Do NOT use the flat iron to curl your hair with. Why? The hair stays in contact with the flat iron for too long of a period of time. Also, according to my findings, after the third time using the flat iron to curl with- your hair stops holding curls. Consider using a curling iron with adjustable temperature settings to curl your hair. It will give you more body the next day.
Do NOT use the flat iron if you any type of allergic reaction to the scalp from surgery, medicine, etc. Why? According to my findings, the flat iron seems to reactivate the allergy symptoms and may cause hair to shed. The main concern is the scalp. If you have long hair and your roots are straight, and you just want to pass the flat iron through a few ends of long hair for a quick styling touchup, then you should be safe. If you have short hair or curly hair - I would completely avoid the flat iron until there is no chance of activating an allergy.
Do NOT use the flat iron on the same day as a relaxer service. Why? According to my findings, relaxers and flat irons are a bad mix. Many blame the relaxer for their hair problems. The relaxers can be a potential issue, but more than likely the flat iron is causing the thinning of the ends and possible breakage. Without a relaxer, regardless of your race, flat irons can cause hair to thin, get stringy and break.
Do NOT use the flat iron to straighten really curly hair. Why? Most people have to pass the flat iron through sections of curly hair over and over again to try to straighten out the waves. I have found that these multiple passings are doing more long-term internal damage to the hair shaft and overexposing the scalp to any "radiation-type" side effects since the roots usually present the most resistance in straightening. This scalp "overexposure" can result in shedding. The hair should be blowdried as straight as possible before using the flat iron. Ideally, the hair should require one pass through of the flat iron to get you your desired straightness.
Do use heat protection serums and sprays when using the flat irons. Why? They will help prolong the potential damage to the hair.
Do try lower temperatures first before using a high temperature on your flat iron. Why? Fine hair and chemically treated hair are advised not to use the flat irons on high at all. Also, when using a curling iron, I used to never turn the curling iron to maximum so why should a flat iron be used at top temperatures? If your curling iron dial goes from 1 to 25. Try 13 to 17 range. Most of the time, that is all the heat that anyone will need.
Please consider going flat iron free for two months. No cheating at all. Promise? If you do not see a difference in the one inch of new growth compared to the previously flat ironed hair - then go back to your flat iron. If you do see a difference, then remain flat iron free and grow the flat iron damaged hair out.
I down for this cause! I own a sedu iron and though I love how my hair looks after ward I noticed my soft and fine always smells burnt and looks very thin after flat iron use. Question though, if I wanted to smooth my roots after a roller set what else could I use beside a flat iron.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Before the flat irons came on the market, we were using big barrel curling irons or a temple pressing comb. These items are still good options for smoothing out the roots. They are not infrared heat; just direct heat. Start on low to medium temperature and hold until you can feel the heat through the hair on your fingers by touching the hair on the barrel of the iron with your fingers. Hopefully, I explained this clearly enough.
ReplyDeleteI got ya! I found one I think you might approve of it's called Hot Tools Pink Titanium Spring Curling Iron-1" ...
ReplyDeleteTitanium is a good material! And it's a curling iron - Great job Chenoe123! If you can find one with the "marcel closure" versus the "spring closure" may be easier to control long term for full curling from end to root. The closure is a personal choice for handling purposes only. Please see my article on marcel closures for more details.
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