Does anyone here straighten their hair almost every day

[l0nd0nbr1dg3]

My hair shape just lOoks weird if I let it dry naturally I just want to keep straightening maybe I will stop when my hair gets heavier and stops flipping I bought a new avanti hair straightener today

[BeckyAH]

When my hair is above shoulder length, yep - I have to straighten it every single day, because the waves don't get to 'complete' their pattern adn the result is a lot of ends poking out every which way and that's just not attractive. The good news is, that when hair is that short it's 'young' and a bit more resiliant. I don't think my hair would survive if I used heat every day, but that's because I also use BLEACH, and that combination's just more than my hair can handle.

[l0nd0nbr1dg3]

Thanks I will keep straightening then. I've just been stressing so much not using heat but it's not worth it if my hair looks weird and I hate my hair. U are at apl now I see so At that length when not if I get there I may probably only straighten for a wedding but now now. Thanks for Ur input

[bluesnowflake]

Well, it's definitely very damaging to your hair- I've never straightened mine because I've seen what happens after long-term usage, especially if you're combining it with dye. Hair breaks off and gets dull and rough. If you want those 5" to be healthy when your hair grows out, you shouldn't straighten, or you should at least reduce it to less than every day. Maybe you could wash every other day and then the straightening would last 2 days? However, if you're willing to eventually have to cut those ends off when your hair grows longer and it makes you happy now, you should continue.

[PraiseCheeses]

I straighten my hair every time I wash, but without heat. :) When my hair was shorter, I used the hair-wrapping or "doobie" method. Basically, you just brush your wet hair in a swirl around your head, cover with a scarf, and wait for it to dry. The head acts like a large roller. I can still do it that way now with longer hair, but generally now I'll put it into a loose bun to dry, which I take out and redo in opposite directions a couple times. Tames my 3a tendencies down to about 1b, just as I like!

[Madora]

Straightening your hair is damaging. Why damage it if you're trying to grow it long?

[Lollipop]

I know that I have heard of some wavies/curlies straightening their hair at shorter lengths because it wouldn't lie right. However, when you get to a longer length cush as APL/BSL, the damage is going to become more evident. So keep in mind that you will eventually have to grow out the damage too.

[longcurlygirl<3]

I use to straighten and it showed the damage as my hair grew and I had two cuts of about 7 inches in two years..it killed me Xp but it is damaging. Try gel to slick it down maybe?

[Aeltt]

My sister does. Every single strand is split and/or has white dots, i swear, it makes me cringe. It's so dry too.. And it's so damaged that she has to straighten it to make it look good, which damages it even more, etc..

So I don't recommend it. Once a week, maybe twice if you really want to, but i think once a day is too much.

[BeckyAH]

Straightening your hair is damaging. Why damage it if you're trying to grow it long?

The answer to this for me - and I've had pixie to waist length hair, at various points in the past - is quite simple:

If I do not straighten my hair at the 'between grown out pixie and shoulder' length, I ain't growing it - I can't. Gel won't hold it down, it's too short and thick to go back and my wave pattern means I have a head full of what looks like cowlicks. I'd rather cut off those inches once it's longer and will behave (and have done in the past) and have hair I can live with than perfectly healthy hair.

Take it with a grain of salt obviously. I use cones, I occasionally heat style, I bleach, I use chemical dyes (though deposit only, now) because if I don't like my hair and it's not fun for me - I dont' want it at any length of degree of health.

[Silverdragn7385]

If mine is worn down, it's going to be straightened. Even though it's already straight. My hair is pretty resilient, though. Yours may or may not be, so keep that in mind. :)

[pepperminttea]

It may well slow you down later when you come to trim to the damage, but if it helps you to enjoy your hair during the awkward growing out lengths, then perhaps it's worth the longer growing journey for you? :) You might need to maintain and microtrim for a while at APL/BSL before you grow longer though, if you want to keep your ends thick.

[ericthegreat]

The answer to this for me - and I've had pixie to waist length hair, at various points in the past - is quite simple:

If I do not straighten my hair at the 'between grown out pixie and shoulder' length, I ain't growing it - I can't. Gel won't hold it down, it's too short and thick to go back and my wave pattern means I have a head full of what looks like cowlicks. I'd rather cut off those inches once it's longer and will behave (and have done in the past) and have hair I can live with than perfectly healthy hair.

Take it with a grain of salt obviously. I use cones, I occasionally heat style, I bleach, I use chemical dyes (though deposit only, now) because if I don't like my hair and it's not fun for me - I dont' want it at any length of degree of health.

You have the right to do whatever you want with your own hair. Its your body, your choice. Its clear that you are fully aware of the potential damage you are causing your hair, and you are willing to live with the risks.

I would however start paying attention once you see and serious signs of split ends/dryness/and or breakage. You will need to be very vigilant about moisturizing your hair, so use a good conditioner and you should also look into oils like coconut or olive oil. And once you feel that you've grown out enough length, get a good trim and take off the worst of the damaged ends.

[BeckyAH]

I'm actually maintaining and trimming all my growth for the next few months. Fortunately the bleaching and heatstyling at this point is 99&#37; my bangs, which... maintain at 3 -4 inches and for my growth rate means it's got about a 4-6 month lifespan on my head at all.

Well, that and those front stripes, but that's a root only thing. When my hair is shorter? I abuse it pretty hard to get it there, but then I maintain, cut off stuff that's been abused more than it can take and, short of the coloring, stop - because my waves like me again (or, rather, I like them).

[Roscata]

I straighten my hair every time I wash, but without heat. :) When my hair was shorter, I used the hair-wrapping or "doobie" method. Basically, you just brush your wet hair in a swirl around your head, cover with a scarf, and wait for it to dry. The head acts like a large roller. I can still do it that way now with longer hair, but generally now I'll put it into a loose bun to dry, which I take out and redo in opposite directions a couple times. Tames my 3a tendencies down to about 1b, just as I like!

I second this. Wrapping is a great way to get the straight hair you want without damaging your hair. Here is a link with pics if you're interested in finding out more: How to relax curly hair – My Crown Wrap method (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=17291).

I hope you'll get to have great results whatever you decided to do to your hair. :D

[McFearless]

Curlies can't really get away with straightening often. The more you do it, the more your natural texture changes permanently. Curly roots and straight ends has got to be the most horrible thing to deal with. I envy those with straight hair who can use heat.

[SoulOfTheSea]

I used to do that every day for 3 years. It ruined my hair, completely. I had to chop it to get rid of all the damage, and I finally realized my natural texture is awesome. :)

[Kristin]

I'm not a curly, but I know that setting hair on magnetic rollers (which I do for volume) can straighten and smooth the hair, depending on the size of the roller used. Might be worth investigating.

[sarahbrownie]

I use to. I have definitely cut down on it because out of all the things I think is the most damaging is straightening. But I've wised up. I wash my hair less and use dry shampoos to get more days of straight hair so I do it less. I also use a ton of heat protect and I do my bottom half on a lower setting than my top half, since it's the most damaged being on top. I still get white dots and have a ton of split ends, well, because I don't trim. I like my hair to look nice once and a while so it's the sacrifice I'll make for it. I love straight hair but I've been blessed with curly and not even the curls I like either. This is going against all that I've learned at LHC but it's dead, so whatever. It grows. :shrug:

[Lianna]

I'm planning to, I'm tired of having wet hair everyday, all day. You probably won't find many in this forum though.

[Ithonna]

I don't straighten daily but I do every time I wash my hair. So, usually about once a week.

[TheCatSaidQuack]

I'll do it once or twice a week. I use to do it all the time, and my hair paid for it - it never grew past bra strap length. Now, I use it on the lowest heat setting, and use plenty of heat protectant. I get more white dots splits then I would if I didn't do it, but it's a price I have to pay. My goal over the next few months is to accept my 2a/b hair, and just use heat on my fringe.

[Eden75]

I have naturally curly hair that gets weighted down the longer it gets, so the curls aren't as nice when it air dries. I use a warm air (never hot) blow drier and a boar hair round brush and straighten it once or twice a week. My hair has officially reached waist length (yay!!) and I can go 2-3 days comfortably without washing it, I just use dry shampoo on the roots as I do have an oily scalp.

I would prefer to let it air dry now if the curls would stay nice, but as a high level professional woman, I can't exactly be showing up to meetings with high profile clients with wet hair and I prefer my hair down so I don't pin it up often. Occasionally if I am staying in the office I'll let it air dry and just finger the roots periodically until it's dry, 5-6 hours usually. Also, if I time it out right, I let it air dry on weekends as well.

Using cones and heat protecting spray (ie: Garnier Thermo-Sleek) helps a lot to keep it looking healthy as does the not washing everyday. I also only use a wide tooth comb with blunted ends and a boars hair paddle brush on it. I dye my hair as well as I am not ready to give into the grey yet. (I went 6 months without it and I an about 45% grey. No way jose, not yet. I do only use temporary dye now though at the advice of my hairdresser who has been working with this mop since I was 14.) It gets a trim every 3-4 months, just enough to clean up the ends.

There are many here who are very against doing this to your hair and some who aren't. They will all give you advice or comments and try and help you reach your goal. Good luck with your goal, whatever that may end up being!

[DarkSky]

Up until a month ago I've been blowdrying and flat ironing my hair after almost every wash (every 4 days) I can honestly say that I never noticed much damage at the time. I had the odd split end and was able to grow my hair to waist length a few times in my life with no issues and no apparent damage. I figured it worked because I used lots of heat protectant and my hair was tough. Well NOW that I have been cutting out heat completely and starting on the cone free/CO method I have noticed a big improvement in my hair texture of all things. It feels smoother and looks shiny without anything but conditioner in it. Also it seems like it is getting easier and easier deal with and accept and love my normal hair with each passing week. The good hair days is starting to outweigh the bad hair days. It has taken me a couple of weeks to accept this no heat life. I still feel like going back to it occasionally but so far so good and I'm still heat free. I'll give the wrapping a try on days when I really want the straight hair but lately the compliments on my wurls have kept me motivated to stay natural and just air dry. Hope this will encourage you a little to give a lower heat method a try.

[IcarusBride]

I've heard people cursing blowdrying as the 3rd most evil thing you can do to your hair after straighteners and bleach, but if it's even slightly less evil, maybe it's a better way to get your hair strait? I have "naturally strait" hair (Actually, it was stick strait until BSL and now all the length below BSL has spontaneous ringlets, but the top remains strait.) so I have never used a hair straightener. I used a curling iron a few times (maybe 6 times total, in a 2-3 months period) just before joining LHC, ironically trying to create the look my hair now has naturally, with just the ends curly, and it made tons of white dots on the ends of my hair. Since I only used it on the ends back then, luckily only a few inches were damaged and those have already long ago been trimmed off.

[Avital88]

mine was also weird when shorter and i had to straighten it too. I sooo understand the thought of that you think you need to straighten it because else it doesnt look the way you want.I have been doing the same for years..
But .. mine didnt start really growing until i QUIT the hairstraightening so i would highly suggest not using it, my ends regret alot now,because the damage is still around today.
If it really isnt possible not to use it, only do the front parts ,and use it max once a week, it really makes a difference to be careful with heat, especially since you have another 23inches to grow.
And i second what DarkSky said, a few weeks without heat and your hair starts to behave again.
It also took me a while to get to the point of having no frizz without products, i used to heatstyle it against the frizz not realizing it only made it worse,oh my,how i wished someone just told me to quit the heat!
Good luck

[Kathie]

I use to straighten every 2nd or third day. It would stay straight in between washes because of the product I was using. If I didn't straighten it would dry in with the bottom half of my hair looking all poofy. Well, three or so months after joining LHC and giving up the iron my hair would dry looking like hair! For me the strange shape I would get without straightening was actually caused by the iron... catch 22.

[alwayssmiling]

When I used to straighten everyday my hair never grow past shoulders and I would regularly get a chunk of hair missing on my left side and an underneath section, it would all start to look a bit lob sided after about 8 weeks so my hairdresser would cut more off than I had grown.

I have gone months and months without using any heat for my hair to start visibly growing, I do occassionally heat straighten (its a real event involving lots of preparation to get my hair in tip top condition so it can cope) followed by a week of pampering and moisturising to help it recover. I don't get the bits of hair all over the sink and tshirts anymore - I occassionally find a few white dots which I snip off but it doesn't effect my growth or the healthy look of it.

Having said all that I think its really important to like your hair everyday when growing it. If you feel its not attractive you are far more likely to go to the hairdressers (after 6 months of hard growing) and ask for it all to be chopped off, or start making bad decisions regarding colouring. If you want to straighten - straighten! But be aware of other options like wrapping, using clips, headbands, even hats! These may help you stretch your straightening days to maybe once every couple of days, to once a week, then once a month, to just special occassions - as your hair grows and you see your wonderful waves appear.

Good luck.

[umbrellabones]

There are ways to straighten out hair without heat.
I highly recommend looking into it. I killed my waist length hair with the flat iron every day for like two years. now im back to bsl and still growing out the damage.

[Lianna]

I see tons of girls with waist length straightened hair everyday, so I'm not as afraid of flat irons as many here. Many have highlights too.

I've used them in the past and thought my hair was getting thinner, but now that my hair is growing to that length again I realize the hair in front of my ears are naturally thinner than the rest (and finer). My hair is still thick, I have nothing to complain about (and I'm not).

Most people with bad experiences end up here, looking for advice, so 99&#37; will be agaisnt it. The happiest time with my hair was when I straightened (in high school), and it was short by choice (SL-APL), I use to cut it every two weeks.

There are plenty of people who don't have fried hair, they take care of their hair, they're just probably not in a hair forum like this (probably because they are happy doing it/didn't have any trouble). Some people can handle it, others can't. I guess you just have to figure out in which group you are, OP. Also, if you're in for reallly long lengths like TB+, it's a big risk to take. I only want waist, and have been in this forum enough to read plenty of stories, good and bad. My hair is dyed, my bangs are relaxed, and I have a flat iron in the mail. I guess I'm "very brave", LOL. My hair is healthy, and since I've done this before (ages 14-17), it's highly unlikely that I'll be in trouble now.

I came here looking for "faster growing methods", and I'm very happy using castor oil. Thought I'd drop this tip if your looking for something like that too. :)

[l0nd0nbr1dg3]

I already use castor oil :)

[spidermom]

It's up to you. My hair gets wider before it gets longer, and I used curling irons and flat irons on a regular basis to tame it.

I did pay the price, though. By the time my hair was BSL, about 6 inches of ends were trashed and had to go. It was kind of disappointing because I wanted longer hair, not shorter hair, but you do what you gotta do, and those ends had to go.

[Rosetta]

I see tons of girls with waist length straightened hair everyday, so I'm not as afraid of flat irons as many here.
It's very likely that these girls have extensions :)



Most people with bad experiences end up here, looking for advice, so 99&#37; will be agaisnt it. --
There are plenty of people who don't have fried hair, they take care of their hair, they're just probably not in a hair forum like this (probably because they are happy doing it/didn't have any trouble).

I'd beg to differ on this, I think this forum probably has less people with fried hair and more people who are happy with their hair than the world in general :)

Many come here to look for advice, true, but if everyone just came because of that, there'd be no long-term members, people would just leave after getting what they want/need ;)

[Lianna]

It's very likely that these girls have extensions :)



I'd beg to differ on this, I think this forum probably has less people with fried hair and more people who are happy with their hair than the world in general :)

Many come here to look for advice, true, but if everyone just came because of that, there'd be no long-term members, people would just leave after getting what they want/need ;)

I live in Brazil, and extensions are not that popular here. Plus I can see their scalp when the wind blows and such. Since I've had extentions myself, I know how to spot most of them. Most that do have extensions choose to wear them for special evenings. Long hair is the norm here.

I didn't say everyone came here for damaged hair advice, I said most. You said yourself "many". And most of them also had this problem fixed/grew out their hair. So, yes, most members don't have fried hair.

Also I said they are happy straightning their hair, not with their natural hair (which is the case in this forum, since we accept our waves/curls more often than not).

[kitcatsmeow]

I use mine twice a week. low heat setting and I cover my hair in heat protection spray. I don't notice any more splits/white dots then when I don't use it (which isn't all that many). My sister has healthy waist length (almost hip) hair and does the same thing except she uses a curling iron instead of flat iron to straighten.

[mallorykay13]

I straighten my bangs/fringe, but I am not worried because i do keep them short and cut out the damage often.

[UltraBella]

I think it really depends on the individual. I curled my hair with a curling iron at least 4 times a week for YEARS, maybe six or so, and my hair was anywhere between waist and hip that whole time. I didn't have any split ends and may hair seemed generally healthy. I decided to give up heat styling for an entire year and at the end of the year, I couldn't tell any difference in my hair. My hair was healthy then and it is healthy now. I have gone back to heat styling whenever I want to. I also bleach in highlights and dye my hair and have been doing so for 7 or 8 years. My hair is difficult to damage. My best friend could just LOOK at a curling iron and get split ends, her hair is very fragile. You have to figure out what your hair can handle and what your priorities are, everyone is different.

[Mairéad]

I'm one with resilient hair. It won't damage very easily but I still have never liked flat ironing. I find my natural hair much more lovely. It's still pretty straight but the random wavies give it character.

[heartgoesboom]

well, i didn't have the luxury of a straightener in hs, but i blew dry it everyday and maintained a waist length hair or longer and it didn't break off. it was pretty healthy because i didn't dye it and i had coarse hair. so, i guess, if you really want to, go for the blow dryer!

[angelfell]

Luckily, my hair naturally dries pretty straight and frizz-less. I never blow-dry anymore, and hardly ever straighten my hair.. if anything, I curl it more. I USED to straighten daily.. and let me just tell you, the damage can be horrid :(. I'd try to cut it down if you can, because there's no product which can completely stop heat from damaging your hair.. it can reduce damage. But here's my philosophy: Products labeled heat protectant, are supposed to protect it from the heat obviously. If these products 100% protected your hair from heat, your straightener/curling iron wouldn't work on your hair, because they style your hair using heat; your hair would just stay the way it was. Therefore, there's no way these products are working that well.. so be careful!

[Nicolesid1]

I have frizzy hair and can not use non-heating to straighten my hair without it looking huge and lain like.
I will blow dry it with heat protection when my hair is about 85% dry just using a brush to get a bit of the wave out than use a straightener.
I know it is a lot of heat but it keeps it straight and pretty frizz free until me next washing. So I only do it about one a week and try to give my hair some time off.