Prepping for heat

[AngelForLove]

I don't use heat anymore except for when I go to the hairdresser. I plan on using a curling iron next week though and I want to know what I can do to protect my hair, particularly the ends. I would prefer to do something which would not require me to buy a new product which I will probably only use 2 or 3 times a year. Any ideas?

 

[Tracy]

The first thing you can do is time how long you have the curling iron on each section. According to Cathy Howse, direct heat should stay on the hair no longer than 20 seconds. I actually count and never go over 10 seconds per section.

The smaller the sections the better because larger sections take longer to curl - and so require more heat to achieve the same result.

The other thing you can do I read recently - I'm not sure where exactly - is that you can place the curling iron in the MIDDLE of the shaft FIRST and then slide it down to the ends so that your ends don't get all the heat first and longest. Seems small - but it sounds like a good idea to me.

 

[AngelForLove]

Thanks Tracy!

Do you think I should put any product specifically on my ends?

 

[chocochiquita86]

i rarely use heat on my hair, usually only a few days after washing and air drying it, but when i do i just spray my hair w/proclaim thermal styling protector (i think that's the name), then i oil my hair w/a light liquid oil, put a little infusium on it, and brush it all through. finally, i use a curling iron 2 straighten AND style it all @ once. the straightness and light curls usually last until the next washing if i just tie a silk scarf on my head every night b4 bed.

 

[zora]

20 seconds

I've heard 3-4 seconds. I guess this is assuming you're using a flat iron, but 20 seconds for a curling iron is too long IMHO.

 

[Tracy]

I personally think whatever you are going to use on your hair should be used before it's dry. i feel like things applied directly to the ends will "bake" into the hair if applied right before the heat. I prefer it to be an overall leave in protection barrier rather than something like an oil or a cream. You don't want to cook your hair.

Zora - that's what the the book said and I don't think it's a great idea either - which is why I only do it for less than 10 seconds.

 

[AngelForLove]

Okay! Thanks again