Straightening Natural Hair

So I've decided to straighten my hair for the first time since being natural. But I have some questions.

My plan is to wash and band my hair to stretch it. Then blow dry. Then flat iron my 4b hair. But...

1. I know that I need to use a heat protectant. But at what point should I apply it?
2. Should I apply it when wet before I band it?
3. Should I apply it again in between the blow dry and the flat iron?
4. Should I only apply it before I flat iron?
5. Should I skip the banding step or at least not let my hair dry in the bands?
6. Is it safe to blow dry the hair when wet or should I do it damp or dry?
7. Since I'm banding do I really need to blow dry. Or should I just comb out and flat iron from there?
8. Suggestions on a good heat protectant?

I know this is alot of questions but I really need details. Lol.

Yes, that is a lot of questions LOL

This is what I do:
1. Wash
2. Deep Condition
3. Roller-set
4. Flat iron

I don't blow dry because using the flat iron is enough direct heat. I roller-set to stretch and that has helped with decreasing the amount of time it takes to flat iron. I apply my heat protectant to each section just before flat ironing.

I use IC Fantasia Heat Protector straightening serum

So then perhaps I should just band, let it dry and and then flat iron? If I band in small sections my hair should be stretched enough. Then apply the heat protectant. Then flat iron.

Thanks so much Tia!

I say as long as you can get a good stretch with the banding then you don't need to worry about the blow dry step. Just apply heat protectant and flat iron. If you were to opt for the blow dry step then definitely do it on damp, not soaking wet hair. I'd add heat protectant during both steps. I like the idea of a spray before the blow dry and then a serum type one before the flat iron.

Yes alot of ?'s indeed. LOL. I do what Tia do but I skip #3. Instead, if I know i'll be flat ironing my hair I do two strand twist let air dry then flat iron the next day. I use profectiv mega growth as a heat protectant right before ironing. This way works for me when it comes to straightening. HTH

What kind of flat iron do you guys use? I'm in the market for one (I think). And at what temp setting?

I use an Andis ceramic flat iron
http://www.andis.com/USA/productsPopUp.asp?ID=67180

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It goes up to setting of 20, I don't use it over 10.

I use CHI it's an older model.

Thanks everyone for all your advice. I think I know what I will do now.

results? i hope they went well for you

Hey ladies, can I ask a question here? How many times a year do you flat iron? How long does the straight hair last before you wash and go back to natural curls?

I straighten my hair about once or twice a year. Back in the day I used to do it once every three months, but heat damage made me stop. If I'm not working out and the weather is cold, I can rock straight hair for about 10 days. Once I choose to work out, its a rap (I don't like the look of puffy roots and straight ends) b/c I sweat like a beast. lol. If the weather is hot and/or humid, straight hair only lasts like 5 days before it looks like a puffy mess.

About 1-2 times a year for me. I always miss my curls after all the work and the is the main reason I don't do it often.

It's funny this topic came up because I just got my hair straightened yesterday (air drying, then flatiron) and I'm already missing my curls. This probably will only a few days before I start doing knot outs or something.

tiashaunteé wrote:About 1-2 times a year for me. I always miss my curls after all the work and the is the main reason I don't do it often.

I cant wait to see your straightening video tutorial...hint, hint!

I have a question...

I brought a 1" Chi awhile back before I decided to go natural and it doesn't have temperature settings on it. I did some research on it and the standard setting is 310 - 320 something like that. I also read in a few places that we shouldn't go over 300 because heat damage can be incurred and ruin the curls. Should I ebay my flat iron for one with heat settings?? (which sucks because I paid a pretty penny for it)

tpayne22 wrote:I have a question...

I brought a 1" Chi awhile back before I decided to go natural and it doesn't have temperature settings on it. I did some research on it and the standard setting is 310 - 320 something like that. I also read in a few places that we shouldn't go over 300 because heat damage can be incurred and ruin the curls. Should I ebay my flat iron for one with heat settings?? (which sucks because I paid a pretty penny for it)

I have an Andis flat iron and it does not have heat settings. I have the 1-20 number settings. Does the CHI have that? I haven't used one (nor plan too) so I am not to sure how the settings work on them. Are they adjustable?

No the one I have doesn't adjust. You just flick it on and let it heat up. But I do know there are some that do. The Chi turbo has heat settings. I don't know if its in temp or numbers but I assume even it did just have numbers it correlates to the different temperatures the iron can achieve. I actually just found my manual and its set at 300 varying up to 320.

Should natural hair only be iron and a temperature lower than 300 to not receive damage?

tpayne22 wrote:No the one I have doesn't adjust. You just flick it on and let it heat up. But I do know there are some that do. The Chi turbo has heat settings. I don't know if its in temp or numbers but I assume even it did just have numbers it correlates to the different temperatures the iron can achieve. I actually just found my manual and its set at 300 varying up to 320.

Should natural hair only be iron and a temperature lower than 300 to not receive damage?

I am not sure about the temp range to use but I know that mine is never hotter than I can touch with my hand. 300° sounds like it is way too hot. I wouldn't use it.

@ tiashauntee Yea you are probably right. Parting is such sweet sorrow. Gosh