I think its important to have a good start ( a good trim to remove split ends so you dont risk them splitting further ) and MOISTURE is the key! 
Foxie, where you been?
Rollersetting JACKED my ends so.......It is def possible to retain with heat. Only 2 years ago my hair was barely SL and very damaged (even 1 inch in many spots). I have passed BSL 3 times since then using heat weekly. The first time I cut to APL and colored by choice (before LHCF). The second time and third time, my hair was cut by a scissor happy stylist. I am now doing my own trimmingand I am inching toward MBL. Umm er um, I have seen several spend their lives in protective styles and braidouts, ect and stay at the same length forever. So its most important to find what you hair can and can't take. If you hair can take weekly heat and retain (and you like to use heat), luck you
. If not, well find something that your hair can take
If it matters, I think the key to using weekly heat and keeping hair on you head is to DC and know your limits. Simple as that.
I'm guessing it was all the manipulation on wet hair. I think wet hair is hair in its weakest state.
I bumped this post because I am at the point where I am tired of protective styling (mostly wigs) and I want to enjoy my own hair. Over the years, wigs and even half wigs caused some bald spots from the combs on the wigs (I was aware while it was happening ... I tried to protect those areas as much as possible). After reading the issues with roller setting, although I never ever had good results, I have decided I will try flat ironing on wash day, once a week. I had quite a few setbacks in the past and was praying that with moderate heat, a quality iron, DC'ing, heat protect I may be one of the lucky ones. Btw I am relaxed.
