Is Hair Steamer REALLY Necessary for Naturals?

[faithVA]

*Beauty_Bandit[/USER];14242309]When I brought my steamer it advertised that it would:
Condition the hair 5X better than a hooded dryer.
Cleanse and purify your scalp
Allow for easy detangeling
Help dye and color penetrate hair quickly and more effectively
Help your hair retain moisture.

So far I've seen it do 3 out of the 5 things it promised. Detangling is a breeze after using the steamer, and my hair seems to hold moisture longer then when I used my hooded dryer. I don't dye my hair, but my mother does, she's also natural. I let her use my steamer after she applied a black dye in her hair. Her hair stayed black for so many months, even she noticed the difference. She was so mad when I moved to my new apartment and took the steamer with me, lol, oh well. I said to myself if I ever do Henna I'll sit under my steamer to let the dye penetrate better.

I agree with what other posts has said its nice to have, but once you have it you're hooked. I don't even use my hooded dryer anymore, and if my steamer broke today, I would buy a new one, just because I'm so used to it by now, not so much the effects it brings my hair.

I didn't think to use it with henna. Did your mom put on a plastic cap before she steamed? I think I want to try this on my next henna.

I refuse to use a dryer. I just hate them. One of the reasons I am glad I am no longer relaxed. The steamer for me is no where near as bad.

 

[greenandchic]

I found this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-Hair-Dryer-Soft-Hood-Bonnet-Attachment-/300599983678?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45fd27be3e#ht_1113wt_1187


It doesn't use steam but you could use it w/plastic cap.

Hmmmm, I wonder...

Might be worth it to invest in a steamer at a certain point. My hand dryer is more square, not round so it probably wouldn't fit.

 

[LoveCraze]

I didn't think to use it with henna. Did your mom put on a plastic cap before she steamed? I think I want to try this on my next henna.

I refuse to use a dryer. I just hate them. One of the reasons I am glad I am no longer relaxed. The steamer for me is no where near as bad.

faithVA I use my steamer when I henna and I don't have to leave it in nearly as long as I see others do. No more than an hour and I get good color transfer. I agree that a steamer is soo much better than a dryer plus it's good for the skin.

But to answer the question, I wouldn't say it is Necessary for naturals, but it sure helps. My hair just doesn't feel the same without it.

 

[faithVA]

StephElise[/USER];14243213]@faithVA I use my steamer when I henna and I don't have to leave it in nearly as long as I see others do. No more than an hour and I get good color transfer. I agree that a steamer is soo much better than a dryer plus it's good for the skin.

But to answer the question, I wouldn't say it is Necessary for naturals, but it sure helps. My hair just doesn't feel the same without it.

So when you henna under the steamer do you wear a plastic cap? or cover your hair at all?

I currently only henna for 2 hours but if I can reduce it to 1 hour and steam at the same time I will take it.

 

[LoveCraze]

So when you henna under the steamer do you wear a plastic cap? or cover your hair at all?

I currently only henna for 2 hours but if I can reduce it to 1 hour and steam at the same time I will take it.

No, I don't use a plastic cap.

 

[faithVA]

No, I don't use a plastic cap.

Thanks. Will definitely give this a try.

 

[LilMissSunshine5]

Thanks for this thread OP! I have been going back & forth about getting a steamer...but the benefits to my scalp is what really have me intrigued! If it will help my dermatitis, I'm sold Ugh...I have been researching brands & am afraid of making a wrong decision about which one to get It is a big investment for me I don't want the Huetiful one bc if it is uncomfortable to use, I won't use it! I was thinking of getting a stand alone one so I can adjust the height/angle, but will that fit in my closet (it is a small walk in closet)?!?!

Do any of you ladies have a stand alone one & where do you store it? Also, has anybody bought a steam tent? I know it sounds ridic, but as I was researching, I saw a site with that & thought I could steam my hair & get a facial at the same time!!! It's a win win

 

[itsallaboutattitude]

I too am looking at steamers (all year this has been on my wish list). eBay has a few listed and wanted to know if anyone see's and issue with purchasing a steamer that uses tap water vs one that requires distilled water?

 

[faithVA]

I too am looking at steamers (all year this has been on my wish list). eBay has a few listed and wanted to know if anyone see's and issue with purchasing a steamer that uses tap water vs one that requires distilled water?

I have the huetiful steamer which uses tap water. You can use distilled water but it isn't neccessary. Since I don't always have distilled water on hand I prefer it. It may require it be cleaned a little more often but that isn't hard to do.

If I had to have distilled water I know I would use it less.

 

[Lynnerie]

I say no. I have one but if you condition overnight the effects are the same. Now my steamer just takes up space in my already crowded closet.

 

[HappilyLiberal]

Thanx ladies.

The home grown steam treatment works for me so I do not intend to buy a steamer. I have hooded dryer that works plus the hooded dryer will allow me to dry my rollersets before I flat iron.

 

[Nix08]

The stand alone ones are better but they do take up room and likely will not fit in a small closet if you have other things in there. I keep mine in my guest room. When looking for a steamer the basic things you want are that there is some sort of temperature control (low/high is sufficient) and I think you want it to cover most of your head (I don't believe the huetiful does that). Also regardless of if it says you may use tap water it's a good idea to still use distilled water (it's not that expensive just inconvenient) to prolong the life of the steamer. Just my 2 cents

 

[itsallaboutattitude]

Nix08 thanks for your response.

 

[itsallaboutattitude]

Lynnerie what kind of steamer do you have? Is it a floor model? You looking to sell?

faithVA thanks for your response.

 

[NaturalEnigma]

I didn't think to use it with henna. Did your mom put on a plastic cap before she steamed? I think I want to try this on my next henna.

She didn't use a plastic cap. I was scared she was going to get dye on the hood, but her hair wasn't dipping with dye after sitting under the steamer like I thought it would.

 

[blueberryd]

When iwas relaxed i wasnt impressd w the steamer n sold it...now that im natural i LOVE it and just bought anothr one..plan on using it weekly

 

[mzteaze]

Do any of you ladies have a stand alone one & where do you store it? Also, has anybody bought a steam tent? I know it sounds ridic, but as I was researching, I saw a site with that & thought I could steam my hair & get a facial at the same time!!! It's a win win

I have my standalone steamer currently in my basement. I also have stand dryer (Pibbs type) in my office. I am in the process of setting up a dedicated area for my stuff tho.

I bought a steamer off of Amazon. I called the company over a leak issue and received a full refund but didn't have to return the steamer. I fixed the issue using a nylon backpack and hand weights (the steamer design is top heavy and it simply needed a counterbalance).

 

[LilMissSunshine5]

Ok, I jumped in & finally just purchased one before I used the money on other things I got the LCL Pro-150 stand alone version on sale for $88! It has a one year warranty, so I figured I didn't have much to lose That is how much I used to spend on a salon appointment with tip SMH (Ok, I spent $70 at my hairdresser, but you get the point LOL) I can't wait to try it out! Has anybody used Joico Moisture Recovery Conditioner under the steamer as a DC? I get nervous about disobeying the instructions It only says leave on for 1 minute & rinse...I never cared about following directions before joining LHCF/going natural But I Joico & would be thrilled if I could use it with steaming bc it already works miracles on my hair w/o it

Here is the link for the one I bought:

http://lclbeauty.com/products.php?cat=9

 

[TaraDyan]

I bought a stand-alone steamer a couple of years back, but it broke down on me and I swore I would never get another one. I made due with using a tourbie towel doused in hot water and then put a plastic cap over that to do my steam treatments. I also frequently did overnight deep conditioning. Both of these work-arounds worked well for me, but they both have their drawbacks.

But then last weekend, I bought a Huetiful Hair Steamer at the Natural Hair Show here in Atlanta. I used it for the first time last night; maaaaaaaaaaan, I forgot how much I like steaming my hair. I used the steamer for 20 minutes, and then rinsed the conditioner from my hair. My hair felt fantastic!!! I was able to detangle in 2 minutes flat and it felt like silk. It's still super moist today.

So the answer is no, a steamer isn't absolutely necessary. However, if you have the discretionary funds, then I don't see a problem with getting one.

 

[Lynnerie]

Lynnerie what kind of steamer do you have? Is it a floor model? You looking to sell?

faithVA thanks for your response.

It is the one mentioned in this thread
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=222197&highlight=steamer

I am going to keep it cause its nice when you dont want to sleep in conditioner and I use it when I'm doing other people's hair. I see it as an investment if you are doing a lot of hair but for myself I'm just don't use it as much as I should.

 

[darlingdiva]

No! Don't own one and don't plan to own one! I want to steam my hair, I put a shower cap on my head 80s style and let mother nature do its thing! Real talk. If I am getting it for free, then that is another story....

But naw bruh, I can get a 12 pack of shower caps at Dollar Tree. Bump dat!

Mmmhmm...and the plastic bags under my sink are f-r-e-e.

The answer to this question will vary from person to person, but I haven't found steaming to be a necessity for me. In fact, I find that it starts to make my hair somewhat mushy if I do it too often on a monthly basis.

 

[Sunrise]

Not really.

I usually get the same effects from either carrier bag/Conditioning cap and or, carrier bag with a dry towel wrapped around it and go about my bizness for a hour or two.

I haven't been under a steamer in decades and the last time I gave myself a steam treatment, I was at a Sauna.

 

[hola_lo2002]

I can't say it's necessary, but it sure helps with keeping the hair well moisturised

 

[Valerie]

I bought a steamer and it is worth the money!

 

[AKA-Tude]

Y'all have just about convinced me that this
contraption would be good,
if for no other reason than the
better feeling moisturized scalp.

Been cruisin' eBay & I found a couple
that may be the ticket.

I'm in no hurry though
cuz I gotta figure out where to store it!