View Full Version : Any flat-ironers here?
Fluffy01
June 10th, 2013, 01:07 PM
I've got to do something with my hair. I really don't want to cut it, but it's a frizzy mess no matter what I do. I've tried no silicones, silicones, obviously no sulfates. It's having serious issues. I can't wear it down unless I flat iron it cause my curls have just gone bonkers. I'm sure it's a hormonal issue that will work itself out in time, however, until then, how much damage am I going to do flat-ironing it if I use a bunch of silicones to try and protect it? What products do you rec if you do it? Thanks!
Simone_Fatale
June 10th, 2013, 01:15 PM
I've flat ironed my hair 3 times a week for about 16 months during the awkward stage of growing out a buzz cut, so I consider myself an expert on the subject, more or less. You should know that your hair will get damaged, products or no products, and maybe it won't show right away, but it will in time.
Is flat ironing really the only option you have? Do you believe it will help you grow rather than just add the final blow to your hair? Think about it before deciding and you can always try out flat ironing for a period of time and see how it feels, but I'm pretty sure that flat ironing would just add to your problem instead of curing it.
Anyway, when it comes to products, can't be much help there since all the products I use can only be found in Europe... Just make sure you use a heat protectant based on cones, and a deep conditioner/mask also based on cones. Baby your hair... It does make a difference.
spidermom
June 10th, 2013, 02:13 PM
You might consider trying some products to help your curls behave better - gel or curl cream, etc. Flat ironing is going to be damaging and make the frizziness worse, more or less - depending on your hair type. My hair isn't very resilient at all, and flat ironing occasionally (maybe 2-3 times per month at most) had destroyed the bottom 6 inches by the time my hair was BSL (bottom of shoulder blade length). The strands stuck together like Velcro and I could hear ripping sounds as I tried to comb through it. So I had to cut that 6 inches off, which is really disappointing when what you want is long hair.
Your hair may be more resilient than mine, so good luck, but do try some curl-enhancing products rather than flat ironing. Mine always worked best if I spent a few minutes twirling my hair around my fingers to get the curl pattern going.
deedrr
June 10th, 2013, 02:16 PM
I flat iron and yes, my hair is damaged :(
Anje
June 10th, 2013, 02:47 PM
My advice would also be against flat ironing. You're complaining that your hair is frizzy, but in the long run the heat styling will only make it more so. (Bangs/fringe are exempt from this, by the way. Flatten that down as much as you feel necessary.)
I don't see a hairtype listed, but clearly your hair is quite curly. Are you leaving in conditioner? Putting alcohol-free gel in when your hair is wet? I'd guess that one or both of those would be necessary for you to avoid frizz, if you're as curly as your profile photo.
When all else fails, updos. Honestly, I love how curlier hair looks when it's pulled up a little loosely because it still has so much texture and volume to it, compared to my relatively thin flat hair. A few sproingy hairs that won't settle down don't change that opinion.
Magalo
June 10th, 2013, 03:00 PM
Oh, I do flat iron some short face framing layers that won't lay flat because they're too short. They are also the most visibly damaged part of my hair.
melusine963
June 10th, 2013, 03:39 PM
I loved the way my hair looked and behaved when it was straightened, but my flat iron also completely destroyed my hair. Ok, maybe not completely. I had a few other bad hair habits that contributed. It took me years to grow out all the damage, so I'm really not tempted to go back.
marykatz
June 10th, 2013, 03:47 PM
Curly hair is usually fragile hair so I think flat ironing it is really going to be damaging. What about watching the no heat styling videos on youtube? If you do want to straighten it with heat, I think blow drying is going to be less damaging than a flat iron but I am not sure, since they are both damaging for my hair...
Have you read Lorraine Massey's curly hair book? Tons of tips in there. Good luck. Curly hair has a mind of its own!
lapushka
June 10th, 2013, 04:07 PM
Honestly, your hair in your profile picture looks amazing! It's nice and curly. I'd go over to naturallycurly.com and read up on stuff there. Also, the curly girl method (http://www.wikihow.com/Follow-the-Curly-Girl-Method-for-Curly-Hair) might be nice for you, if you aren't using that already. Gel, a leave-in and some serum (or a few drops of oil) for styling do wonders for curly and wavy hair.
marykatz
June 10th, 2013, 04:14 PM
Honestly, your hair in your profile picture looks amazing! It's nice and curly. I'd go over to naturallycurly.com and read up on stuff there. Also, the curly girl method (http://www.wikihow.com/Follow-the-Curly-Girl-Method-for-Curly-Hair) might be nice for you, if you aren't using that already. Gel, a leave-in and some serum (or a few drops of oil) for styling do wonders for curly and wavy hair.
I just went over to your profile page and I agree, lovely curls!!! Are they very much different today than in that pic?
Firefox7275
June 10th, 2013, 04:40 PM
http://www.thenaturalhavenbloom.com/2009/05/straightening-factshow-hot-is-too-hot.html
jeanniet
June 10th, 2013, 05:28 PM
Your hair is pretty curly. The problem with flat ironing it is that the more you do it, the more your hair will be damaged, and more damaged it is the frizzier it'll get. What's worse is that if you want to grow it out, you'll have headful of damage that at some point will have to be cut off, and that will set back your growth goals. Once the hair is damaged, you can't fix it, and the longer you grow your hair, the more problematic the damage will become. If you've already been flat ironing regularly for any length of time, the frizziness you're seeing is most likely caused by that.
l'd really look into the curly girl method. You probably need both protein and moisture in your hair to help minimize the damage you have now. It won't cure it, but your hair will look better.
starlamelissa
June 10th, 2013, 06:12 PM
the flat iron really isnt the best thing for those of us with long hair, or are in the process of getting there. I think you can grow your hair and flat iron it, but in my experience it doesnt really FIX the problem. As soon as it gets rained on or its humid out you'll poof up again. And the heat damaged sections tend to frizz more.
I recommend- Using cones (I use them in my shampoo and conditioner)
Trying to scrunch in gel (just an alcohol free cheapie, like LA looks sport)
Adding a few droplets of baby oil to your wet/freshly washed hair to prevent the POOF.
IF that fails ya,
Blow it out, with a brush, on medium to cool setting of your blowdrier. I find blowdrying to be perfectly safe.
AMD
June 10th, 2013, 06:47 PM
I flat iron usually in the winter. It has been decreasing, but it is a bit of a tradition at this point. I use an aphogee leave in that is supposed to be a heat protectant and a john frieda serum (doesnt matter which) and flat iron on air dried hair (at least I do now). It allows me to s &d more easily and spend less time on my hair.
However, there will be some sort of difference. Everyone has those spots on their head that see the damage or loosening of curl before the rest. for me, its the hair above my temples.
Now that I've begun to use the tightly-curly method, I see that even with my "safe" heat techniques, the curls above my ears are much looser, and dont curl up to the same length.
Its a personal choice, but you must be okay with dealing with the consequences just in case those sections don't bounce back. If you are, go for it.
Babyfine
June 11th, 2013, 10:05 AM
http://www.thenaturalhavenbloom.com/2009/05/straightening-factshow-hot-is-too-hot.html
Wow great site-quite informative.
Babyfine
June 11th, 2013, 10:08 AM
I've got to do something with my hair. I really don't want to cut it, but it's a frizzy mess no matter what I do. I've tried no silicones, silicones, obviously no sulfates. It's having serious issues. I can't wear it down unless I flat iron it cause my curls have just gone bonkers. I'm sure it's a hormonal issue that will work itself out in time, however, until then, how much damage am I going to do flat-ironing it if I use a bunch of silicones to try and protect it? What products do you rec if you do it? Thanks!
I second trying to work with your curls and waves, unless you have really resilient hair. Heat styling of any kind on a regular basis is very hard on the hair shaft.
occasionally might be OK.
lolar
June 11th, 2013, 11:06 AM
I flat iron! My hair is almost waist and in good condition. I only do it about twice a month and my hair seems to be able to handle it. I use a good Coney conditioner before hand and tresemme heat protection spray before straightening :) I will post a pic at the end of the month when I hope to be at my goal
Syaoransbear
June 11th, 2013, 11:51 AM
I had to give it up, I couldn't grow my hair longer than APL when I flat ironed every day.
Damage from heat styling will definitely make frizz worse. When hair starts breaking off those shorter hairs will stick out like crazy.
HintOfMint
June 11th, 2013, 12:08 PM
You might consider trying some products to help your curls behave better - gel or curl cream, etc. Flat ironing is going to be damaging and make the frizziness worse, more or less - depending on your hair type. My hair isn't very resilient at all, and flat ironing occasionally (maybe 2-3 times per month at most) had destroyed the bottom 6 inches by the time my hair was BSL (bottom of shoulder blade length). The strands stuck together like Velcro and I could hear ripping sounds as I tried to comb through it. So I had to cut that 6 inches off, which is really disappointing when what you want is long hair.
Your hair may be more resilient than mine, so good luck, but do try some curl-enhancing products rather than flat ironing. Mine always worked best if I spent a few minutes twirling my hair around my fingers to get the curl pattern going.
The bolded part is really one of the best things for frizz, I've found. I have a very uneven curl/wave pattern so letting my hair air-dry in twists is a good way to get the frizzy bits into curl formation. And my frizz is largely comprised of kinky and wiry hairs that have started multiplying in number for no reason I can think of.
alexis917
June 11th, 2013, 12:36 PM
I flat iron on special occasions.
For my friend's birthday, I heat-styled, and I heat styled on my anniversary, if I remember right.
But I don't heat style often (probably once every six months).
I might straighten on my birthday, though!
Paranda Belle
June 11th, 2013, 03:40 PM
Have you tried wrapping your hair. It's sometimes called a doobie. Basically your head is like one giant curler and you wrap your hair around it. It kills the frizz (and the curl) and the effect is good enough for me not to have used my straighteners for a few years.
MidnightMoon
June 11th, 2013, 05:29 PM
My hair has never been frizzier than when I coloured and straightened it...so I'd just sugest growing out the damaged part...
your hair might not be straight or look as 'great' as when straightened but it will sure end the frizziness, and I can certify that, having myself hair that is frizzy on it's own, fine and very wavy
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