Straight Hair Natural's Support Thread

[ScorpioBeauty09]

I have seen alot of threads about naturals who are thinking of wearing their hair straightened more often or most of the time. I for one do not think that regular heat usage on natural hair has to be damaging. I look at my great-aunts who pressed their hair weekly most of their lives and had waist length or longer hair when they were younger and now keep it at APL in their 80's. I think that alot of understanding of how to use heat has bee n lost. Maybe those who use heat and still have healthy hair can share thier knowledge. Also, those of use who have some unfortunate setbacks can share their knowledge so that others do not make the same mistakes. Also, any reversion friendly hairstyle tips would be helpful. Alot of us are at a loss what to do when our hair starts poofing. If we can learn to work with the semi-straight we can reduce our heat usage and keep from having to trim so often.

I'm so glad I found this thread!! After wearing my hair in braids until I was 16 I started pressing and still press every 2-3 weeks except during the summer months. When I first came to LHCF I thought I would have to stop pressing and go back to braids full time which I really didn't want to do. But I switched up my regimen and I've been having monster growth that has my stylists impressed. I've been a little lazy lately since I'm in law school but hopefully when finals are over I'll be able to get fully back on track. I'm washing my hair tonight so after my hair is pressed I'll see if I can find time to post pictures. I'm in the BSL challenge for 2011 and I need to compare pics from a couple months ago.

 

[keelioness]

I'm so glad I found this thread!! After wearing my hair in braids until I was 16 I started pressing and still press every 2-3 weeks except during the summer months. When I first came to LHCF I thought I would have to stop pressing and go back to braids full time which I really didn't want to do. But I switched up my regimen and I've been having monster growth that has my stylists impressed. I've been a little lazy lately since I'm in law school but hopefully when finals are over I'll be able to get fully back on track. I'm washing my hair tonight so after my hair is pressed I'll see if I can find time to post pictures. I'm in the BSL challenge for 2011 and I need to compare pics from a couple months ago.

How have u changed ur reggie? I'm asking because i'm pressing every 3-4 weeks so far and hope that wont be too rough on my hair..also u say u dont press in the summer? what do u do? I'm thinking of weave for the summer..TIA

 

[EllePixie]

I know that your hair can still look healthy if you straighten, ie, not breaking, still retaining length, etc, but most of the naturals I talk to who straighten weekly or biweekly tell me that their hair does not revert back to its curly state anymore. That's what I am worried about - is there anyone who straightens frequently who has no problem going back to their original texture (not loosened)?

That being said...I straightened my hair again, this time doing the comb chase method, and it came out MUCH better - however, my hair super thick, so a few minutes after I am done with my flat iron, it's already begun to grow - I got in ONE pic (lol) before it started getting really big so I just put it in two little kid braids, and will probably do more braids tonight for a braid out.

 

[UrbainChic]

I am considering going straight for the winter, but I am terribly afraid of heat damage on my curls.

Do you straight naturals follow up with protein treatments after all your straightening? currently don't incorporate any protein into my routine, but was thinking that doing so would be a good way to have a proactive approach to keeping heat damage at bay. Thoughts?

 

[EllePixie]

I am considering going straight for the winter, but I am terribly afraid of heat damage on my curls.

Do you straight naturals follow up with protein treatments after all your straightening? currently don't incorporate any protein into my routine, but was thinking that doing so would be a good way to have a proactive approach to keeping heat damage at bay. Thoughts?

Always do a PT after. I am protein sensitive, but if I straighten, the first thing I do when I go back to curly is a PT. But, I will say I don't do a heavy one like Aphogee, just a light one - usually I use AO GPB.

 

[Rocky91]

i can definitely attest to a protein treatment being essential for regular straightening. i've been using quite a bit of heat to blend with this weave, and protein is keeping my hair strong and healthy.
i use the aphogee 2-minute, and i also use a yogurt and egg mixture.

 

[ScorpioBeauty09]

I have seen alot of threads about naturals who are thinking of wearing their hair straightened more often or most of the time. I for one do not think that regular heat usage on natural hair has to be damaging. I look at my great-aunts who pressed their hair weekly most of their lives and had waist length or longer hair when they were younger and now keep it at APL in their 80's. I think that alot of understanding of how to use heat has bee n lost. Maybe those who use heat and still have healthy hair can share thier knowledge. Also, those of use who have some unfortunate setbacks can share their knowledge so that others do not make the same mistakes. Also, any reversion friendly hairstyle tips would be helpful. Alot of us are at a loss what to do when our hair starts poofing. If we can learn to work with the semi-straight we can reduce our heat usage and keep from having to trim so often.

How have u changed ur reggie? I'm asking because i'm pressing every 3-4 weeks so far and hope that wont be too rough on my hair..also u say u dont press in the summer? what do u do? I'm thinking of weave for the summer..TIA

Flat ironing every 3-4 weeks with a heat protectant shouldn't be too rough but every person's hair is different. Try it out and see how you're hair does.

The major new thing in my reggie is I've started deep conditioning for at least an hour every time I wash with Pantene's Breakage Defense (Beautiful Lengths) Conditioner. That got my hair retaining length pretty quickly. I also started taking vitamins, especially B-Complex and making sure my hair is moisturized at all times, particularly at the ends.

I don't press during the summer because I swim so I get it braided for at least a month when I'm on vacation. But if you don't wants braids then a weave would be fine just make sure it's a good one that doesn't pull too much on the hair.

Hope this helps.

 

[keelioness]

Thanx for ur reply Scorpio

 

[zamaih]

I know that your hair can still look healthy if you straighten, ie, not breaking, still retaining length, etc, but most of the naturals I talk to who straighten weekly or biweekly tell me that their hair does not revert back to its curly state anymore. That's what I am worried about - is there anyone who straightens frequently who has no problem going back to their original texture (not loosened)?

That being said...I straightened my hair again, this time doing the comb chase method, and it came out MUCH better - however, my hair super thick, so a few minutes after I am done with my flat iron, it's already begun to grow - I got in ONE pic (lol) before it started getting really big so I just put it in two little kid braids, and will probably do more braids tonight for a braid out.

I flat iron my hair every week to 2 weeks (or rollerset) and my hair reverts every time. I deep condition under my steamer after every wash and use CHI silk infusion & motions heat protector spray. I've had no problem with heat damage, In the past I did because I was using the flat iron everyday. I'm really gentile with my hair and do a lot to protect it from the heat I use.

 

[zamaih]

I flat iron my hair every week to 2 weeks (or rollerset) and my hair reverts every time. I deep condition under my steamer after every wash and use CHI silk infusion & motions heat protector spray. I've had no problem with heat damage, In the past I did because I was using the flat iron everyday. I'm really gentile with my hair and do a lot to protect it from the heat I use.

Oh and I use Aphogee 2 minute reconstructor at least once a month. I'm MBL btw, a couple inches from WL.

 

[EllePixie]

I flat iron my hair every week to 2 weeks (or rollerset) and my hair reverts every time. I deep condition under my steamer after every wash and use CHI silk infusion & motions heat protector spray. I've had no problem with heat damage, In the past I did because I was using the flat iron everyday. I'm really gentile with my hair and do a lot to protect it from the heat I use.

Zamaih thank you SO MUCH! I'm looking at your blog - awesome information! I am terrible at straightening, but I really want to be able to have versatile natural hair without ruining my curl pattern and needing to transition again.

And your hair is beautiful!

 

[zamaih]

Zamaih thank you SO MUCH! I'm looking at your blog - awesome information! I am terrible at straightening, but I really want to be able to have versatile natural hair without ruining my curl pattern and needing to transition again.

And your hair is beautiful!

Aww thanks!

 

[fluffyforever]

So, I decided that I want to be a heat straightened natural. I just chopped my BSL/MBL hair to 1.5 - 2 inches all around last week. I couldn't deal with the SSK and regular knots. So this time around, I plan on keeping my ends straight. This should help me retain more length too. I figure that I could get back to BSL/MBL in half the time (2 yrs) it took me to get there the first time (4 yrs).

I have 2 problems when straightening, however. I cannot get my ends to separate and stay that way before I flat iron and my straight hair has no weight and doesn't lay down.

Does anyone know of a good tutorial for blow drying? I figure that blow drying my ends would help separate and pre straighten them before flat ironing. I tried the comb chase method on stretched hair, but my hair won't keep going thru the comb without catching. I need semi straight hair before I can comb chase. I also tried the tension method when blow drying, but that doesn't get my ends separated either.

 

[zamaih]

So, I decided that I want to be a heat straightened natural. I just chopped my BSL/MBL hair to 1.5 - 2 inches all around last week. I couldn't deal with the SSK and regular knots. So this time around, I plan on keeping my ends straight. This should help me retain more length too. I figure that I could get back to BSL/MBL in half the time (2 yrs) it took me to get there the first time (4 yrs).

I have 2 problems when straightening, however. I cannot get my ends to separate and stay that way before I flat iron and my straight hair has no weight and doesn't lay down.

Does anyone know of a good tutorial for blow drying? I figure that blow drying my ends would help separate and pre straighten them before flat ironing. I tried the comb chase method on stretched hair, but my hair won't keep going thru the comb without catching. I need semi straight hair before I can comb chase. I also tried the tension method when blow drying, but that doesn't get my ends separated either.

Here's a good blowdrying video

YouTube - SalonCabelo's Channel

She uses a denman brush. I usually use the tension method but if I want it really straight, I'll use a denman brush to blowdry.

 

[Rocky91]

bump bump bump.
question: has anyone used elasta qp's mango butter on their straight hair?? i'm scared to try it, because my hair gets weighed down so easily, but i've heard of it being good.

i'm due for a flat-iron job probably next week. i plan to wear my hair straight during finals, because it's quicker to just unwrap and go, rather than take down my twists, arrange my hair etc. can't wait to see if i've retained length since my last length check.

 

[LaFemmeNaturelle]

Thanks! I was just looking for this. I straightened last week and was able to get my natural hair bone straight. Most if not all of my ng has reverted because I had dance class Monday but the good thing is I don't have heat damage. So my technique is a keeper!

For anyone who's interested, I washed with Nutrine Garlic Shampoo (for shedding) and then Nexxus Therappe. I t-shirt dried for about 15-20 minutes and then applied a mixture of tresemme moisture rich and silk elements mega cholesterol using the relaxer method. I left this in for at LEAST 5 hours but not really sure. Detangled in 6 sections and rinsed. T-shirt dried and then applied GVP Redken Anti-Snap and Sabino Moisture Block in 12 sections and braided each section. I airdried overnight and then the next day I flat ironed on 395 with two passes. Pics are in my album.

Rocky91, I've never tried the elasta qp mango butter I just used oil sheen or a serum to lubricate my hair.

 

[HairLiberty]

I just found this awesome thread!

I have fine hair and my curls are 4a, so straightening really helps me avoid knots and tangles. I follow this method...
How to Straighten Natural Hair - Do-It-Yourself | Hair Liberty :: Free Yourself

I don't comb chase because I don't like the breakage that comes with it. I let them comb chase when I go to the salon for my trim, but that's it.

@fluffyforever: Wrap lotion or mousse will help your hair ends separate and not get tangled on each other. The ingredient to look for is polyquaternium-11.

@Rocky91: Elasta QP mango butter is light and it leaves my hair pretty soft. HTH

 

[keelioness]

Nice blog hair liberty. Thank you.

 

[PrissyPJ]

Hi ladies, I have decided to try to keep my natural hair straight during the winter. I have soft, fine, 4b hair. Can someone recommend something that might work for moisturing that wouldn't weight my hair down? Thanks,

 

[dlove]

Hi ladies, I have decided to try to keep my natural hair straight during the winter. I have soft, fine, 4b hair. Can someone recommend something that might work for moisturing that wouldn't weight my hair down? Thanks,

Wild Hair Growth Oil in the yellow bottle

 

[darlingdiva]

Hi ladies, I have decided to try to keep my natural hair straight during the winter. I have soft, fine, 4b hair. Can someone recommend something that might work for moisturing that wouldn't weight my hair down? Thanks,

Jane Carter Solution Nourish & Shine

 

[EllePixie]

***Bumping for heat trainers*** I know it's not exactly the same but it's similar.

 

[Ltown]

I've always had frizzy hair relaxed and natural, so thanks for bumping. I'm not press with straight hair because I workout and sweat alot but any information I get is helpful.

 

[HairLiberty]

Hi ladies, I have decided to try to keep my natural hair straight during the winter. I have soft, fine, 4b hair. Can someone recommend something that might work for moisturing that wouldn't weight my hair down? Thanks,

Thank you for the compliment Keelioness!

Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum is the answer to your question, PrissyPJ. It has a special silicone in it that can penetrate the hair shaft... "trimethylsil..."
The overall effect is like moisturizing with coconut oil but w/o the greasiness.

Whenever I straighten my hair for a business trip, I take PM SSS with me and use it the whole time. I have very fine hair, so the fact that I can use it for a week without build up seems like a miracle!

Ok, ladies I told you my secret! If I start to have trouble finding it in stores, I know who to blame!

 

[CrownCola]

***Bumping for heat trainers*** I know it's not exactly the same but it's similar.

Thanks. This, find a"similar" a type of thread is what I've grown accustomed to, with the limited info floating 'round.
It would be nice to see a support thread for heat trainers (sans the controversy).


Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Long Hair Care Forum App

 

[LaFemmeNaturelle]

Gonna straighten my hair Saturday but I will deviate from what I normally do. I'm going to blowdry this time and use only one pass of the flat iron. Someone once said that amount of reversion decreases with the use of a blowdryer versus air drying. I'm also going to use French Perm Stabilizer as my final condition in order to close the cuticles. Another suggestion to prevent reversion. Will post comparison pics this weekend.

 

[ajargon02]

Okay ladies, I have a question.

How do you wrap your hair?

I have tried it, but I cannot get it to do right.

The last time I tried to wrap my hair it was abot 4-5 inches long.

If there is a demo or tutorial that you can point me to, I would appreciate it.

I too struggle with wrapping. This is what I have found

YouTube - How to Wrap Your Hair With a Scarf

 

[ajargon02]

Any suggestions on products to prevent puffiness? I mean immediately after I flat iron sometimes my hair puffs up, it straight but it is very light and fluffy if that makes sense.

This is the issue that I am having. I KNOW EXACTLY what you mean. The last time I got my entire hair straightened was like 5-6 yrs ago and that was done in the salon. I am trying this DIY, but it's not workin out too well. So I continue reading on to see what I am doing wrong.

 

[Napp]

This is the issue that I am having. I KNOW EXACTLY what you mean. The last time I got my entire hair straightened was like 5-6 yrs ago and that was done in the salon. I am trying this DIY, but it's not workin out too well. So I continue reading on to see what I am doing wrong.

i havent figured this out either. when i use little to no products i get my hair straight but its puffy,flies everywhere and goes outward.ZERO hangtime and my hair feels crispy on top of that. for the life of me i do not know what im doing wrong.i tried rollersetting with a leave in and my hair got very straight but it had no movement.

that is why i started to use pressing oil. i get movement and my hair hangs down and isnt puffy. i would like to have good dry press results just so i can have an option but i have a feeling it just doesnt work on my kind of hair.

 

[ADB]

I'm natural but I prefer to flat iron or press my hair. For me it's just easier to take care of straightened and it's low maintenance. I've never had a problem with heat. As a teenager I would get my hair pressed every 2 weeks. I currently get it pressed once a month. I find that my ends are much thicker and don't split much when I only get a press once a month. My hair stylist uses some type of serum on my hair as a heat protectant before she presses it. My old hair stylist use to use Paul Mitchell Serum. Both work well and my hair comes out silky. My presses have always lasted at least a month. My hair is 3C , 4A'ish. At night I oil my hair either with Coconut oil, Amla Oil, or Paul Mitchell's Serum. Then I'll braid it and put on my satin cap.