Should I flat iron?!? Opinions!

[drappedup]

Good morning.

So basically I have not used a flat iron on my hair for exactly a month (yeah, I know, not too long), but it's driving me crazy! I have never gone this long without either a relaxer (which I've been getting regularly since I was 5, and my last one was in December), or using my flat iron (which I used at the end of Feb). My hair is frizzy and starting to curl, and I'm dying to know how much growth I've had, because I know it has definitely grown! Plus I can't stand frizz. erplexed I really am tempted to. I'm just so used to straight hair ya guys. I've had my hair straight since I was 5. So this is torture and something I'm not used to. I've tried using flexi rods and stuff to maybe spice up my hair lately, but I feel like my hair is too short to wear down curled. I like how I look with curled/wavey hair, but only when I'm able to be at least shoulder length with it. Right now I'm chin length, so I just don't like the look. Hence why my STRONG urge to flat iron is coming in. I'm just curious. What should I do? I swore off flat irons in February. I feel like I would have come all this way (which is a long way for a newbie! lol) just to use heat on my hair. I feel like my hair is stronger and healthier than ever, and I've definitely experienced growth and minimized some of my breakage, but I do not want to ruin things with using a flat iron!

Should I? How big of a regress would this be if I did maybe use a flat iron? I should add I threw away my flat iron in Feb, lol. It was about a year old anyways, was completely worn, and only cost about 20 something. I could easily buy a new one (it was an andis). Okaaay I'm done rambbling. I feel like maybe I'm just having a bad hair day where I'm doubting myself. ;(

 

[drappedup]

Feel like I'm trying to convince myself >.<

Okay, I think I am going to go out and buy my new flat iron. I don't think I can survive without at least a LITTLE heat on my hair. I just like how I look better. Besides, my hair has grown in the past with relaxers and heat.... ;(

 

[Je Ne Sais Quoi]

I think it should be ok to flatiron Just use the proper heat setting and make sure you use a protectant.

 

[lboogie2679]

Do you blowdry and flatiron? Maybe you can try airdrying and flat-iron lightly with one pass. I think its all about finding a happy medium without sacrificing your ultimate goal. Sometimes we need to take baby steps and the fact that you are stretching is a major accomplishment!

 

[Nonie]

Before you flat iron, my advice would be to take the time to find threads on flat-ironing and make sure you take all the precautions you can and ensure you have a good technique so you can have the least chance of damaging your hair.

The wrong technique can take you back to square one so get it right the first time and you'll feel better about your choice.

 

[SEMO]

Do you blowdry and flatiron? Maybe you can try airdrying and flat-iron lightly with one pass. I think its all about finding a happy medium without sacrificing your ultimate goal. Sometimes we need to take baby steps and the fact that you are stretching is a major accomplishment!

I agree. And you should maybe try a good heat protectant on your hair. I personally like Beyond the Zone Turn Up the Heat (from Sally's).

 

[BlackGeisha]

Your hair will be fine, just insure that you do a good DC before and after.

 

[Adaoba2012]

Well if you really don't want to flat iron maybe you could get some braids or find some other type of way to hide your hair until the end of your stretch...that way you won't be tempted to use heat.

 

[drappedup]

Well guys I ended up not doing it! I just couldn't bring myself to! Plus, I was just being silly....my hair looked kinda cute chin-length and super curled. I've never had it as curly AND short-looking at the same time as I did today, but after a while it sort of grew on me. I still think it doesn't suit my face as well as straight hair, but I can definitey keep going. I think I want to try to go at least another month with no heat or anything. Then maybe I will flat iron out of curiosity, just to check length.

 

[mscocoface]

Well good for you. Keep enjoying the natural look.

 

[drappedup]

Do you blowdry and flatiron? Maybe you can try airdrying and flat-iron lightly with one pass. I think its all about finding a happy medium without sacrificing your ultimate goal. Sometimes we need to take baby steps and the fact that you are stretching is a major accomplishment!

No, I don't blow dry or flat iron anymore. I think the reason I'm so paranoid about using a flat iron again even if I take "precautions" is because I feel like I have finally settled into a groove! It may be a "basic" and "newbie" one, but I feel like I'm comfortable with what I've been doing and like it's really been working. So pretty much I don't want to suddenly add something ELSE into the mix (and something that I know has screwed me over in the past >.<), and then regress back to where I was when I started. But thanks! I am definitely going tiny baby steps at a time. I think that's why I decided not to after all. I feel like now that I'm in a groove, have been getting noticeable results, and am overall comfortable I should keep it going for a while longer until it's time to try something new. Definitely not "time" yet.

 

[drappedup]

Before you flat iron, my advice would be to take the time to find threads on flat-ironing and make sure you take all the precautions you can and ensure you have a good technique so you can have the least chance of damaging your hair.

The wrong technique can take you back to square one so get it right the first time and you'll feel better about your choice.

Yeah, good idea! I am definitely going to look up way more on flat ironing. I started to do that this morning when I was debating whether or not to, but I couldn't find what I was looking for. At least I have a while longer now that I'm pushing it back til I'm genuinely "ready".

Sounds so dramatic, lol.