So how damaging is heat on hair?

[stormkeeper_lovedoris]

Since I liked the time that the hairdresser straightened my hair, at nytshd3's suggestion, I bought the Instyler. How damaging to hair is heat? I know some women blow dry their hair every day. I've always been taught that because my hair is curly, heat is its enemy and I need to avoid it.

I don't plan on straightening it every day. I'll likely keep it to special occasions. So maybe then it won't be so bad?

Comments

[scribblemyname]

Use a protectorant and/or a conditioner every time before you straighten. Make sure your hair is DRY before you apply heat. Go as long as you can without washing so the heat style will stay in. This will minimize reapplications of heat.

I had an aunt with gorgeous, beautiful, long, black hair. It looked dead after years of her applying heat.

Also helpful, get a brand of styler that is supposed to help your hair get healthier and won't damage or burn it. My aunt got Nume, which my hair is much happier to let me apply every 7-10 days without curling up all kinky and unhappy.

I straighten 1-2 days after washing now, ever since I got it cut.

[scribblemyname]

Looks like the Instyler has a good nondamage profile.

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

Oooh, this is great advice. Do you mind a few other questions?

Any recommendations on a protectorant or conditioner? Is this typically something you put on after shampooing, and does it go on when hair is wet or dry?

I checked out Nume's website and it looks like they have a lot of products. Which ones do you use?

Thank you!

[scribblemyname]

Put in a leave-in while the hair is wet. Add a little bit more before you straighten it.

Depending on how heavy the hair is how heavy the conditioner should be. If you're not sure, buy samples or ask what the return policy is. This stuff can be expensive to do hit or miss on.

Let me go check on the Nume: http://www.numeonline.com/shop/products/Fashionista.html

It's a tad pricey, but it is amazing how well it works on my mixed, huge volume, kinky, curly hair. Sometime I might even get around to posting a picture.

Also, it says best for thick or curly, but it is my aunt's and she has fairly straight, much-thinner-than-mine red hair, and it always looks great after she does it.

Not sure if it's better than the instyler though.

[scribblemyname]

I've been trying to think of a good protectorant, but I'll just say, look for something that says it's made for heat and will protect your hair. Brands I used back in the day were ThermaSilk and Ion.