used to touch myself up with the pressing comb. Once you take it off the fire you rub it against a paper towel, preferably the kind with the bumpies. If when you press it down it burns the towel a dark brown, it's too hot. If you press it on the paper and it leaves it completely white, it's not hot enough. For people who want a really light press, it might be warm enough if at least the little bumpies go down some because of the heat. It was right for me if I pressed it against the towel and it made a very light brown color.

The longest hair of anyone in my family is my cousin who is press and curl (most of my family is natural and either press and curl or in braids or something, though i'm one of 2 "nappies"), and her hair is down to her booty.

 

[PinkSkates]

Originally posted by ladycage
Heat is heat, in cosmetology school I learned how to use marcel irons and the results are usually better with marcels used properly. A flat iron can go up to 430 degrees ladies and that is really hot, I have seen people burn their hair with a flat iron as well as with a stove iron, the key is using PROPERLY. If you don't know how to use stove irons then use a flat iron. Marcels also come as electric with thermostat controls and now golden supreme has a stove with a thermostat and iron tester. What ever method you choose, heat protectant is a must.

The problem isn't the pressing comb it is the person using the pressing comb and not knowing when the iron is too hot for a texture of hair. Just like with flat irons, one person may need 385 dgrees and another person may need to go to 360 degrees it depends on the person. You may be able to use a mild relaxer for 5 minutes and get your hair bone straight while someone else may use regular for 15 minutes.

Excellent post, you summed it up beautifully!

 

[MoMo]

Heat is heat, in cosmetology school I learned how to use marcel irons and the results are usually better with marcels used properly. A flat iron can go up to 430 degrees ladies and that is really hot, I have seen people burn their hair with a flat iron as well as with a stove iron, the key is using PROPERLY. If you don't know how to use stove irons then use a flat iron. Marcels also come as electric with thermostat controls and now golden supreme has a stove with a thermostat and iron tester. What ever method you choose, heat protectant is a must.

The problem isn't the pressing comb it is the person using the pressing comb and not knowing when the iron is too hot for a texture of hair. Just like with flat irons, one person may need 385 dgrees and another person may need to go to 360 degrees it depends on the person. You may be able to use a mild relaxer for 5 minutes and get your hair bone straight while someone else may use regular for 15 minutes.

I wish I had the skill to use marcel irons...there's nothing like 'em. This is the truth! When I go to a stylist, I go to a lady at JC Penney's and she also works with about 4 other black stylist that specialize in ethnic hair. Ask me why she has more than 10 clients (that I have seen) with MBL or WL hair while all the other stylists' clients have very little hair to work with.

She told me the key is clarifying the hair, moisturizing/deep conditioning and very little product when straightening. She is 80 years old and I have seen her cut her own BSL hair to NL and grow it right back out at least twice.