HELP!!! Serious question about what to do about heat damage.

[FAMUDva]

Many know that I'm transitioning...

I'm loving my transition and had been doing GREAT for the last 10 months... until now This month makes 11 months into my transition.

So what happened was, I had been taking care of my hair at home flat ironing maybe 1-2 times a month when I wanted to having swinging hair, and bunning/ pony when I did not. I've had 2 Dominican blow outs in the last 11 months and with my home flat ironing and the DBOs I've had no problem what so ever with my hair kinking back up with shampoo time. As a matter of fact I started falling in love with my new growth by month 8 or 9.

Then... fast forward to October! In preparation for my wedding, I went to my old stylist and had her flat-iron my hair and it looked great. that was the first week in October. When I shampooed my hair I noted that some parts in the front were TOTALLY straight! BUT, I had to get my hair done for my wedding 2 weeks later. At that time she flat ironed and pinned curled it. Beautiful hair at the wedding... but fastforward and now when I shampoo my hair it looks like I've had a complete relaxer for the front half of my head!

I'm so PISSED! My hair was more loosely curled in the front any way (probably because I pull it back often), but now it won't kink AT ALL! I don't plan to BC until Dec 09 or June 10 (2 yrs or 2.5 yrs post relaxer).

- What oh what can I do (if anything to get my waves/curls/kinks back? Or is it a lost cause?
- Why did her straightening method cause permanent straightening when it was not the case for 10 months before that?

And, YES, my search feature works, and YES I did use it (there are 12 topics on naturals/transitioners who press) but I have a specific question...

 

[TCatt86]

First off congrats on the marriage!!!! I love to hear about people getting married.

You may be able to get the curl back. There may still be some product on the hair. So first I would give my hair a good clarifying, then I would do a protein treatment, then I would deep condition like it's nobody's business. I would suggest deep condition maybe three times this week. Also what I do to get my curl back is I style my hair in curly styles for about a month, it's almost like I'm training my hair to hold a curl. I hope it works out for you.

 

[JustKiya]

1) Moisture and protein, moisture and protein - lots of it, and consistently. It might be a lost cause though, so prepare yourself for that.

2) I would guess it's because heat damage is cumulative. Each time you use it, it damages just a wee bit more (and even if it's a tiny bit of damage, it's still inflicting some damage even if you use heat protectants/'proper use'/etc) until your hair gets to a point where it's damaged enough to go straight.

I know that I have a very dim view of heat use, and there are some who can use it for years without making their hair straight - *shrug* - but it seems like they are the few and far inbetween ones.

Congrats on the marriage!

 

[FAMUDva]

Pics:

Transitioning hair in May 08 (5 months post)

Oct press (wedding day hair)

My most of the time hair (July 08)

I don't have a current pic now that my new growth is completely straight in the front; but just imagine pic # 1 without the wavy stuff

 

[FAMUDva]

First off congrats on the marriage!!!! I love to hear about people getting married.

You may be able to get the curl back. There may still be some product on the hair. So first I would give my hair a good clarifying, then I would do a protein treatment, then I would deep condition like it's nobody's business. I would suggest deep condition maybe three times this week. Also what I do to get my curl back is I style my hair in curly styles for about a month, it's almost like I'm training my hair to hold a curl. I hope it works out for you.

THANKS!

I've since shampooed my hair 2 times and CW once. I clarified with Sauve clarifying shampoo and followed with a moisterizing shampoo.

2 night ago, I DC with a replinishing pack and coconut oil. I left the conditioner on for about 45 mins (room temp) and sat under the dryer for 20 additional minutes.

Okay, so protein, I did a Keraphix, is that enough of do I need to go hardcore?

I also just did a twist out/ flexi rod set at the top of my hair after DC on Tuesday night. I guess I've started your suggestions, but have to incorporate a lil patience.

Thanks so much for the advice! As a matter of fact, it mirrors what SouthernTease recommended too

 

[FAMUDva]

1) Moisture and protein, moisture and protein - lots of it, and consistently. It might be a lost cause though, so prepare yourself for that.

2) I would guess it's because heat damage is cumulative. Each time you use it, it damages just a wee bit more (and even if it's a tiny bit of damage, it's still inflicting some damage even if you use heat protectants/'proper use'/etc) until your hair gets to a point where it's damaged enough to go straight.

I know that I have a very dim view of heat use, and there are some who can use it for years without making their hair straight - *shrug* - but it seems like they are the few and far inbetween ones.

Congrats on the marriage!

Thanks!

Yeah, I have quite a few friends that are completely natural and of course their opinions vary... there are a couple that straighten often, but at most they just have a looser curl pattern (like a texturizer would do), but their hair curls back up after years of heat use.

I wonder why as a child it ws never a big deal. Like my mom with straighten my hair for special occasions and it would kink right back up... Maybe because it was so few occasions or maybe because it would be braided when not down or in ponytails. Whatever the reason, I TRUELY believe in heat damage now that I'm experiencing it

 

[loulou82]

IA with Kia. Sometimes damage can be cumulative. What type of flat iron did she use? What was the heat setting? Did she use a protectant? I had heat damage at Month 8 of my transition and no moisture or protein brought it back. I chalked it up to a "live and learn experience". I was so upset that I went directly into kinky twists and went without heat for 6 months. It still bothers me almost a year later. I remember another member giving her hair a week to recuperate by DCing with moisture and her curls finally bounced backed.

P.S. cOnGrAts on your Marriage!

 

[JustKiya]

Thanks!

Yeah, I have quite a few friends that are completely natural and of course their opinions vary... there are a couple that straighten often, but at most they just have a looser curl pattern (like a texturizer would do), but their hair curls back up after years of heat use.

I wonder why as a child it ws never a big deal. Like my mom with straighten my hair for special occasions and it would kink right back up... Maybe because it was so few occasions or maybe because it would be braided when not down or in ponytails. Whatever the reason, I TRUELY believe in heat damage now that I'm experiencing it

I look at heat damage of hair rather the same way I look at sun damage of skin - it is a gradual and cumulative process, and not everyone who bakes themselves on a regular is certain to get skin cancer - but it definitely increases the chances significantly, ya know? And some people bake all their lives, and never get a spot, other people tan on a couple of vacations years apart, and show up with melanomas...... *shrug* It's a gamble, to me, no matter how much heat protectant you use, or what sort of flat iron/pressing comb/tourmaline ceramic device you are using, ya know?

 

[FAMUDva]

I look at heat damage of hair rather the same way I look at sun damage of skin - it is a gradual and cumulative process, and not everyone who bakes themselves on a regular is certain to get skin cancer - but it definitely increases the chances significantly, ya know? And some people bake all their lives, and never get a spot, other people tan on a couple of vacations years apart, and show up with melanomas...... *shrug* It's a gamble, to me, no matter how much heat protectant you use, or what sort of flat iron/pressing comb/tourmaline ceramic device you are using, ya know?

I certainly believe it now...

I still enjoy wearing my hair straight though. Guess I'm going to have some decisions to make once I chope my ends...

 

[JerriBlank]

I don't have any advice,just wanted to say that you looked beautiful on your wedding day!Congrats to you and the hubby!

 

[FAMUDva]

I don't have any advice,just wanted to say that you looked beautiful on your wedding day!Congrats to you and the hubby!

Thanks Lady

 

[vkb247]

I definitely think ou should re-evaluate once you have done the BC. Maybe the weight of your hair is making it look straighter than it really is.

Congrats on your marriage. I wish you many blessings!

 

[FAMUDva]

I definitely think ou should re-evaluate once you have done the BC. Maybe the weight of your hair is making it look straighter than it really is.

Congrats on your marriage. I wish you many blessings!

Thanks... I think I'd be more down with wearing my hair curly 99% of the time after I BC because it would all be one texture type (I know it will be varies types of coils/waves, etc).

Nah, it's REALLY straight. I mean, I can tell the difference between the shampoo on 9/28 and 10/20. I didn't have that much growth between that period and it was curling up on 9/28 as it normall did and it's COMPLETELY straight from root to tip after 10/20... If I hadn't had experience with my hair before I would have thought it was just the "weight" of the relaxed ends, but this is my second attempt at transitioning and I'm 99.9% sure that the front is scorched straight .

Thanks for the insight anyway.

 

[nurseN98]

Sorry about your heat damage but you looked soooooo pretty for your wedding!

Like everyone else I would suggest as much protein as your hair can stand. If you can, do a heated dc following the protein. i've never had heat damage but i've heard of some folks who after a couple of weeks of protein & dc'ing their hair is back to normal.

I just flat ironed my hair (which i've done in the past) but I used a new iron this time so i'm hoping I didn't damage my hair. I'll be finding out later...
Good luck!

ETA: To answer your question, she may not have used a specific heat protectant, just a leave in...my old beautician never used heat protectants either

 

[NikStarrr]

Congrats on your marriage!

Just wanted to add, that even though heat damage can be accumulative, it can also happen with bad technique, i.e. lack of heat protectant, extreme heat, etc. Most stylists use more heat than we'd use on ourselves. I've had numerous friends who'd gotten heat damage right away from a stylist, yet never did when they'd flat ironed their own hair numerous times over long periods of time.

 

[poookie]

i say do a hardcore protein treatment, like nexxus emergencee, or aphogee (my personal favorite). i'm relaxed, and did a hardcore aphogee last night, at 4 weeks post. my new growth curlies popped like nobody's business, and some of the texture that the relaxer removed returned to my hair. i'm not sure how it'd work regarding your heat damage, but definitely give it a shot. hair is basically protein, so doing a hardcore protein treatment, followed by a nice slippy moisturizing deep conditioner, would definitely help.

 

[FAMUDva]

Sorry about your heat damage but you looked soooooo pretty for your wedding!

Like everyone else I would suggest as much protein as your hair can stand. If you can, do a heated dc following the protein. i've never had heat damage but i've heard of some folks who after a couple of weeks of protein & dc'ing their hair is back to normal.

I just flat ironed my hair (which i've done in the past) but I used a new iron this time so i'm hoping I didn't damage my hair. I'll be finding out later...
Good luck!

ETA: To answer your question, she may not have used a specific heat protectant, just a leave in...my old beautician never used heat protectants either

Congrats on your marriage!

Just wanted to add, that even though heat damage can be accumulative, it can also happen with bad technique, i.e. lack of heat protectant, extreme heat, etc. Most stylists use more heat than we'd use on ourselves. I've had numerous friends who'd gotten heat damage right away from a stylist, yet never did when they'd flat ironed their own hair numerous times over long periods of time.

i say do a hardcore protein treatment, like nexxus emergencee, or aphogee (my personal favorite). i'm relaxed, and did a hardcore aphogee last night, at 4 weeks post. my new growth curlies popped like nobody's business, and some of the texture that the relaxer removed returned to my hair. i'm not sure how it'd work regarding your heat damage, but definitely give it a shot. hair is basically protein, so doing a hardcore protein treatment, followed by a nice slippy moisturizing deep conditioner, would definitely help.

Thanks ladies! It seems like the consistant answer is protein treatment followed by DC. I'll try a more hardcore protein treatment and follow it with a DC. I know with aphogee you can only use it every 6 weeks. Is the 2 min Aphogee the same? At any rate, I'm going to give it a try Saturday or Sunday night.

Of course I'll keep y'all posted and will take pics the next time I wet it (even though now i have about 1/4 in of NG now in the front since the incident).

 

[FAMUDva]

Slight update: I was over on nappurality.com and according to most of the old threads over there regarding this issue, I may be facing a lost cause I guess we live and learn. Truth be told, I'm not going to another stylist who doesn't SPECIALIZE in natural and transitioning hair.

The only silver lining for me is that I have no intentions to chop until the at least the end of next year. So, worst case scenerio, by the time I chop off what's left of my relaxed ends, I may end up with shorter hair than expected due to this set back, but in the end it will be ok (I guess).

I still miss my waves though

 

[TCatt86]

Slight update: I was over on nappurality.com and according to most of the old threads over there regarding this issue, I may be facing a lost cause I guess we live and learn. Truth be told, I'm not going to another stylist who doesn't SPECIALIZE in natural and transitioning hair.

The only silver lining for me is that I have no intentions to chop until the at least the end of next year. So, worst case scenerio, by the time I chop off what's left of my relaxed ends, I may end up with shorter hair than expected due to this set back, but in the end it will be ok (I guess).

I still miss my waves though

Well over there on that site, they hate heat. So typically they tell everyone that it's a lost cause. Pretty much anyone that looses curl to heat they tell them to chop it all off. The good thing is your hair is healthy and it will grow back in no timw=e.

 

[Ms Lala]

You looked beautiful and congrats on your wedding! I'm sorry about the heat damage. I had a similar thing happen because I was straightening my hair alot when I first started transitioning and I ended up having to slowly cute the hair off. I would say try using a strong heat protect from now on like Chi or Sabino.

 

[SUPER SWEET]

Girl you looked like the DIVA you are on youre wedding day!
I agree with Lala the Sabino Moisture block really protects your hair during straightening because I use it and it. My waves and curls come back EVERYTIME I've used it. I was told to do a ACV rinse when I didnt use Sabino to bring back my curls.