OMG! My stylist insisted that I...

[blac_quarian]

USE HEAT! I had my touch-up today after a successful 15 week stretch (my first). My sylist was impressed with the general condition of my hair and the amount of NG, however, when I told her that I hadn't used any heat since my last touch-up in January, she was mortified and far from impressed!! I was shocked at her reaction. She went on to inform me that it is not a good idea to complete airdry the hair and in fact, hair REQUIRES heat in order for the cuticle to close and seal. She insisted that I nix the airdrying immediately and continue roller setting but sit under the dryer for AT LEAST 20 minutes with the option to airdry after that time. Has anyone ever heard this? She guarantees that I will see a vast improvement in the smoothness and softness of my hair. I think my hair is plenty smooth and soft, especially after ACV/honey/cold water rinses! Any thoughts from you experienced LHCF ladies? Thanks!

 

[dimpalz]

I think shes just mixed up, I got the impression that hair works just like pores, heats opens and cold closes. I could be wrong tho. But I know for sure you don't NEED heat.

 

[HairQueen]

I disagree. Once I stopped using direct heat and airdrying the need for direct heat can be eliminated i.e. I no longer blowdry soaking wet hair and / or using the curling iron, when I go to the hairdressers I do get a wrap set under the hood dryer but at home I airdry most of the time.

I can airdry my hair now and it comes out completley straight because the damaged hair is going. I am also slowly cutting off the years and years worth of heat damaged ends I had until evenutally there will be none left and it will all be healthy.

My belief is that once you get into a cyle of heat you keep needing to use it because your ends are frizzy, so you use heat to smooth them out and really you are just damaging them more so they get more frizzy and then have to cut them.

 

[blac_quarian]

I think shes just mixed up, I got the impression that hair works just like pores, heats opens and cold closes. I could be wrong tho. But I know for sure you don't NEED heat.

That's what I thought, but I didn't argue the point with her. I even stated that a cold water rinse closes the cuticle, right? And she said, "no - water doesn't do that." I don't get it. I think my hair has been thriving since I ceased using direct heat - shoot!

 

[aileenadq]

Contrary to popular belief, the cuticle of hai does not open or close. Skin does because there are muscles (more like cells) that allow the pores to open so we can sweat better, and thus cool off.

Hair is like nails- dead. But, I WILL add that heat is detrimental because once the hair shaft is full of water, a very high heat can cause the water to "boil" and expand rapidly, causing the hair to "explode" mid shaft.

So, no. If not heat is working for you, stick to it!

 

[~*~ShopAholic~*~]

As long as YOU see improvement in your hair, then keep on doing what you've been doing.

That's what I thought, but I didn't argue the point with her. I even stated that a cold water rinse closes the cuticle, right? And she said, "no - water doesn't do that." I don't get it. I think my hair has been thriving since I ceased using direct heat - shoot!

 

[dimpalz]

Hair is like nails- dead. But, I WILL add that heat is detrimental because once the hair shaft is full of water, a very high heat can cause the water to "boil" and expand rapidly, causing the hair to "explode" mid shaft.

Whats the point of a cold water rinse then?

 

[ladybug71]

As long as YOU see improvement in your hair, then keep on doing what you've been doing.

ITA with what she said! If it works for you, then keep it up!

 

[anatomicallycorrect]

Boy, I swear. Why don't we just stop calling them "hairdressers" and start calling them "hairdamagers".
I was in Walgreens just now looking at this girl w/medium length hair, but I noticed her ends were dry and she had some old highlights in a very few places and that hair was all damaged and dried up. It made me flashback to the "good" hairdresser I went to based on a recommendation. The one who said it would be oh so fine to have a relaxer, highlights AND dye in my hair and that is when my hair got dry just like hers and broke off and I had to get it cut to about 1 1/2 inches. And I came to the conclusion that all of the damage and destruction ever done to my hair has come at the hands of hairdressers. That's why I really want to learn how to self-relax b/c just like they say "I can do bad by myself!"

 

[CreoleInDC]

Boy, I swear. Why don't we just stop calling them "hairdressers" and start calling them "hairdamagers".

ITA!

 

[Sistaslick]

Contrary to popular belief, the cuticle of hai does not open or close. Skin does because there are muscles (more like cells) that allow the pores to open so we can sweat better, and thus cool off.

Hair is like nails- dead. But, I WILL add that heat is detrimental because once the hair shaft is full of water, a very high heat can cause the water to "boil" and expand rapidly, causing the hair to "explode" mid shaft.

So, no. If not heat is working for you, stick to it!

How would the hair shaft become full of water?

Because the cuticles of the hair can lift, separate, and close. This is what allows us to relax, color, and otherwise chemically treat our hair. If cuticles did not open or close we would not be able to do any of those processes. How would these chemicals ever reach the cortex to break bonds? If our cuticles didn't lift, our hair would be an indestructable force, and we would never again have split ends because the imbrications (the spaces between the cuticles) would be forever sealed/shut. There would be no such thing as porosity without the cuticles lifting and closing. Though the hair is dead, it still responds to changes in pH and temperature.

Our hair is dead, but it lengthens when its wet, it expands as it dries, hardens with the addition of protein, etc. It is still a physical object that reacts and responds to changes in environment. You don't have to be alive to respond to change.

 

[Supergirl]

Blaq,

If you have successfully mastered the air-dry then keep at it!

 

[caligirl]

How would the hair shaft become full of water?

Because the cuticles of the hair can lift, separate, and close. This is what allows us to relax, color, and otherwise chemically treat our hair. If cuticles did not open or close we would not be able to do any of those processes. How would these chemicals ever reach the cortex to break bonds? If our cuticles didn't lift, our hair would be an indestructable force, and we would never again have split ends because the imbrications (the spaces between the cuticles) would be forever sealed/shut. There would be no such thing as porosity without the cuticles lifting and closing. Though the hair is dead, it still responds to changes in pH and temperature.

Our hair is dead, but it lengthens when its wet, it expands as it dries, hardens with the addition of protein, etc. It is still a physical object that reacts and responds to changes in environment. You don't have to be alive to respond to change.

How do I get my cuticles to close? Cold water rinses only make my hair hard.

 

[Sistaslick]

Well, a cold water rinse should help tighten and close the cuticle layers. Some times I notice it more than other times. Usually if i've used a good slippy conditioner, the results are better. Thats a more mechanical means of closing them.

You can also close them by taking advantage of the hair's response to pH. Acidifying (low pH) products and quick homemade rinses like apple cider vinegar will temporarily help close the cuticles.

 

[blac_quarian]

Well, a cold water rinse should help tighten and close the cuticle layers. Some times I notice it more than other times. Usually if i've used a good slippy conditioner, the results are better. Thats a more mechanical means of closing them.

You can also close them by taking advantage of the hair's response to pH. Acidifying (low pH) products and quick homemade rinses like apple cider vinegar will temporarily help close the cuticles.

Sistaslick! I'm glad U chimed-in this one - so what's your advice regarding the heat requirement and closing of the hair's cuticles? Is it true?

 

[Sistaslick]

Sistaslick! I'm glad U chimed-in this one - so what's your advice regarding the heat requirement and closing of the hair's cuticles? Is it true?

This is yet another one of those things I'm still trying to sort out in my mind In general heat causes things to swell and lift-- which is why deep conditioning with heat allows the conditioner to penetrate the cuticle layers faster/better.

But if you read the materials that come along with ceramic flat irons/ionic dryers in particular-- they utilize some type of negative ion technology that supposedly seals/closes the cuticle. The premise is that they reduce the excess positive charges on the hair that cause frizzy, unmanageable hair, and help lay the cuticle flatter to give the beautiful shine you get. It just seems contradictory though. I do know from personal experience that all heat isn't created equal-- my blowdryer for instance makes my hair feel puffy, dull and dry like straw even on the cold shot and low heat settings--- but my FHI makes my hair feel soft, silky, and shiny. It seems that the type of heat in this instance makes a difference.

But, I don't know chile! Still perplexed about that one. Thats why I just stick with air drying as my preferred method of drying. Less hair loss, less fuss.