Avoiding Heat Damage while straightening

I plan on Straightening my hair a few times during the colder months with the Maxiglide steamer iron. Due to being very afraid of heat damage, I have to get my stuff in order now. I've met a natural before who said she used the chi to straighten her hair and got it bone straight. She did say she used a heat protectant, but still suffered enough heat damage to make her look permed after a few months which resulted in her BC only 14months after her first BC. I don't plan on facing that problem.

So here's the question. If you straighten your hair, but it does not get bone straight from direct heat, is there still a possibility of damage? Also, If you do get it bone straight but from a hooded dryer is the possiblity of heat damage still there?

Thanks yall. I'm not getting tired of my curls yet. I just want to get my Beyonce on

I was able to get my hair bone straight with no heat damage and using low heat.
First I wash and deep condition my hair. Then I do the cheat roller-set. Lastly, I flat ironed on low heat when my hair has dried. It's time consuming but the results were worth it and my curls popped right back into place with the next wash.

Cheat roller-set: http://maneandchic.blogspot.com/2008/09/cheat-set-ponytail-rollerset.html

I only straighten about once every 3 and I haven't experienced heat damaged. I let my hair air dry as much as possible without tangling. I flat iron on the lowest setting possible. I use the Instyler. I ALWAYS use a heat protectant. And I don't necessarily straighten for a bone straight look. I do it to minimize tangles. I maintain the straightness with wraps, braid or twist sets, and bantu knot outs.

Thanks ladies for chiming in.

Tia: I do plan to do the cheat rollerset (saw it first in your fotki) with a hooded dryer, then flat iron the next day (I'm lazy).

MzBush: Thanks, It's good to know you can have the best of both worlds with no damage.