texasqt
Well-Known Member
Using Heat Safely/TURNING UP THE HEAT with...
Well, G. Garvin (the chef) probably won't be visiting LHCF any time soon (I even think he's bald), so we have to settle for just me! I've searched high and low for a thread on this and I could not find one, so I decided to create one since a lot of us use heat more than we'd probably want to admit.
In your response, please answer the following 3 questions:
1. How often do you use heat?
2. What’s your heat regimen/what appliances do you use and how?
3. What products do you use/recommend?
Now first, the purpose of this thread is not to promote the use of heat in any way (we do what works best for our individual hair). The purpose of this thread is to discuss the proper way to utilize direct heat that's whether you use it once a year or twice a week.
Secondly, my disclaimer is that I do not have a PhD in hair care. I am only sharing what I know from experience and likewise, I hope that you will share your experiences about using direct heat (i.e. blow dryers, curlers, flat irons, hot combs).
With those things said, let us move forward!
Before using any type of heat, your hair should always be freshly washed and deep conditioned. Never apply heat of any kind to dirty hair or hair with many products applied to it. More will be included on what you should and should not apply to your hair below.
Direct heat is involving the use of blow dryers, curling irons, flat irons, and hot combs. These are the most common heat appliances that come in direct contact with the hair. A hood dryer is not considered a direct heat appliance and is probably the safest heat appliance available. But for heat's sake, let's start with hood dryers.
HOOD DRYERS
Great for deep conditioning, special treatments, drying hair, and wet/roller sets. There are several types available from hard hats to soft bonnets and from regular heat to steam to ionic. None that I can think of have been reported to cause damage to the hair. (Please correct me if I’m wrong). Ionic dryers claim to have healthier benefits such as sealing the cuticle for smoother hair. If you are drying your hair or roller setting with a hood dryer, you may find it beneficial to moisturize and seal with an oil prior to. In addition, even though you are not using direct heat, it does not hurt to add a heat protector prior to as well. If you must use heat, roller setting is believed to be the best route to maintaining healthy hair.
But for those of us who love direct heat let's move on to the nitty gritty!
It is highly recommended that you limit your direct heat usage to one appliance. In other words, you should not blow dry and then flat iron (if you can help it). Air-drying and flat ironing helps to minimize your heat usage and most times, you can achieve the same results. In order to do so, you may have to modify the products you are using prior to. Products such as Redkens Smooth Down or John Frieda's Frizz Ease can help with this. Using the hood dryer instead of the blow dryer is a better alternative if you plan to flat iron. (Please add other products that you would recommend).
In my past, I use to flat iron my hair straight the night before and then go back over my hair with a curling iron the next morning because I didn't know how to curl with the flat iron. Big no-no, especially if you are using the curling iron on a high heat setting. Try to modify this by rolling the hair over night, pin curling, or investing in a Caruso Steam Roller Set.
BLOW DRYERS
I haven't used a blow dryer in a while, but in times of emergencies, a blow dryer is my friend. Blow dryers come in a variety of types: standard, ionic, and ceramic are to name a few. The ionic dryers use negatively charged ions rather than positive ions emitted by standard dryers in order to help preserve the hair's moisture and dry hair more quickly. Ceramic dryers provide more even heat and most times have more temperature regulators to prevent damage. Blow dryers also come with several different attachments for different styling needs (drying, conditioning, straightening, diffusing, etc.). Be sure to invest in a good blow dryer, preferably a ceramic or ionic one.
Using a blow dryer properly can aid in avoiding heat damage. As stated before, you should only use a blow dryer on freshly washed and deep conditioned hair and you may want to incorporate heat-activated products and heat protecting sprays like 911 heat protector in your regimen.
(Following found on the web): To use the dryer effectively, direct the hot air flow down the strands from the root toward the tip; reversing the direction will inflate hair follicles and cause frizzy, dull hair. For more even heat application and control, keep the dryer at least eight inches from hair at all times, unless the styling technique specifically calls for closer use. Wrapping hair around a wide brush can help control the strands to apply heat evenly and add volume. Do not apply heat to the hair or length for long periods of time and keep both the dryer and the hair moving to prevent concentrating the heat in one location (end web info).
As stated before, you should try to use only one direct heat appliance, if your goal is to minimize heat. So if you are blow drying, you should plan to wear your hair in a bun or other protective style that does not require additional heat. Additionally, to limit the amount of heat that is applied, you may allow your hair to dry naturally from wet to damp before using a blow dryer. Because a blow dryer is very drying to the hair, you may also find it beneficial to not completely dry your with the blow dryer. Never dry your hair stiff. This would mean that you have depleted most, if not all, of the moisture from your hair. Try to keep the dryer further away from your hair to help prevent scorching, and try to use the lowest possible heat setting to accomplish your style. And definitely don't forget to moisturize and seal afterwards.
Continued...
Well, G. Garvin (the chef) probably won't be visiting LHCF any time soon (I even think he's bald), so we have to settle for just me! I've searched high and low for a thread on this and I could not find one, so I decided to create one since a lot of us use heat more than we'd probably want to admit.
In your response, please answer the following 3 questions:
1. How often do you use heat?
2. What’s your heat regimen/what appliances do you use and how?
3. What products do you use/recommend?
Now first, the purpose of this thread is not to promote the use of heat in any way (we do what works best for our individual hair). The purpose of this thread is to discuss the proper way to utilize direct heat that's whether you use it once a year or twice a week.
Secondly, my disclaimer is that I do not have a PhD in hair care. I am only sharing what I know from experience and likewise, I hope that you will share your experiences about using direct heat (i.e. blow dryers, curlers, flat irons, hot combs).
With those things said, let us move forward!
Before using any type of heat, your hair should always be freshly washed and deep conditioned. Never apply heat of any kind to dirty hair or hair with many products applied to it. More will be included on what you should and should not apply to your hair below.
Direct heat is involving the use of blow dryers, curling irons, flat irons, and hot combs. These are the most common heat appliances that come in direct contact with the hair. A hood dryer is not considered a direct heat appliance and is probably the safest heat appliance available. But for heat's sake, let's start with hood dryers.
HOOD DRYERS
Great for deep conditioning, special treatments, drying hair, and wet/roller sets. There are several types available from hard hats to soft bonnets and from regular heat to steam to ionic. None that I can think of have been reported to cause damage to the hair. (Please correct me if I’m wrong). Ionic dryers claim to have healthier benefits such as sealing the cuticle for smoother hair. If you are drying your hair or roller setting with a hood dryer, you may find it beneficial to moisturize and seal with an oil prior to. In addition, even though you are not using direct heat, it does not hurt to add a heat protector prior to as well. If you must use heat, roller setting is believed to be the best route to maintaining healthy hair.
But for those of us who love direct heat let's move on to the nitty gritty!
It is highly recommended that you limit your direct heat usage to one appliance. In other words, you should not blow dry and then flat iron (if you can help it). Air-drying and flat ironing helps to minimize your heat usage and most times, you can achieve the same results. In order to do so, you may have to modify the products you are using prior to. Products such as Redkens Smooth Down or John Frieda's Frizz Ease can help with this. Using the hood dryer instead of the blow dryer is a better alternative if you plan to flat iron. (Please add other products that you would recommend).
In my past, I use to flat iron my hair straight the night before and then go back over my hair with a curling iron the next morning because I didn't know how to curl with the flat iron. Big no-no, especially if you are using the curling iron on a high heat setting. Try to modify this by rolling the hair over night, pin curling, or investing in a Caruso Steam Roller Set.
BLOW DRYERS
I haven't used a blow dryer in a while, but in times of emergencies, a blow dryer is my friend. Blow dryers come in a variety of types: standard, ionic, and ceramic are to name a few. The ionic dryers use negatively charged ions rather than positive ions emitted by standard dryers in order to help preserve the hair's moisture and dry hair more quickly. Ceramic dryers provide more even heat and most times have more temperature regulators to prevent damage. Blow dryers also come with several different attachments for different styling needs (drying, conditioning, straightening, diffusing, etc.). Be sure to invest in a good blow dryer, preferably a ceramic or ionic one.
Using a blow dryer properly can aid in avoiding heat damage. As stated before, you should only use a blow dryer on freshly washed and deep conditioned hair and you may want to incorporate heat-activated products and heat protecting sprays like 911 heat protector in your regimen.
(Following found on the web): To use the dryer effectively, direct the hot air flow down the strands from the root toward the tip; reversing the direction will inflate hair follicles and cause frizzy, dull hair. For more even heat application and control, keep the dryer at least eight inches from hair at all times, unless the styling technique specifically calls for closer use. Wrapping hair around a wide brush can help control the strands to apply heat evenly and add volume. Do not apply heat to the hair or length for long periods of time and keep both the dryer and the hair moving to prevent concentrating the heat in one location (end web info).
As stated before, you should try to use only one direct heat appliance, if your goal is to minimize heat. So if you are blow drying, you should plan to wear your hair in a bun or other protective style that does not require additional heat. Additionally, to limit the amount of heat that is applied, you may allow your hair to dry naturally from wet to damp before using a blow dryer. Because a blow dryer is very drying to the hair, you may also find it beneficial to not completely dry your with the blow dryer. Never dry your hair stiff. This would mean that you have depleted most, if not all, of the moisture from your hair. Try to keep the dryer further away from your hair to help prevent scorching, and try to use the lowest possible heat setting to accomplish your style. And definitely don't forget to moisturize and seal afterwards.
Continued...
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