Natural_Girl
New Member
pressing your hair or getting it chemically relaxed??? Why??
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What causes more damage...
- Thread starter Natural_Girl
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AKAngel904
New Member
for me it was getting it pressed. My ends were horrible and had to cut about 4 inches from my hair when I finally got a retouch. I dont know why, my hairdresser just told me that was what had my ends messed up.
Ayeshia
New Member
[ QUOTE ]
AKAngel904 said:
for me it was getting it pressed. My ends were horrible and had to cut about 4 inches from my hair when I finally got a retouch. I dont know why, my hairdresser just told me that was what had my ends messed up.
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I know excatly what your talking about. My ends were horrible. But my hair was still long which I find it hard to believe. I dont think Ill ever press my hair again. I may just flat iron...or if worst comes to worst Ill texturize. I refuse to sizzle my hair just to get it str8
AKAngel904 said:
for me it was getting it pressed. My ends were horrible and had to cut about 4 inches from my hair when I finally got a retouch. I dont know why, my hairdresser just told me that was what had my ends messed up.
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I know excatly what your talking about. My ends were horrible. But my hair was still long which I find it hard to believe. I dont think Ill ever press my hair again. I may just flat iron...or if worst comes to worst Ill texturize. I refuse to sizzle my hair just to get it str8
chicamorena
Member
For me it was pressed. I've only been relaxing my hair for 2 years and it is in a lot better shape than it was when I pressed it. I used to press my hair every 2 weeks and it was too much. I relax my hair every 10-12 weeks. So I see it as damaging my hair less often.
brittanynic16
Well-Known Member
I think they are both bad. But, I notice regular people who press usually have more length and fullest than regular folks with relaxers.
Nay
Well-Known Member
What was most damaging for me was the heat from every day use of heat tools like my plug-in curling iron. I still press my hair when the mood hits (about once every other month), and I haven't experienced any damage from that, that I can tell.
But my family members have experienced serious breakage with relaxers and bad hair care habits in general! So, I guess, they both can be hazardous to your hair sometimes.
But my family members have experienced serious breakage with relaxers and bad hair care habits in general! So, I guess, they both can be hazardous to your hair sometimes.
They are both bad if done too often, incorrectly and over long periods of time. I guess it depends on your individual hair. Some people's hair are just able to withstand high heat and harsh chemicals with very little damage. But ive noticed on some women who press that it leaves their hair fuller with more body than some who relaxed because over time constant touch ups and overlapping caused their hair to be thin and overprocessed.
on a side note i prefer the flat iron to the hot comb because after using both i realized that the hot comb has the tendency to tear the hair out which leads to to thin ends. by using the flat iron i lessened breakage by 90% because the hair is not subjected to being pulled through thin metal teeth.
on a side note i prefer the flat iron to the hot comb because after using both i realized that the hot comb has the tendency to tear the hair out which leads to to thin ends. by using the flat iron i lessened breakage by 90% because the hair is not subjected to being pulled through thin metal teeth.
<font color="purple">I believe they both can be very damamging on the hair. For example, on the package of relaxer, it says that hair has been lightened with bleach or if the hair has breakage should not use it. That spells trouble. As far as heat goes, avoid it at all costs. I blowdry my hair on occaision, and I used to press my hair with a hot comb. I don't bother with it anymore. </font>
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babyblue said:
They are both bad if done too often, incorrectly and over long periods of time. I guess it depends on your individual hair. Some people's hair are just able to withstand high heat and harsh chemicals with very little damage. But ive noticed on some women who press that it leaves their hair fuller with more body than some who relaxed because over time constant touch ups and overlapping caused their hair to be thin and overprocessed.
on a side note i prefer the flat iron to the hot comb because after using both i realized that the hot comb has the tendency to tear the hair out which leads to to thin ends. by using the flat iron i lessened breakage by 90% because the hair is not subjected to being pulled through thin metal teeth.
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ITA
babyblue said:
They are both bad if done too often, incorrectly and over long periods of time. I guess it depends on your individual hair. Some people's hair are just able to withstand high heat and harsh chemicals with very little damage. But ive noticed on some women who press that it leaves their hair fuller with more body than some who relaxed because over time constant touch ups and overlapping caused their hair to be thin and overprocessed.
on a side note i prefer the flat iron to the hot comb because after using both i realized that the hot comb has the tendency to tear the hair out which leads to to thin ends. by using the flat iron i lessened breakage by 90% because the hair is not subjected to being pulled through thin metal teeth.
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ITA
Supergirl
With Love & Silk
Good question. I guess it depends on how often the procedure is done. For example, I would say that it's better to relax your hair every 12 weeks than to press it every week or every 2 weeks. I have a cousin who is natural, but goes to the salon weekly to get her hair blown out and flat-ironed. And it comes out so straight so I know that the heat is high. Thus, she's not really reaping any benefits of being natural.
I do think that flat ironing is better than pressing because the comb actually manipulates the strands more than a flat iron would. On the same note--I think that blow drying with a comb attachment or brush is more harmful than just blow drying the hair without any styling tools.
I do think that flat ironing is better than pressing because the comb actually manipulates the strands more than a flat iron would. On the same note--I think that blow drying with a comb attachment or brush is more harmful than just blow drying the hair without any styling tools.
sengschick
The Bun Master
I would say heat has caused so much damage to my hair. I firmly believe it's the reason I've gained and then lost so much lenght in my short little life. I finally had to relent and get texturized. I absolutely love it and am happy that I'm not a slave to the dryer and flat iron. I can't press, so I flat ironed and I think the stress on the ends made them snap more than just plain old pressing would have. But that's just my opinion. I don't like the pressing comb b/c it seems like it's 400 degrees! Especially in a salon and I hate the smell and sound of my burning hair.
I'm all done w/that.
Supergirl
With Love & Silk
Another thought...
With relaxing, you put the relaxer on the new growth and then that hair is never chemically treated again (if done correctly with minimal to no overlapping).
But with pressing, each time you press--you run the comb over the same hair that was pressed last time.
With relaxing, you put the relaxer on the new growth and then that hair is never chemically treated again (if done correctly with minimal to no overlapping).
But with pressing, each time you press--you run the comb over the same hair that was pressed last time.
ms_kenesha
New Member
[ QUOTE ]
Supergirl said:
Another thought...
With relaxing, you put the relaxer on the new growth and then that hair is never chemically treated again (if done correctly with minimal to no overlapping).
But with pressing, each time you press--you run the comb over the same hair that was pressed last time.
[/ QUOTE ]
Good point. But most who relax still use heating implements at least once a month.
I think if I ever get a chem. process again I'd get a texturizer...the best of both worlds.
Supergirl said:
Another thought...
With relaxing, you put the relaxer on the new growth and then that hair is never chemically treated again (if done correctly with minimal to no overlapping).
But with pressing, each time you press--you run the comb over the same hair that was pressed last time.
[/ QUOTE ]
Good point. But most who relax still use heating implements at least once a month.
I think if I ever get a chem. process again I'd get a texturizer...the best of both worlds.
MelloYello
New Member
[ QUOTE ]
Supergirl said:
Good question. I guess it depends on how often the procedure is done. For example, I would say that it's better to relax your hair every 12 weeks than to press it every week or every 2 weeks. I have a cousin who is natural, but goes to the salon weekly to get her hair blown out and flat-ironed. And it comes out so straight so I know that the heat is high. Thus, she's not really reaping any benefits of being natural.
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This was my problem for 6 years! I was "natural" but constantly using heat to get my hair straight. My hair was as dry as the Sahara and I had no idea how to handle it myself.
It really comes down to deciding if you want to wear your hair in it's natural state (kinky, coily wild, etc.) or wear it straight on aregular basis.
I decided that I just like my hair straight more than I do curly (just like my brunette friend likes her hair blonde rather than it's natural brown color
) so I went back to relaxing... and boy am I glad!
Supergirl said:
Good question. I guess it depends on how often the procedure is done. For example, I would say that it's better to relax your hair every 12 weeks than to press it every week or every 2 weeks. I have a cousin who is natural, but goes to the salon weekly to get her hair blown out and flat-ironed. And it comes out so straight so I know that the heat is high. Thus, she's not really reaping any benefits of being natural.
[/ QUOTE ]
This was my problem for 6 years! I was "natural" but constantly using heat to get my hair straight. My hair was as dry as the Sahara and I had no idea how to handle it myself.
It really comes down to deciding if you want to wear your hair in it's natural state (kinky, coily wild, etc.) or wear it straight on aregular basis.
I decided that I just like my hair straight more than I do curly (just like my brunette friend likes her hair blonde rather than it's natural brown color
[ QUOTE ]
Supergirl said:
Good question. I guess it depends on how often the procedure is done. For example, I would say that it's better to relax your hair every 12 weeks than to press it every week or every 2 weeks. I have a cousin who is natural, but goes to the salon weekly to get her hair blown out and flat-ironed. And it comes out so straight so I know that the heat is high. Thus, she's not really reaping any benefits of being natural.
I do think that flat ironing is better than pressing because the comb actually manipulates the strands more than a flat iron would. On the same note--I think that blow drying with a comb attachment or brush is more harmful than just blow drying the hair without any styling tools.
[/ QUOTE ]
My mom and sister and both naturals. They regularly (every 2 weeks) go to the salon to have their hair blow dried and curled straight. They both have very healthy hair. My mom "keeps" her hair at shoulder length and my sister has waist-length layered hair. I guess it just depends...
Supergirl said:
Good question. I guess it depends on how often the procedure is done. For example, I would say that it's better to relax your hair every 12 weeks than to press it every week or every 2 weeks. I have a cousin who is natural, but goes to the salon weekly to get her hair blown out and flat-ironed. And it comes out so straight so I know that the heat is high. Thus, she's not really reaping any benefits of being natural.
I do think that flat ironing is better than pressing because the comb actually manipulates the strands more than a flat iron would. On the same note--I think that blow drying with a comb attachment or brush is more harmful than just blow drying the hair without any styling tools.
[/ QUOTE ]
My mom and sister and both naturals. They regularly (every 2 weeks) go to the salon to have their hair blow dried and curled straight. They both have very healthy hair. My mom "keeps" her hair at shoulder length and my sister has waist-length layered hair. I guess it just depends...
Natural_Girl
New Member
Thanks SOOOOOOOOO much for your feedback, everyone!
MUCH to consider.
Right now, I'm trying to stay away from direct hear/chemcials (I use a hooded dryer for my weekly deep treatments) for th enext few months and hopefully would be in a position to make a decision.
I love my kinks and curls but also love when it is straight - I feel so sexy/feminine when my hair is flowing down my back. BUT I was getting it pressed every 2 weeks - hair smelling burnt - mind you, she was deep conditioning it each time - it was when she moved away and I had to do it myself or get it done by a stylist who new nothign about my texture of hair that I believe inflicted so much damage - my hair was breaking ridiculously!
Ten, there's the rainy/windy/humid/summer swimming days that I really love my natural hair!
I'm considering a texturizer but don't want to be soo commited to getting chemical touchups on a regular basis.
We'll see what I decide after the next few months...
MUCH to consider.
Right now, I'm trying to stay away from direct hear/chemcials (I use a hooded dryer for my weekly deep treatments) for th enext few months and hopefully would be in a position to make a decision.
I love my kinks and curls but also love when it is straight - I feel so sexy/feminine when my hair is flowing down my back. BUT I was getting it pressed every 2 weeks - hair smelling burnt - mind you, she was deep conditioning it each time - it was when she moved away and I had to do it myself or get it done by a stylist who new nothign about my texture of hair that I believe inflicted so much damage - my hair was breaking ridiculously!
Ten, there's the rainy/windy/humid/summer swimming days that I really love my natural hair!
I'm considering a texturizer but don't want to be soo commited to getting chemical touchups on a regular basis.
We'll see what I decide after the next few months...
when my hair was natural, i used to get it pressed every two weeks. The press came out perfect every time but i feel as though using high amounts of heat on even natural hair can be extremely damaging. It also altered my texture somewhat, as in, it made my ends straight and i had no real curl pattern..it was weird. However when my hair was pressed straight it was nice and thick compared to the relaxer girls hair. I just eventually got tired of being a slave to the pressing comb and stressing if i got my hair wet. I like my relaxed hair because its straight and i dont have to work hard to get it that way, other than touch ups every three months. i feel like damage every three months(relaxing/chemicals) is better than damage every two weeks(pressing/hot comb).
H
honey_jammz82
Guest
I think it depends, if you press your hair too frequently you are likely going to have damage.
Ideally relaxers do not overlap, underprocess, or overprocess. How many times does that happen?
For me I don't relax because I like my natural texture, I also like to experiment with color.
I think it depends on the person and their hair, if you know your hair flourishes with a relaxer...keep on, and vice versa, it is relative.
Ideally relaxers do not overlap, underprocess, or overprocess. How many times does that happen?
For me I don't relax because I like my natural texture, I also like to experiment with color.
I think it depends on the person and their hair, if you know your hair flourishes with a relaxer...keep on, and vice versa, it is relative.
Over time pressing will also change the "texture" of your hair. My mom would always say the more you press your hair the better"trained" it will be. What happens is that the bonds are relaxed "so much" that they don't return to there original shape (unlike a relaxer where they're permenantly broken).
The reason why relaxers became popular is the same reason you decided to cross over to the creamy crack, what some natural hair girls call it, so did I LOL. They where tired of having to press every two weeks. But it's six in one hand half a dozen in the other, there are good and bad points to both.
The reason why relaxers became popular is the same reason you decided to cross over to the creamy crack, what some natural hair girls call it, so did I LOL. They where tired of having to press every two weeks. But it's six in one hand half a dozen in the other, there are good and bad points to both.
Irresistible
New Member
well for me
a relaxer =damaged, breaking, thin hair for years
an occasional press= healthy, thriving natural hair.
a relaxer =damaged, breaking, thin hair for years
an occasional press= healthy, thriving natural hair.
brittanynic16
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Donda said:
Over time pressing will also change the "texture" of your hair. My mom would always say the more you press your hair the better"trained" it will be. What happens is that the bonds are relaxed "so much" that they don't return to there original shape (unlike a relaxer where they're permenantly broken).
The reason why relaxers became popular is the same reason you decided to cross over to the creamy crack, what some natural hair girls call it, so did I LOL. They where tired of having to press every two weeks. But it's six in one hand half a dozen in the other, there are good and bad points to both.
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you are going to get it for this one. watch out!
Donda said:
Over time pressing will also change the "texture" of your hair. My mom would always say the more you press your hair the better"trained" it will be. What happens is that the bonds are relaxed "so much" that they don't return to there original shape (unlike a relaxer where they're permenantly broken).
The reason why relaxers became popular is the same reason you decided to cross over to the creamy crack, what some natural hair girls call it, so did I LOL. They where tired of having to press every two weeks. But it's six in one hand half a dozen in the other, there are good and bad points to both.
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cherish
New Member
I think when done regularly (every 8-10 weeks for the relaxer/texturizer, every 1-2 weeks for the press) and long term, they are about the same.
Long term, regular pressing may seem to be less damaging because the ill effects appear as "training" of the hair, which may be the desired result.
Long term, regular pressing may seem to be less damaging because the ill effects appear as "training" of the hair, which may be the desired result.
honeycomb719
New Member
My edges are thriving more while relaxed, than it was when I was natural. This slightest bit of humidity would get my edges all in a bunch, LOL. So, that meant I had to keep the edges nice and str8 if I was trying to pull off a style that required it.
Natural_Girl
New Member
Thanks all!
deeplyrooted
New Member
they're equally damaging to me.
GodMadeMePretty
Well-Known Member
This was bumped on the right day. I was just thinking I needed some encouragement on my quest to figure out what's going to be best for me.
