Hiya,
right in two weeks I would like to flat iron my hair, now the only thing is that I have had it in braids back to back for almost 6 years.
My hair is natural, now this is what I need help with:
- what kind of treatments should/ or can I do before I flat Iron? like oil, dc etc
-The day before I plan to flat iron my hair, I co-wash my hair with some baking soda added to the conditioner to clarify or if I haven't shampooed in a few months, I shampoo with baking soda added. After the wash, I deep condition with heat and DO NOT USE A SEALANT--no oil, no serum--for about an hour. I gently detangle with my fingers only and then I do a couple of bantu knots or twist to keep my hair from getting tangled again.
-The day of flat ironing I do not use any oil or leave in on my hair and I treat my hair very delicately and manipulate it as little as possible. I deep condition with heat again on DRY hair. When I DC I use a light oil to coat the strands. I rinse with cold water, apply a smoothing conditioner and then rinse again with cold water and apple cider vinegar.
-I apply Sabino Moisture Block and comb it through my wet hair. I section my hair and once it is about half way dry, I blow dry it from the bottom to the top. I use the nozzle attachment and just comb though with the dryer on cool or warm. Once my hair is blow dried, I am ready to flat iron!
- how do I flat iron successfully- without burning my hair?
Use a lower heat. The first time I ever flat ironed, I was terrified of frying my hair and I didn't go higher than 275. Now I flat iron at 375, but no higher. I also do not go over hair more than two or three times, but if you can get it in one go, this is best.
Flat ironing in thin sections will also help you get your hair straighter without having the go over the section multiple times.
Use the chase method (pulling a fine tooth comb through your hair and following with the flat iron so that it only straightens completely detangled hair. It also creates more tension).
- what types of flat irons are the best?
I use a Solia. It was relatively in expensive and it really well.
- what do I need to flat iron? i.e. heat protectant- which ones are good?
I use a small amount of smoothing cream followed by a heat protectant. My favorite heat protectant is Sabino Moisture Block. In terms of amounts of products, less is more!
- how to maintain flat ironed hair for s long as possible!
Pin curls every night or using flexirods.
- how to treat your hair after flat ironing... to get moisture back?
I clarify to get the silicone from the Sabino out and then I DC. Sometimes I do a protein treatment and follow with a DC.
Thanks allot for your help ladies!!!
