Straightening hair and avoiding heat damage

Fellow curlies, I know many are interested in length checks and normally achieve this by straightening the hair. Sometimes, people want a change from the world of curls and desire a straight style. In the process of straightening (whether by a stylist or DIY approach), sometimes heat damage is an unintended consequence. Here are a couple of videos that may be helpful. Also, feel free to chime in with your techniques, precautions, products, or lessons learned you feel could be beneficial to other curlies. LeobodyC5 states she only uses Maxiglide. Perhaps others have comments on this tool or other tools they feel are good choices.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OncskKKu8KU&feature=fvwrel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoGCcW4DLR4&feature=relmfu

Great post!

OOOh that same thing happened to me in 2001. I had this older lady I worked with straighten my hair w/a stove iron....NEVER again!!! She burned the hell outta my hair. Even after 3 washes the curls never came back so I BC all over again. I thought she knew waht she was doing cuz she hot combed her own hair all the time and hers was always nice. Boy was I wrong!!!! But anyway, I straigjhten my own hair now with a CHI and haven't had any damage ever with it!!

Misskris, do you use anything for heat protection? Just curious. Some people don't use anything. Some ppl use grapeseed oil, shea butter, commercial heat protectant sprays, serums, etc. LeobodyC5 doesn't use anything and her hair looks very healthy.

i have done both. but the last time i blow dried it i used that iC in the hot pink bottle. i think i like it. but i haven't used it to flat iron yet. i thought about using grapeseed oil but haven't bought any yet. never used shea as a heat protectant yet either. i hear that grapeseed oil has the highest burn point so it's good for flat ironing. But I haven't seen it in the store (haven't looked for it though really). Leobody's hair is absolutely gorgeous. She's on my list on youtube. I think it's ok though to not use anything when using a ceramic iron. At least that's what I heard. They say that the ceramic uses the natural oils in your hair so you don't need any extra oils. I never had any problems when I did it with nothing.

I have a maxiglide and I love it. Whenever I straighten I only use EVCO.

@ Misskriss...What chi do you use? Is it the one that is has heat adjustable dials?

Hey Ladies!
This could possibly be a silly question but I'll ask anyway..Are you flat ironing while it is dry or damp?I know from experience using a blow dryer can add EXTRA heat damage.So I'm just curious to know if you're towel drying before you flat iron?

I don't think its a silly question. I flat iron only on dry hair since that is what my flat iron is designed for. I have a suspicion my hair would not come out very straight if I attemped it otherwise.

I have midstrand splits. I asked my stylist to DT it and flatiron it for a trim (and length check).

Ah, Vanity

I noticed more breakage the following week.

This may seem like a dumb statement, but do not flat iron your hair if you're experiencing splitting.

On my list to research but just thinking about it a little, ladies have used petroleum/mineral oil based ""hair grease"" to "press" natural hair for many decades. This heavy "grease" did protect the hair from damage, added sheen, and allowed the pressing comb to move freely down the hair strands. So, using an oil to protect the hair from heat does not seem strange to me and I am game to try it some time in the future when I am more educated on this and am comfortable with the proper oil.