flat iron vs. blow drying roots

spencd

New Member

• Nov 9, 2008

• #1

Hello,

I want to stretch my relaxer for another 6-7 weeks (about 6 weeks post now) but roots are very thick. I wanted to know which do you like better: the flat iron or blow drying roots after roller setting?

I don't like to put any extra heat normally, just wrap and when I take it down it is nice. I know to stretch longer I will have to do something. I used Vitale Relaxer for the first time, don't know if this had anything to do with it. I even went to the beauty parlour and they said I should blow out roots. I told them no but know soon something will have to give.

I know you like pics but still trying to figure out how to add it on.

 

poookie

Well-Known Member

• Nov 9, 2008

• #2

why not try rollersetting? any type of roller will hold your roots taut, and make them more manageable.

blowing out just the roots can put extra stress on the demarcation line, and flat-ironing just the roots on a regular basis can be damaging. i know some ladies do both, with no issues, but better safe than sorry

also, as you stretch, you'll find that wrapping your hair will cause a lot of unnecessary breakage. i know, for me, after about 4 weeks post, wrapping my hair is impossible. maybe you can research different styles to wear your hair in?

 

gissellr78

New Member

• Nov 9, 2008

• #3

I roller set then i get my roots blow dried

 

L

lila_baby

New Member

• Nov 9, 2008

• #4

i would think that flat ironing the roots would be easier because as you take down each individual roller u can just zap it with the iron and not blow all the hair all over the place while trying to do it with the blow dryer. I don't know that's just my opinion

 

spencd

New Member

• Nov 9, 2008

• #5

I don't own a flat iron was thinking of buying one. Anyway I mostly rollerset my hair only. I don't care to put unneccessary heat on my hair. I want to stretch a little longer and think that I may have to put a little heat on it. When I went to get professionally done I normally can just have them wrap it and it comes out nice to me. I actually hate flat hair unless wearing tracks, but roots is crazy right now.

I would love to know what other styles people are using when stretching. I'm getting tired of doobies and braids damage my hair.

TIA

 

longhairlover

New Member

• Nov 9, 2008

• #6

I do either or, even when i've had rollersets by the pros my roots were still not straight, I have used the flat iron to get the roots real straight with joico heat spray. in my pic below those were the results from a root flat ironing.

I do either or blow drying the roots or flat ironing. blow drying is faster though, to me they both give nice results.

 

S

Solitude

Well-Known Member

• Nov 9, 2008

• #7

As long as you have a good technique, blowing out the roots works well. I'm pretty sure flatironing would work too, depends on which type of heat you prefer. Also, if you want volume and body, you should blow out the roots. If you want that really sleek look, go with the flat iron- just a suggestion. Good luck.

 

charmtreese

Well-Known Member

• Nov 9, 2008

• #8

I've been rollersetting and then flatironing the NG only.

 

longhairlover

New Member

• Nov 9, 2008

• #9

if you use a blow dryer use the concentrator nozzle, your hair will not blow all over the place, it will just concentrate on the area you are directing the heat just don't leave the blow dryer on each section of hair for too long don't want to damage it.

 

spencd

New Member

• Nov 10, 2008

• #10

I am under the dryer now and will blow roots out. I brought a thermal heat protectant by IC. BSS only had 2 choices. I also brought a smaller round brush and a comb that when clamped shut will hold hair in place so you can put the heat on. I will try the comb first to see if I like it. I will be back soon with results.

 

T

TexturedTresses

Well-Known Member

• Nov 25, 2008

• #11

spencd said:

I am under the dryer now and will blow roots out. I brought a thermal heat protectant by IC. BSS only had 2 choices. I also brought a smaller round brush and a comb that when clamped shut will hold hair in place so you can put the heat on. I will try the comb first to see if I like it. I will be back soon with results.

Click to expand...

how did it go?

 

spencd

New Member

• Nov 26, 2008

• #12

It came out pretty good. I still have to perfect my blowing skills. As I posted yesterday in a different post I have to get a touch up. My roots just about had it and I can only put in ponytail to stay away from to much handling. I believe I am 8-9 weeks post. I like to go from 10-12.

 

M

Muse

Well-Known Member

• Nov 26, 2008

• #13

I have to blow dry or flat iron mine. Rollersets don't work on my natural 4b roots

 

sweetcocoa

Active Member

• Nov 26, 2008

• #14

lila_baby said:

i would think that flat ironing the roots would be easier because as you take down each individual roller u can just zap it with the iron and not blow all the hair all over the place while trying to do it with the blow dryer. I don't know that's just my opinion

Click to expand...

I prefer this method also. The setting on my flat iron is low...just enough to smooth out the roots and 'lines' from the rollers. I stop at that roller line unless I want to loosen up the curl, then I will glide the flat iron further down...but never to the ends.

 

Artemis

New Member

• Nov 26, 2008

• #15

I think technique definitely matters when blowing out the roots. Some ppl can even use a fine-toothed tail comb instead of a brush to get the roots straight. I've done flat iron and blow out, and I prefer the thickness and body I get from the blow dryer. If I want it sleeker, I'll do the flat iron (rare nowadays). My flat iron skills are best put to use if I am blowdrying my whole head from damp first...

Keep the concentrator nozzle on the dryer and keep the dryer moving while it's on and it won't damage your strands. Don't forget to customize the settings to suit your hair.

 

longhairlover

New Member

• Dec 21, 2008

• #16

I do both depending on how i feel, right now i'm 17 wks post and i flat iron or blow dry, right now i'm sticking with flat ironing because I really like that it adds the shine, because normally i'll blow the roots then flat iron which is a bit much so either or is ok in my book my hair is still very healthy.

 

Lovestyr

New Member

• Dec 21, 2008

• #17

I thik a flat iron is the best method in gettinh hair really straight .

 

taj

Well-Known Member

• Dec 21, 2008

• #18

I'm 14 weeks post and I just purchased a Solia flat iron. I will try the flat ironing method first to maintain my stretch to see how it works.

 

chamomile

New Member

• Mar 17, 2009

• #19

Flat-ironing seems like the best bet, but for me my roots always revert. I find that blow drying using a round broush gets my roots sleek for longer with more body. And I hate having the iron close to my scalp.

 

naturallygoldie

Well-Known Member

• Sep 14, 2009

• #20

any more responses ladies?

 

jasminea

New Member

• Oct 28, 2009

• #21

lila_baby said:

i would think that flat ironing the roots would be easier because as you take down each individual roller u can just zap it with the iron and not blow all the hair all over the place while trying to do it with the blow dryer. I don't know that's just my opinion

Click to expand...

This is what I do and it works great. I have a mini-travel flat iron (it's the only one I own because I hate using heat). I only use it the last two weeks of my stretch, and only if I feel I need to wear a straight style for an occassion. I feel it creates very little damage as I can use a low setting to get just roots tamed down enough to behave.