Least Damaging Way to Straighten?

confusedmaiden

I don't know if this question has been asked before, but what is the least damaging way to straighten hair? I'm trying to get my shoulder length, very wavy layered hair into professional styles but straightening is still my best bet for looking profesh. Ive gotten blowouts and wash and sets before. I used a straightening iron with very good results earlier this year. I know it's damaging to hair to straighten it but what is the least damaging method? Thanks!

SarcasmIsBeauty

If you are going to straighten your hair always use a heat protector and don't straighten your hair while it's dripping wet! Thats all I can think of for now HTH

dancerxot

1. ALWAYS use heat protectant. i went w/o it once when i was relaxed and had crazy split ends.

2. airdry your hair instead of blow drying. some say that blow drying is the key to getting hair flowy, but in all the times i've straightened my hair, i never blow dry. my hair would be annoyingly flowy without it. (i think it has a lot to do with running a brush before the iron)

3. deep condition afterwards. whenever i straighten, i do a nice deep condition after i decide to wash it. then i go back to cowashing daily. by the time i want to go straight again, my hair has maximum moisture!



that's about all i do. my hair gets super straight and silky plus i haven't ever had irreparable heat damage (just hair looking a little frizzy for two days after it curls back up).

MissKinkyCoily

dancerxot wrote: »

3. deep condition afterwards. whenever i straighten, i do a nice deep condition after i decide to wash it. then i go back to cowashing daily. by the time i want to go straight again, my hair has maximum moisture!



that's about all i do. my hair gets super straight and silky plus i haven't ever had irreparable heat damage (just hair looking a little frizzy for two days after it curls back up).

I couldn't have said it better myself. This is pretty much what I do to. I've been doing it for 5 years and no issues. They also say that using a ceramic iron is better.

curlybrunette5

Here's what I've found:

(1) Use a super moisturizing conditioner and leave some in your ends (I really like Back to Basics Pommegranite Conditioner)

(2) Let hair airdry then use a flat iron when its COMPLETELY dry. Blow drying really isn't necessary...if anything, it just makes my hair frizzier. To make the air drying process easier and prevent people from seeing me with crazy half wet hair, I wash at night, then sleep on it. When I wake up, it's completely dry and I can just run the iron over it.

(3) Keep hair straight for as long as possible. I only allow myself to flat iron my hair once a week. In the meantime if my roots feel dirty I use a hair powder or dry shampoo. Gets rid of the dirt and oil and leaves your hair smelling fresh and clean. Baby powder works ok for this too but I personally just don't really like the scent.

(4) Regular trims. I get my hair trimmed ever 4-6 weeks. I just go to a chain place where it's like $13 for a basic trim. It makes a big difference.