Bunning Ladies, No-heat, Air-drying, Weave,& So on...

[MizaniMami]

Or anybody who is successfully avoiding heat to retain length.

How often do you use direct heat? I am contemplating changing my whole regimen to include no heat. I have been doing no heat since April 1st (can you believe it?! ) and I am doing a personal no heat for a month challenge to see how this works.

But I still want to flat iron once in a while. I think I may do it every other week or every 2 weeks.

I wanted to get some ideas from other ladies. How often do you low/no heat users use direct heat (flat ironing or blowdrying) without it damaging your hair?

 

[KiSseS03]

For me even when I tried to use direct heat once a week, it was too much. My hair made a complete turn-around when I just stopped using direct heat altogether. The first time I gave up heat I went cold-turkey for 5 months and after that I was hooked, based on the results... My hairdresser barely had to trim my hair. I stopped using heat again on November 24th and only flat-ironed once (April 1st like you!) to check length, and it's no heat again for five months now. If I want to smooth my hair out now, I just roller-set and let it airdry.

 

[Sweet_Ambrosia]

I use heat every 4-5 months or so.

 

[Mestiza]

I don't use any direct heat, whatsoever and my hair loves me for it. Recently, I started deep conditioning under a dryer and my hair loves it! I always airdry my hair and wear it in a bun, most times. My hair is so healthy.

 

[Healthb4Length]

I use heat when I do my deep treatments. I only use direct heat once in awhile, like every 5 months or so. I just wear a bun or braids or other protective styles 99% of the time. I just purchased an Ion soft bonnet dryer and I'm hoping to do more straight styles with it, I hope that it's not damaging, I dont' believe it is.

 

[OneInAMillion]

Or anybody who is successfully avoiding heat to retain length.

How often do you use direct heat? I am contemplating changing my whole regimen to include no heat. I have been doing no heat since April 1st (can you believe it?! ) and I am doing a personal no heat for a month challenge to see how this works.

But I still want to flat iron once in a while. I think I may do it every other week or every 2 weeks.

I wanted to get some ideas from other ladies. How often do you low/no heat users use direct heat (flat ironing or blowdrying) without it damaging your hair?

Great question! I'm doing the same thing (a personal no-heat mini challenge). I used to use direct heat on my roots weekly, but I've gone 3 weeks minus heat so far. I'd like to cut back to at least every 3 weeks (blowing my roots only) and see what happens. From what I see, cutting back makes my hair more full & shiny, and I'm trying to see if growth will increase. I'm curious to know if anyone else has had luck with this as well...

 

[Sistaslick]

once a month for me-- mainly for the sake of checking up on my ends. Its usually bunned back up by the end of the day

 

[cocowhite]

I only use heat the day after a relaxer, so I can flat iron and check length and pretty goes back up into a bun. However, I have used heat once last month for length check and this month for Easter.

 

[PinkAngel]

Once a month....

 

[joyous]

Once ever 3 weeks.

 

[simplycee]

I think the last time I used a blow dryer was back in December to check length. I think in 2005 I may have used a blow dryer 4 times (maybe). Its been almost 3 years since I've used a curling iron. Now I use my maxiglide once every 2-3 months.

I have found other ways to get my hair straight so direct heat isn't really necessary for me anymore. My rule is if I'm wearing my hair straight or out I do it for 3 days (that's how long I go between washes) and then its back in a bun or clip for the rest of the week.

 

[FlyyGyrl]

I only use heat after a relaxer and even that is just to check length. So every 4 months for me.

ETA: I use the cool setting on my blow dryer. I still count it as heat.

 

[MizaniMami]

Whoa, I think every 3-5 mos if def. too long for me.

I think once every 3 weeks or a month is goof for me though.

Do you ladies worry about feeling 'cute?' I go a lot of places and I feel more, should I say, polished with my hair down.

How do you ladies feel abotu this issue?

 

[SparklingFlame]

Do you ladies worry about feeling 'cute?' I go a lot of places and I feel more, should I say, polished with my hair down.

How do you ladies feel abotu this issue?

I think its about personal preferance. I would feel cute wearing it however I felt like wearing it at the time be it in a bun, or ponytail (like I can get my hair in a ponytail!).

I havent used any direct heat in almost 4 months but tonight I am going to use my blow dryer on warm so that I can see the leanght more and to make my twists longer.

 

[alexstin]

I usually only use direct heat when I get a relaxer so about every 14 weeks. When I first started taking better care of my hair the thought of no direct heat sent shivers down my spine . Now, no biggie. I'm able to achieve a straight look with a rollerset if I want to. I usually wear my hair in a rollerset(traditional and flexirod) and have no problems feeling "cute" .

DH actually likes me to wear a bun since he likes my hair up. When I wear it up it's usually up with a hair claw.

 

[MizaniMami]

I usually only use direct heat when I get a relaxer so about every 14 weeks. When I first started taking better care of my hair the thought of no direct heat sent shivers down my spine . Now, no biggie. I'm able to achieve a straight look with a rollerset if I want to. I usually wear my hair in a rollerset(traditional and flexirod) and have no problems feeling "cute" .

DH actually likes me to wear a bun since he likes my hair up. When I wear it up it's usually up with a hair claw.

Damn I wish my hair would get straight with a roller set *jealous*

Your hair is gorgeous by the way!

 

[alexstin]

It doesn't get straight like it would with a flat iron but just the ends looked bumped so it has a little swing.

Have you ever tried setting it on large rollers and wrapping? I don't know how to wrap but I will tie the top down and tuck the rest under a bonnet for a nice bumped look.

Thanks for the compliment! You hair is very pretty!!!

 

[taraglam2]

once a month for me-- mainly for the sake of checking up on my ends. Its usually bunned back up by the end of the day

Exactly what Sistaslick said above. Heat once a month--that's it and that one day that heat is applied, my hair is back in a bun later that day.

 

[NYRICAN1]

What do you ladies do when you have new growth. do you just rollerset and wrap? I usually get my roots blown but I am noticing my hair is getting slightly thinner so I am thinking of stopping my stylist from doing this.

 

[FlyyGyrl]

Do you ladies worry about feeling 'cute?' I go a lot of places and I feel more, should I say, polished with my hair down.

How do you ladies feel abotu this issue?

Oh yes I stay flyy all the time (Hence my name). I am the girl who is always done. Never wear sneakers, always dressed to a T. I am able to get my hair really straight without heat (satin scarf method). Also I am pretty good with straw sets bantu knots etc. Luckily I look really good in a bun. So for me its not an issue. Oh yea I yr ago I thought I couldn't live without heat Its very do-able.

 

[MizaniMami]

Flyy girl

Okaaaaay! I see you with your bad self lol. I guess the name matches the face. Love it!

What is your silk scarf drying method?

 

[divya]

I have only used heat once on my hair twice since the beginning of 2006. I hardly use heat...

 

[Cichelle]

I don't ever use heat on my hair. Lately, I've been tempted to blow it dry just to see what it would look like. But I've been putting it off. I kinda don't want to break my no heat streak. It has been about 3 years, maybe longer. And I guess I am now being extra careful since the b/c. My hair is healthy and I don't want to do anything to compromise that. I don't think blow drying it once would ruin my hair. But I'm still scared.

 

[SparklingFlame]

I don't ever use heat on my hair. Lately, I've been tempted to blow it dry just to see what it would look like. But I've been putting it off. I kinda don't want to break my no heat streak. It has been about 3 years, maybe longer. And I guess I am now being extra careful since the b/c. My hair is healthy and I don't want to do anything to compromise that. I don't think blow drying it once would ruin my hair. But I'm still scared.

Yeah i feel the same as you.

 

[FlyyGyrl]

Flyy girl

Okaaaaay! I see you with your bad self lol. I guess the name matches the face. Love it!

What is your silk scarf drying method?

Actually it's slyver2's method and I think she has photos of it in her album. Basically after washing my hair I apply my leave ins and seal with oil. I make sure the hair is combed and parted in whatever fashion I plan on wearing. Then while my hair is still wet I cover it with a satin/silk scarf and let it dry. If I want curly ends then I will apply rollers. Reniece also has a modified method in her album www.reniece.com. HTH

 

[carmella25]

I havent used heat in almost 3 1/2 years. I finally did it for the first time this month to check the length. I flat ironed it. I didnt add any products to it. It was so shiny and thick. I love my hair now.

All I do is put it in the bun using the baggie method.

 

[planodiva]

Mizani Mami,

Playing devils advocate here...I go to my stylist and she applies heat. So that is maybe once or twice a month(depending on my pocketbook). I totally have a heat phobia but my hair is growing as slow as molasses. I never apply heat at home and bun daily and I'm plain tired of it.

If just seems unfair and I don't want to give in to the whole genetically your hair is predestined myth but if I don't retain some growth soon I'm gone scream literally. For like three months nothing. GRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!

 

[Isis]

Actually it's slyver2's method and I think she has photos of it in her album. Basically after washing my hair I apply my leave ins and seal with oil. I make sure the hair is combed and parted in whatever fashion I plan on wearing. Then while my hair is still wet I cover it with a satin/silk scarf and let it dry. If I want curly ends then I will apply rollers. Reniece also has a modified method in her album www.reniece.com. HTH

Sylver2's method is a very good one and one of the other ladies on this board had instructions in her album too on airdrying in a scarf. I think it works best on hair that's relaxed straight. Mine was smooth on top but the rest was bushy, unless I didn't do it right.
ETA:
I just checked my notes and no, I didn't do Sylver2's airdrying scarf method right at all. I'm going to have to just do it. I use her regular, daily scarf method always, especially while stretching my relaxer - it's a must.

 

[Isis]

What do you ladies do when you have new growth. do you just rollerset and wrap? I usually get my roots blown but I am noticing my hair is getting slightly thinner so I am thinking of stopping my stylist from doing this.

I don't use any heat (since 2003), just airdry in rollersets. I've been recently learning new airdrying techniques, such as Neroli's airdrying bun technique. Wearing a silk or satin scarf over my newgrowth really helps to smooth it out and flatten it, including when I wear my hair down.

 

[juicy555]

I only get heat with touchup visits and that's less frequently now but used to be every 6 weeks. I agree with the satin scarf comments, works like magic to keep everything nice and smooth. Add the NTM silk leave in and yum yum, so silky Whenever I'm home I just slap that bad boy black satin scarf on my head.... although lately I'm starting to worry if I look frumpy to my man all the time!