Heat Training - The Only Natural Relaxer

[washize]

Her hair looks shiny, but it doesn't move. It is really stiff. I think that stiff hair is a sign of hair damage. I used to have super stiff hair before LHCF. I've texlaxed once with a box of baking soda last month. I loved the results, my hair has already reverted back to its natural texture. I love not having the commintment of keeping up with the manipulation, but I also love having the choice to texturize my hair temporarrily.

 

[Duchesse]

Gorgeous hair! If my strands were thicker, I would definitely use heat more often.

 

[tami73]

NP OP. My hair is about the same length. Are you doing anything different? For instance, I usually where my hair like my siggy pic and I've realized that while the style CAN last for over a week that if I keep it more than that I get serious knots! So I avoid any style (other than having it straight) for more than a week. Another example, some people get SSK from frequent wash and go's for me it's the opposite, my hair stays knot free if I'm doing wash and go's because I'm constantly co-washing my hair/the curls stay loose and don't have time to knot.

I have not changed anything at all. My first knot was with my usual wash and go and second time round was with a braid out just a few days later. I usually wear my styles for 2-3 days before washing again. I can only imagine that it's the texture of my hair that is prone to knots. I read somewhere that curly hair cuticles are never fully closed especially at the point of the curl and this is why curly hair can get so tangly because the 'open' cuticles catch on their neighbour. To me this means that you would have to keep the hair stretched to prevent tangles. Braid outs don't stretch my hair much. Take a look at what I mean, this is my wash and go:

And this is my braid out a few days later:

Thank you guys for checking out my video. I will be making a detailed video on heat training today. It turns out that the process can be a lot more detailed than I imagined and I want to give out the best imformation. So hopefully I can get it done and up by tonight or tomorrow. I'll also make another video on how I heat train my hair next week. Thanks for watching and all the kind words.

Excellent, cant wait!

 

[Neith]

It's "controlled" damage just like a relaxer. You can still have healthy hair with it.

No offense intended. I used to relax my hair and I would say that of myself too The proteins were literally broken down inside my hair shaft. Doesn't mean that my hair was damaged beyond the point that it was falling out or anything...

I don't know much about heat training though.

It seems like it'd be harder to control than a texturizer or relaxer... since you can actually control how long you leave them on.

With heat training, how/when do you know that one extra swipe won't leave you with a straight section?

People who do it probably know a lot about heat usage and are very careful.

 

[LadyRaider]

I am waiting to see a video of how her hair looks freshly washed and of her exact process of heat training. I have already decided this go round to blow dry my natural hair more often and more consistently. It makes for much quicker twisting & styling so far. I'm trying to keep a kinky texture, just not as tight.

ETA: Brittany is pretty and her hair looks great!

Hey... how would blowdrying make twisting/twistouts easier? I would think they would be harder. My hair is slick and fine enough without blow drying it.

As for the OP... I think you should do what you like with your hair.

 

[tHENATuRALhAiRpRoJEcT]

I just wish i could TRAIN my hair by any means really

 

[Esthi777]

I was heat trained for years and didn't know it. My hair cannot take it but it looks like hers can. If you look at my Avatar, that's heat trained hair. I was loosing so much hair when I was putting heat in it and ladies, I did it all! Blowdry, flatiron, curing irons. My poor hair. After I would wash my hair, it would dry straight, bone straight! After lurking on LCHF, I realized that I missed my curls and the option to to wash and go. Thank goodness I was able to "train" my hair back to being curly with protein treatments and lots of DCs. I prefer to have an option now. If I want straight hair then I'll wrap it and its super straight.

Overall, if her hair isn't breaking and looking raggedy, then good for her. She's beautiful!

 

[CherryCherryBoomBoom]

I've watched this video before, I'm already subscribed to her. But it's a useful video, and the idea of heat training sounds rather appealing to me. I'm better at flat ironing than I am at relaxing as well, so this sounds pretty perfect

 

[Fine 4s]

As a natural I experience tons of SSK which has everything to do with my natural kinks and somewhat to do with how moisturized my strands are. As someone mentioned above, the more moisture I provide to my strands, the less SSK I experience. This means that keeping a PS style in for long (3 weeks + for me) will guarantee SSK when I remove the braids, twists or rows before washing IF I don't properly moisturize. As Longhairdontcare does, I keep the already formed clumps intact as I detangle in the shower as opposed to separating them forming one big fuzzy helmet on my head on wash days after a long PS stretch.

In my 15 years of experience with natural hair once heat damaged, I've learned that depending on the temperature, the tool used to apply the heat and how frequently one straightens natural hair will determine how damaged the hair may or may not be. I like the term 'controlled' damage Neith My hair was stretched out for so many years by going to the salon every 2 weeks using the following torture tools: extremely hot (without measuring the temperature) pressing comb switching to only using a curling iron from the Marcel stove or my last healthy attempt using extremely hot blow-dryers directly on the hair while stretching it with a round brush. I haven't used a flat iron yet. Basically, my hair was stretched out to its max and with a combination of how often I followed this method & the amount of heat applied resulted in my hair losing its natural elasticity. Healthy hair is determined by its elasticity, porosity and maybe something else (can't remember). So hair that is stretched out to its max (think of a rubber band) and cannot return to its original state is...some say damaged some say loser kinks, some say loser curls. One thing I know is that those kinds of rubber bands get thrown out lol.
And here the debate begins. One thing we can all agree on is that it is not the same texture as when it grew out of the scalp. My heat damaged hair was stringy and broke off very easily when dry because of the lack of elasticity. When hair is relaxed, the protein bonds that are relaxed (and also the strongest bonds to break in hair) are different. Which bonds are better to break down? *shrug*
I remember when it was trained and sat at SL when wet; I had some Pantene conditioner on vacation and let me tell you that comb SLID through my entire head. To this day I can remember how happy I felt since I had no idea how I was going to pull off a beach vacation with an SO. It was strictly WNG in buns. Today, my comb would get lost in my hair, I'd need a gallons of Pantene, Silk amino acids and straight slime to make anything "glide" anywhere & it would take 10 times longer in the shower to do at which time I'd be in the freezing cold water. UGH!

My hair was NEVER this long and was NEVER this thick until I stopped using heat completely. Now, I am flirting with the idea of using heat but will have to learn what is the highest and safest temperature to use; which is the best tool to use on my fine strands and how frequently I can do this. Right now, I use the blow-dryer to straighten and trust me, it isn’t bone straight either. I can easily twist my hair without having to detangle the lose ends as I go, without making sure I don't have strands mixed with another section, I don't have to detangle much because the blow-dried hair is less tangled nor do I have to fight against the stickiness of my castor oil or shea butter. When it's straight, I moisturize at the end of the twisting session and because it is not bone straight, the twists stay put.

This topic is often about perspective and depending on what side of the camp you fall on you will find evidence to support that position no matter what. I didn't have a good experience with this over a long period of time. Yes, I experienced moments of enjoying my hair (I have what I would consider a nice DR blow out) fresh out of the salon but what I have NOW I would never trade-in for the past.

Potato-Potahto.

 

[dynamic1]

Um...didn't she state herself that she heat trains? Her texture is not the same texture as it grows out of her head. She has an entire video dedicated to it. The heat she uses (once a month) has altered her texture...isn't that the same definition used on LHCF? You can even look at her progress pics and tell there is a diff in texture.

I would attribute it (texture appearance) to stretching and length more than heat. Some on LHCF are using heat to change their texture intentionally. If I kept my hair stretched (even without heat) 95% of the time, my hair wouldn't shrink as much either (over time). It would begin to shrink more quickly if I kept wearing it a wash and go or puff (over time). My sis used heat weekly on her long natural hair. It appeared her texture was altered. However, her texture reverted (tightened back up) when she consistently wore a wash and go (1.5-2 months).

People seem to have picked the use of heat out of her regimen and ignored the rest of routine (minimal heat, stretching by braiding, low manipulation). My initial post was intended to caution people attempting to achieve her results without paying close attention to the details.

Again, she isn't using heat to alter the texture of her hair which can lead to heat damage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j9NVdN13jM&playnext_from=TL&videos=lA-Hfu9k2W8

 

[Newtogrow]

What is the heat training? flat iron? blow dryer? press? how often? what products? how long does the process take?

Hopes heat trained hair ppl can chime in

 

[brittanynic16]

What is the heat training? flat iron? blow dryer? press? how often? what products? how long does the process take?

Hopes heat trained hair ppl can chime in

I'll be making a video on the details in the next day or so.

 

[Fine 4s]

What is the heat training?
When you've trained your hair to behave in a particular way without a chemical. In this case we've been discussing losening the curl pattern or kinks using heat and no relaxer.
flat iron? You can use that tool if you want
blow dryer? You can use that tool if you want
press? Guess what? Yep, you can use that tool if you want also.
how often? However often you want but that will determine if you take it to the extreme and do more harm than good.
what products? You can use any leave in and a heat protector how long does the process take? However long it takes to dry your hair. It takes me HOURS (~3) to blow dry and I don't do it often maybe 3 times per year and I don't blow dry it bone straight.

Hopes heat trained hair ppl can chime in

 

[luckiestdestiny]

I haven't heat trained but I was thinking about it...not sure if my hair will react well to heat or break down and texlax. Not even sure if I'll ever tex lax. I've been thinking about it on and off for two years lol! I've been natural waaay longer. Cut my hair last year to get out layers (from mbl to a couple inches below shoulder) and it's now back to it's previous length (around mbl or longer not sure as next month I'll take out my braids and straighten). I've just kept braiding it up so that I can think before doing something drastic. Some days I decide my natural hair is wonderful and I don't want to touch it. Some days I'm so tired that I think screw this! It's so dense (lots of hairs though it's fine it looks and feels thick) that I want to a. chop it, b. tex lax, or c do something to reduce styling time like heat train.

I'm still waiting to decide (the libra in me is annoying me when it comes to this weighing all sides...I'm usually not this indecisive BUT it's my hair you know).

We'll see. I guess when I get my hair exactly where I want it, I may heat train. If I see that it cannot handle it, it'll be back to low manipulation styles. I have flat ironed before but not with the intent of heat training.

It's a confusing subject to me. But either way I introduced longhairdon'tcare last year (started a thread) because her hair is just gorgeous. And she was nice enough to answer lhcf questions (she read the thread) and even did a shout out (lol!). I just love her hair. And brittanynyc is coming along nicely.

There's just too many options on lhcf for heathy hair in all states: natural to relaxed gosh darn it! And too many options for ways to wear hair. This is a good problem no?...

 

[tami73]

I mostly agree with you Fine 4s. Who knows which bonds are 'safer' broken, heat or with relaxer. All I can say is that if you are comparing heat trained hair to natural hair then it will look thinner and possibly see through but if you are comparing it to relaxed hair, well I think there can be no doubt that heat trained hair looks thicker but if that's a good thing or not depends on who you ask! All I wonder is if it's a healthier option to relaxing or texturizing.

I am just conjecturing here but couldn't you just heat train your hair then use low heat methods of styling like rollersets and such?

 

[LaFemmeNaturelle]

I would attribute it (texture appearance) to stretching and length more than heat. Some on LHCF are using heat to change their texture intentionally. If I kept my hair stretched (even without heat) 95% of the time, my hair wouldn't shrink as much either (over time). It would begin to shrink more quickly if I kept wearing it a wash and go or puff (over time). My sis used heat weekly on her long natural hair. It appeared her texture was altered. However, her texture reverted (tightened back up) when she consistently wore a wash and go (1.5-2 months).

People seem to have picked the use of heat out of her regimen and ignored the rest of routine (minimal heat, stretching by braiding, low manipulation). My initial post was intended to caution people attempting to achieve her results without paying close attention to the details.

Again, she isn't using heat to alter the texture of her hair which can lead to heat damage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j9NVdN13jM&playnext_from=TL&videos=lA-Hfu9k2W8

lol whether or not you intentionally change your texture is not the point. I didn't watch the video you posted because I've seen her videos and she said her texture changed over time by blowdrying, which imo is heat training. After she washes it, her curls are looser, which is heat trained hair. If someone wants to heat train because they think it makes it easier to take care of their hair, then fine. If someone wants to heat train because it eventually changes the texture of their hair, then fine. If someone wants to relax because they say it makes their hair easier then fine. Doesn't make them different from the person who wants to relax because it changes their texture. You still end up with the same results.

I understand you cautioning others but she is a good example of a heat trained natural. But people should learn about healthy hair care in general. Brittany states that being heat trained allows her to comb her hair more easily; same with longhairdontcare.

 

[ChristmasCarol]

If I decide to grow past MBL, I will def. heat train my hair. Not everyone can manage TBL natural hair.

Couple pics of heat trained hair below. She would have to cut her hair if it wasn't trained, because it would take a VERY long time to wash/dry/flatiron and she doesn't wear her hair curly anyways. My middle daughter is also considering heat-training because her hair is getting to the point where it's no longer a joy to take care of. I don't push my girls to heat-train (I would not heat-train my 6 yr. old - her pic is my avatar), but for us, relaxers are out of the question if we want long hair - our hair cannot grow long w/chemicals. Length is what we're going for - being natural is just the quickest way to long, thick hair.

 

[brucebettye]

My hair was heat trained when I was younger, but the way my mother did it is still had super duper shrinkage and she used the pressing comb that was used on the stove. I am just not good with heat and being texlaxed works for me at this time. I know some heat trained naturals and their hair is healthy and long.

 

[JFK]

If I decide to grow past MBL, I will def. heat train my hair. Not everyone can manage TBL natural hair.

Couple pics of heat trained hair below. She would have to cut her hair if it wasn't trained, because it would take a VERY long time to wash/dry/flatiron and she doesn't wear her hair curly anyways. My middle daughter is also considering heat-training because her hair is getting to the point where it's no longer a joy to take care of. I don't push my girls to heat-train (I would not heat-train my 6 yr. old - her pic is my avatar), but for us, relaxers are out of the question if we want long hair - our hair cannot grow long w/chemicals. Length is what we're going for - being natural is just the quickest way to long, thick hair.

Are these pictures of your daughters? If so, good job in maintaining their hair and what was your reggie for them!?

 

[dynamic1]

lol whether or not you intentionally change your texture is not the point. I didn't watch the video you posted because I've seen her videos and she said her texture changed over time by blowdrying, which imo is heat training. After she washes it, her curls are looser, which is heat trained hair. If someone wants to heat train because they think it makes it easier to take care of their hair, then fine. If someone wants to heat train because it eventually changes the texture of their hair, then fine. If someone wants to relax because they say it makes their hair easier then fine. Doesn't make them different from the person who wants to relax because it changes their texture. You still end up with the same results.

I understand you cautioning others but she is a good example of a heat trained natural. But people should learn about healthy hair care in general. Brittany states that being heat trained allows her to comb her hair more easily; same with longhairdontcare.

Your defensiveness is unjustified. I never made any distinction between the two in my responses (relax or heat use). Nor did I make a statement against the use of heat. erplexed

If longhaircare2011 is a great example of heat training to you, awesome! We don't have to agree. Kayneshrug

 

[Fine 4s]

I mostly agree with you Fine 4s. Who knows which bonds are 'safer' broken, heat or with relaxer. All I can say is that if you are comparing heat trained hair to natural hair then it will look thinner and possibly see through but if you are comparing it to relaxed hair, well I think there can be no doubt that heat trained hair looks thicker but if that's a good thing or not depends on who you ask! All I wonder is if it's a healthier option to relaxing or texturizing.

I am just conjecturing here but couldn't you just heat train your hair then use low heat methods of styling like rollersets and such?

Sure.
But this brings up the question of degrees IMO...to what degree/extent does heat styling cause damage/heat stretching/heat training? rollersets are considered indirect heat and therefore not considered part of the torture toolbox like pressing combs, flat irons and marcel stove tools.
However, I will say that if an extra tight (botox injection like) rollerset was done, the stretching and heat would scuur me too!

 

[Fine 4s]

If I decide to grow past MBL, I will def. heat train my hair. Not everyone can manage TBL natural hair.

Couple pics of heat trained hair below. She would have to cut her hair if it wasn't trained, because it would take a VERY long time to wash/dry/flatiron and she doesn't wear her hair curly anyways. My middle daughter is also considering heat-training because her hair is getting to the point where it's no longer a joy to take care of. I don't push my girls to heat-train (I would not heat-train my 6 yr. old - her pic is my avatar), but for us, relaxers are out of the question if we want long hair - our hair cannot grow long w/chemicals. Length is what we're going for - being natural is just the quickest way to long, thick hair.

A family of long-haired women....
Ya'll are dangerous together...Dang.

Where's my clan at?

 

[ctosha]

I have 4a/b thick natural hair the longer my hair gets the more of an issue i have with ssk and tangles. I don't rip them out I cut them out so I feel i will loose tons of progress. I will be flat ironing this weekend I think I will be flat ironing more frequently maybe once a month. I have done it all to minimize tangles and ssk. I stretch with twist outs, band hair no wash n goes air drying makes my hair kind of stiff. When I was little my mom used to blow dry and cornrow til I was 16 I retained my length. I feel I am one who's hair does well with heat if used correctly. I think I will gradually heat train my hair I have seen some who have heat trained health hair. Some people's hair just loves heat.

 

[yodie]

This entire thread just makes me wish/want more manageable hair. I'm natural 4a/b and my hair is to the bottom of my neck. Seems like I live at this length. Sheesh! I'm sitting underneath the dryer right now with rollers in my hair, in an effort to limit blowdrying. I do plan on using my maxiglide with steam after I take these rollers out. It's ALL a process and very time consuming and hard. Part of me wants to run back to the salon every two weeks and just let them deal with it, but I don't want to be handicapped by the salon. Sheesh!

Looking forward to brittany's video.

Off topic: Hi luckiestdestiny.

 

[brittanynic16]

First video posted

 

[tami73]

First video posted

Just watched the video and anxiously awaiting the next. Thanks for the shout out girl!

Since you've done both with success, how does heat training compare to relaxer in your opinon?

 

[Minty]

thanks for part one Brittany!!!! Awaiting the next installment.

 

[Minty]

I think Brit. is a hair twin. When she said that small patch of 3b/c in the back.....I was like YUP!

 

[brittanynic16]

Just watched the video and anxiously awaiting the next. Thanks for the shout out girl!

Since you've done both with success, how does heat training compare to relaxer in your opinon?

I like the heat training a lot better. But, I don't really consider myself sucessful with the relaxer. It grew but I had a lot of breakage. It was bad application. But, even if it was good I think I would still perfer the training to the relaxers just because of all the hazards, long term affects, over lapping and all that. I pretty much have the training down to a science so I'll stick to it for a long time.

 

[brittanynic16]

I think Brit. is a hair twin. When she said that small patch of 3b/c in the back.....I was like YUP!

Yep that's me. A 3c living in a 4a neighborhood with a 4b next door (imagine that).

Thanks for the positivity ladies. The next video will be up tomorrow. It just takes forever to upload.