Is Flat Ironing bad for hair?

[BSweet]

A lot of you say you stay away from heat. Yet some of you are the same ones talking about the best flat iron..isn’t that a form of heat? So is it okay to flat iron after you wash?

 

[shunta]

Personally, I dont flat iron anymore. But if you must, use a good heat protectant and only do it on freshly washed hair.

 

[determined_to_grow]

From what I learned so far flat ironing once in a while like once a month is not bad but every day nope you are screaming disaster!!! HTH

 

[Jas123]

I think I remember on the ask Dwayne website that a (real) ceramic flat iron was ok because it heated hair from inside out..but yes you should indulge in any type of heat on a regular basis.

 

[MizaniMami]

I flat iron. About once every 2-3 mos though.

I DO think flat ironing is bad, but with a ceramic iron it isn't as bad-but remember it still is heat.

I love to flat iron, but I want to gain length so I try and avoid them, atleast too often.

 

[camellia]

I think flat ironing is bad, but with proper precautions (only ironing clean, dry hair, using a good quality heat protectant, not using too high of a heat setting) the damage can be minimized.

I have not flat ironed my hair or used heat in over a year now, but I am still on the hunt for a really good flat iron, so when I do indulge I won't do as much damage. I'm seriously considering the Sedu...

 

[MizaniMami]

I think flat ironing is bad, but with proper precautions (only ironing clean, dry hair, using a good quality heat protectant, not using too high of a heat setting) the damage can be minimized.

I have not flat ironed my hair or used heat in over a year now, but I am still on the hunt for a really good flat iron, so when I do indulge I won't do as much damage. I'm seriously considering the Sedu...

Daaaang Camillia! You are hipbone length! I can't wait to see it when it is flat ironed. Beautiful hair and progress!

 

[BSweet]

ok so far flat ironing is bad..is there anyone who flat irons after every wash with good results?

 

[peacelove]

ok so far flat ironing is bad..is there anyone who flat irons after every wash with good results?

I could be wrong, but Sylver2 I think flat irons with every wash and her hair is quite long.

I do it every other week at my stylist and my hair is doing pretty well. Despite about 5 dustings in the past 4 months, I have held on to my legth pretty well, but my hair is not that long as you can see. (I am growing out areas in the middle and front of my hair - hence all the trimming!)

This is one area I do agree that it is worth it to get a very very high quality ceramic flat iron. My stylist uses Chi dryers and irons and it makes a huge difference. It seems to hold moisture in the hair better and seal the hair better IMO. She also uses a heat protectant, serum and NO OIL whatsoever. So My hair has a lot of movement and feels strong. On the week I don't go to her, I wear a wash and go - no heat.

 

[BerrySweet]

A lot of you say you stay away from heat. Yet some of you are the same ones talking about the best flat iron..isn’t that a form of heat? So is it okay to flat iron after you wash?

Everything is bad for your hair. Combing/brushing breaks it, washing it weakens it, conditioning it makes it too soft, heat burns it, relaxer destroys it lol. But everything in moderation (and low heat) should be fine.

 

[LikeNoOther]

Everything is bad for your hair. Combing/brushing breaks it, washing it weakens it, conditioning it makes it too soft, heat burns it, relaxer destroys it lol. But everything in moderation (and low heat) should be fine.

LOL!!!!

You are so right! As much as I love this board, it has made me a bit paranoid a/b my hair! erplexed

I for one can attest to flat ironing on a regular basis not being good for the hair. I used to flat iron every 5-7 days, ONLY after a wash, and my hair shedded and thinned from breakage so badly. I have a Sedu & a Chi (actually I'm a/b to sell both). Now I use my Chi curling iron once a week, and I'm doing alot better. I should have prefaced this by saying that I do have 4a/b, color treated & fine hair, so I wasn't the best candidate for flat ironing to begin with.

Good Luck!

 

[sylver2]

I could be wrong, but Sylver2 I think flat irons with every wash and her hair is quite long.

I do it every other week at my stylist and my hair is doing pretty well. Despite about 5 dustings in the past 4 months, I have held on to my legth pretty well, but my hair is not that long as you can see. (I am growing out areas in the middle and front of my hair - hence all the trimming!)

This is one area I do agree that it is worth it to get a very very high quality ceramic flat iron. My stylist uses Chi dryers and irons and it makes a huge difference. It seems to hold moisture in the hair better and seal the hair better IMO. She also uses a heat protectant, serum and NO OIL whatsoever. So My hair has a lot of movement and feels strong. On the week I don't go to her, I wear a wash and go - no heat.

I flat iron once a month. In the summer time I don't flat iron at all.
I use the Maxiglide..I love it.

 

[GodsPromises]

Everything is bad for your hair. Combing/brushing breaks it, washing it weakens it, conditioning it makes it too soft, heat burns it, relaxer destroys it lol. But everything in moderation (and low heat) should be fine.

You couldn't had said it before than that. OP you really have to just find out what works for you. I was flat ironing my hair every week and my hair was ok. I just decided to give heat a break. I still use it but not as often. I prefer rollersetting to flat iron. I am not about 16 week post trying for 20 before relaxing. I have been wearing phonytails, buns and rollerset with small rolllers.

 

[2cute2B4gotten]

ok so far flat ironing is bad..is there anyone who flat irons after every wash with good results?

I do! I flat iron about 1/2 way down the shaft and haven't had any problems. I use Redken heat glide before i flat iron and i haven't had any problems.

 

[Tee]

I flat iron once a month. In the summer time I don't flat iron at all.
I use the Maxiglide..I love it.

Heat is bad but everything in moderation. I have used my flat iron twice this summer. I dont use heat much at all but a good iron makes a huge difference. (get a good iron also)

 

[amy1234]

For me, manipulating the hair has hurt me the most. I don't mind flat-ironing to smooth out the crinkles, but I had to definitely cut back on daily manipulation.