Why does my hair seem better off when I use heat?

[Ms. Feliz]

My hair is relaxed and for the past couple of weeks i've been trying to do low manipulation but this doesn't seem to be working for me. I shampoo and deep condition once a week, air dry and moisturize twice daily but my hair just doesn't seem to keep the moisture. When my hair air dries it's puffy, not huge, but definitely bigger than what i'm used to because I always flat ironed my hair after every wash. It seems like no matter what I put in my hair or how much I use it's just not enough.

However, when I flat iron my hair then moisturize I can use only a little bit of moisturizer and it goes a long way. My hair actually stays moist and it seems like that's when my ends feel healthy versus being dry and brittle when I air dry and don't flat iron. What am I doing wrong?

 

[melissa-bee]

It's the same thing with me as well. I heard something about the heat closes the cuticles of the hair, so hair feels smoother. But then i wonder why people say that cold rinses also closes them

 

[Charlie555]

I am in the same boat. When I try to air dry before I flat iron it never works for me. I am almost 20 weeks into my transition and I am trying to stay heat free but right now I want to blow dry and flat iron so bad.

 

[Ms. Feliz]

anyone?

 

[Ms. Feliz]

I am in the same boat. When I try to air dry before I flat iron it never works for me. I am almost 20 weeks into my transition and I am trying to stay heat free but right now I want to blow dry and flat iron so bad.

I gave in to my flat iron last night.

 

[Mrs.Green]

Airdrying isn't for everyone~ I'm a heat user, I use heat once a week *especially now that it's winter* and my hair thrives. Nothing wrong with adding heat to your regimen. Try rollersetting once a week or just flat iron. But use heat smart. On clean, deep conditioned, heat protected hair

 

[ceebee3]

I don't airdry if I want my hair straight, I just rollerset and wrap. I only airdry if i'm going to be in a bun or another protective style that does not have to be sleek.

 

[Ms. Feliz]

Airdrying isn't for everyone~ I'm a heat user, I use heat once a week *especially now that it's winter* and my hair thrives. Nothing wrong with adding heat to your regimen. Try rollersetting once a week or just flat iron. But use heat smart. On clean, deep conditioned, heat protected hair

That made me feel better it seems like everyone uses absolutely no heat and I couldn't figure out how they do it.

 

[Mrs.Green]

That made me feel better it seems like everyone uses absolutely no heat and I couldn't figure out how they do it.

Glad you feel better I think more people use heat than the board admits . Abuse of heat is when alot of people run into a problem.

I have a better time airdrying in the summer, I just slather conditioner and coconut oil on wet hair and bun. I cannot do that in the winter I have to use some type of heat. Just once a week.

Tips that help me:

*Blow dry on medium or cool heat.
*Maybe even airdry most the way and blowdry the rest way dry.
*Use heat protectant (a must)
*Turn down the heat setting on flat iron/curling iron to the lowest possible setting to achieve desired results
*Rollerset weekly if I have time/feel like it
*Keep hair/ends moisturized (another must)

 

[brittanynic16]

I use heat (blow drier and flat iron) at LEAST once a week for the past year and my hair is in the best condition it even been in.

 

[LushLox]

It's because the cuticle is smooth and the hair is just that more manageable because there essentially isn't any difficult newgrowth to contend with. I think it's fine to use heat but you just need to be aware of your limits and of course ensure the hair is fully prepped first.

 

[Ms. Feliz]

I've never used heat protectant on my hair before (bad, I know). In everyone's experience with flat ironing which protectant seems to give the best results?

 

[Mrs.Green]

I use Fantasia IC *pink bottle* heat protectant or CHI Silk Infusion *sallys has an off brand of CHI Silk Infusion that works just as well*

 

[toyagurl]

I use heat twice a week and my hair is healthier than it has ever been.

 

[SelfStyled]

Listen to your hair and be smart about using heat. I agree w/ Mrs. Green - there are plenty of closet heat users here. In Sep I decided to FINALLY listen to my hair and use heat weekly. My hair retains more moisture and I am finally retaining my growth. Airdrying does not agree with the ends of my hair at all. There can be a mob mentality here some times - but if you listen to your hair, then you will not go wrong.

 

[Bella_Atl]

Listen to your hair and be smart about using heat. I agree w/ Mrs. Green - there are plenty of closet heat users here. In Sep I decided to FINALLY listen to my hair and use heat weekly. My hair retains more moisture and I am finally retaining my growth. Airdrying does not agree with the ends of my hair at all. There can be a mob mentality here some times - but if you listen to your hair, then you will not go wrong.

I agree. I rollerset twice per week and I flat iron almost every other day. No problems at all. My hair is as healthy as ever.

 

[KnottyGurl]

Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy are you doing this to yourselves!!!!!!!!!!!!! What's wrong with you!!!!











Just kidding I'm so glad to see some successes from fellow heat users. I've been using heat alittle MORE than the board recommends and my hair is still retaining it's length and getting stronger and longer. Ahhhhhh, finally a thread I can retreat too

We need a support thread :scratchch Exits quickly...

 

[Ms. Feliz]

I'm glad to see that there's a good amount of people here who get results like they want even while using heat a lot more often than recommended

 

[shunemite]

It's the same thing with me as well. I heard something about the heat closes the cuticles of the hair, so hair feels smoother. But then i wonder why people say that cold rinses also closes them

You make a good point here. I benefit from a little heat. Always have. Even when I was a kid my mom used a warm iron on my hair and grew it down to my back. I did read on Mizani's hair typing system that type 4 hair has a naturally raised cuticle. It makes sense to me.

 

[MsSharee06]

I agree I just started listening to my hair..I use hair once a week and my hair thrives

 

[jcdlox]

twice weekly heat user checking in! I agree with the previous suggestions to only use heat on freshly shampoo'd, deep conditioned and heat protected hair. Heat doesn't do near as much damage to my hair as manipulation so air drying is something I'm still experimenting with carefully.