Heat & Hair?

[LongHairSoon]

Hello everyone. I noticed that many people say that they don't use heat at all on their hair. Do you guys wait until it gets to a certain length before you stop using heat (so that it can at least be pulled back into a bun while wet) or just stop using the blow dryer and irons. If the latter, HOW DO YOU DO IT? I am certainly down for the idea, but just need some advice as to do it and still look decent in public!

 

[inthepink]

I quit the heat when my hair started falling out from a relaxer. As a result, I think I've saved a LOT of my hair. Additionally, I'm transitioning and I'd have to use too much heat to keep my hair as straight as it was when I was relaxed. I quit cold turkey. That is not to say that I NEVER use heat. I still do but occasionally. For the past 6+ months, it's been once in June, September, November, December, and then March of this year. That's only 5 times in 10 months. Dryness and split ends are something I don't much have to deal with anymore.

As far as what to do with my hair without heat...For me, I airdry and do braidouts. I keep my hair smooth with styling products. Most days, I wear my hair back in a scrunchy ponytail updo. I wear a clean makeup look and always wear earrings and sometimes a cute hair accessory. I've gotten quite used to the look though sometimes I go through boredom stages.

Read around on the site and you will get plenty of ideas on what to do with your hair without heat. The options seem endless and are really based on what you're willing to do and how much time/effort you want to do devote to it. But, I can guarantee that you WILL see results of a no heat/low heat regimen!

 

[Purtygurly]

Well if you have short hair you can do wet sets and twistouts/braidouts, or wear braids.

 

[adrienne0914]

LHS, i wore braids until my hair was long enough to pull back into a bun. it also gave my hair a much needed break from the heat. before that, i was washing, blow drying and curling twice a week.

 

[GodsPromises]

I don't use heat, and my hair is ear lenght. What I do is airdry it and then rollerset it or I do wet sets and let it airdry.

 

[JenJen2721]

Those satin-covered foam rollers by Hype Hair are a great alternative to curling/flat irons. They give a nice curl, especially for shorter hair.

 

[Boadicea]

I stopped using heat so frequently when I saw the horrible shape of my ends. I've since trimmed off all of the damage and now only use heat when I get a touch-up every 3-4 months.

I air dry my hair and slick it back into a protective style (bun, chignon, twists, basic/french/dutch/herringbone braids, etc.)

Only using heat every few months has allowed my hair to remain thick and healthy and accumulate more length than when I would go for a Dominican blowout once a week.

 

[Isis]

Welcome LongHairSoon!

My hair was already long enough to put into a bun when I started airdrying (for the first time) last July. Throughout the rest of the year I kept it in a bun or in a French Twist. Now I've added braid outs to my air dried styles. Air drying was a new and fascinating concept for me when I came to LHCF and I'm so glad that I do it. No heat yet since July, 2003 - it really makes a difference!

 

[DigitalRain]

When I cut off my hair 4 years ago down to 1 inch several years ago, I used the curling iron till it got some length and promptly starting rolling my hair the itty bitty soft rollers. I used the curling iron to occasionally, but tried to avoid the heat. I enjoyed the rollers any since the curls lasted way longer than those made from a curling iron.

 

[Honeychild11]

Try using caruso rollers (you can by the at Sally's), the use steam instead of heat. I am absolutely in luuuvvv with them since I purchased. They only cost about $30

 

[sengschick]

My hair was long enough too, but I was still doing heat and killing my ends. Since coming here I have been a devotee of the braid-out and have legally seperated from my heating implements. I do use my dryer "cool shot" button in emergency. Anyway, I think no matter your length a braid or twist-out is a great way to break the cycle and get "long hair soon".

You can do it girly!

 

[LABETT]

I just started laying off the blowdryer and started airdrying my hair which has made a huge difference.
My hair is much healthier and not has thinned out as before.
I am a big fan of airdrying now.

 

[Chaya]

Earlier last year I was using the blowdryer and curling iron ( everyday almost). I also had color in my hair. My hair was growing at a snails pace. I switched up my regimine since I found this board to wet wraps and chi turbo ceramic flat iron once a week and now I just do rollerset and wrap after the rollerset. My hair does not need trims as often my hair is healthier as ever and doesnt experience breakage anymore. I do use a flat iron maybe once or twice a month on my roots to straighten them out after a rollerset. I have received great results using little to no heat on my hair.