Heat Protecting -- explain it to me like I'm a 5-year old!

[Charla]

So I'm gearing up for my first flat iron attempt in December on natural hair, and of course, I want to do everything possible to prevent heat damage. I've been reading a lot and watching some YT videos, but one thing I seem to keep missing is...

Do I apply the heat protectant to BARE hair (that's already been shampooed and conditioned) or do I apply the heat protectant to my hair AFTER I've already moisturized my shampooed hair with my leave-in products?

If I apply the heat protectant to BARE hair, do I then follow up with my leave-ins before I start the blow drying/flat ironing process?

Thank you ladies in advance for helping me prevent heat damage!

 

[pookaloo83]

Charla Heat protectant to bare hair is what I do. Hair that's already been shampooed and conditioned. Then once it's been blowdried and flatironed, I apply a little of my leave in to moisturize. But not too much where it will revert.

 

[Charla]

Charla Heat protectant to bare hair is what I do. Hair that's already been shampooed and conditioned. Then once it's been blowdried and flatironed, I apply a little of my leave in to moisturize. But not too much where it will revert.

Thanks, pookaloo83 -- and lawd, I hope my hair doesn't turn out like the lady in your siggy!

 

[JazzyOleBabe]

Good question. I was thinking along the same line. Also do you applied the heat protectant when you are ready to blow dry and when you are ready to flat iron. Is the heat protectant used once or twice?

 

[pookaloo83]

Thanks, @pookaloo83 -- and lawd, I hope my hair doesn't turn out like the lady in your siggy!

 

[Rocky91]

DEAD pook's siggy.
she steady stylin' on you heauxs.

OP, i apply my heat protectant to my damp hair after shampoo/conditioning. I actually don't use a leave-in-the moisture from my DC is sufficient.

 

[Charla]

DEAD pook's siggy.
she steady stylin' on you heauxs.

OP, i apply my heat protectant to my damp hair after shampoo/conditioning. I actually don't use a leave-in-the moisture from my DC is sufficient.

Rocky91 -- thanks! The DC step is one I completely forgot about. What I'll plan to do the day I flat iron is

1. Chelate (Quantum) (I do step 1 and 2 together 1x monthly)
2. Do a protein DC with my ORS Replenishing Cond + 1 whole egg
3. Cowash (Tressemme Naturals)
4. Apply heat protectant to bare hair then small qty of moisturizer before blowdrying.
5. Possibly spray a little more heat protectant b4 I actually start flat ironing.

What ya'll think?

 

[Rocky91]

I would say do a more moisture based DC.
Your hair needs more moisture to get smooth, silky results when you flatiron. I'd save the protein DC for the first wash AFTER the flatiron.

 

[caramel26Uk]

This is the process I follow with sucess. First prepare your hair for the heat processing.
1. pre-poo then/ or just shampoo.
2. maybe light protein and/or just use a deep conditioner with cones such as ausie miosture deep conditioner or add silk amino acid to your deep conditoner to strengthen your hair for the heat. of course detangle your hair properly.
3. apply non-oily leave-in conditioner and air dry (optional).
4. apply heat protectant to blow out your hair completely; the is the best way to achieve that straight look.
5. apply serum heat protectant to flat iron with comb chase process.
6. apply small amount of fantasia IC hair polisher solid ice pomade; I apply eveytime my hair needs it. everyone is asking me, if I had relaxed my hair.


I hope this steps are easy for you to understand. Good luck

 

[Charla]

Thank you caramel26Uk and Rocky91 Those are some great suggestions! I hope someone can benefit from them too to save their hair!

 

[belletropjolie]

hmmm, I think I damaged my hair using heat protectant. I have some breakage in the front of my hair (like literrally half of some strands are poof) from where I used to flat iron. I would apply a serum and after maybe a minute or less start ironing - btw I was only flat ironing my leave out. It would literally sizzle and start smoking :-( :-( I know I did something wrong but not quite sure what.

Should I have let the serum dry for longer? Also what is the dreaded "bubble hair" people reference? What causes bubble hair?

 

[belletropjolie]

Bump bump bump

 

[westNDNbeauty]

A moisturizing DC is the most important step/product in preventing heat damage.

If moisture is not infused in your hair before the heat touches it, your strands are more susceptible to being damaged by heat.

I would post the link to the article on my blog, but...

 

[DDTexlaxed]

I just did my first successful flat iron on air dried hair and low heat with my Izunami flat iron. After that, I did a dry roller set. It was my first successful hair straitening process. I plan on trying to do a wet roller set in the future so I don't get heat damage. I plan on wearing my hair strait from now until the Spring time. By then, I think I will be able to bun my hair by then. I used grape seed oil and Aphoghee's Green tea restructurizer. This is really awesome because I never was able to do this my past natural journeys. I've hit a milestone and passed it!

 

[Lucky's Mom]

I want to add my two cents....

Moisture is key to protection to my strands.....

I have learned - that the heat protecting serums DO not work for me after my hair is dry... so I use any and all heat protectant during the blow dry......

and then flat iron..one pass only. No more heat protectant after blow drying.

 

[naturalmanenyc]

My process is:

pre poo
detangle
deep condition
add Chi Infra Thermal Protection & rinse
ADD SPRAY ON HEAT PROTECTANT
blow dry
flat iron

I put up a video: http://youtu.be/y2WdwRVHfmE
I do not use a separate leave-in when I flat iron.

These are the products and tools that work for me. Your results may vary.

So I'm gearing up for my first flat iron attempt in December on natural hair, and of course, I want to do everything possible to prevent heat damage. I've been reading a lot and watching some YT videos, but one thing I seem to keep missing is...

Do I apply the heat protectant to BARE hair (that's already been shampooed and conditioned) or do I apply the heat protectant to my hair AFTER I've already moisturized my shampooed hair with my leave-in products?

If I apply the heat protectant to BARE hair, do I then follow up with my leave-ins before I start the blow drying/flat ironing process?

Thank you ladies in advance for helping me prevent heat damage!

 

[Charla]

My process is:

pre poo
detangle
deep condition
add Chi Infra Thermal Protection & rinse
ADD SPRAY ON HEAT PROTECTANT
blow dry
flat iron

I put up a video: http://youtu.be/y2WdwRVHfmE
I do not use a separate leave-in when I flat iron.

These are the products and tools that work for me. Your results may vary.

Thanks for the video too!

 

[naturalmanenyc]

^^ Glad to help. It was trial and error.

Good luck!