Flatironing Do's and Don'ts
- After washing and clarifying your hair and nice thick cream/sealant is good to protect your hair even more from damage. Less is more here as the more product you apply, the more it will weigh down and stiffen your hair
- Cleanse with a clarifying shampoo or use an apple cider vinegar rinse to guarantee the removal of build-up, prior to flat ironing.
- Deep condition your hair once a week for two to three weeks prior to straightening. Your hair’s condition can change your heat tolerance.
- Consider a protein treatment within a week prior to and straightening to help strengthen the hair
- Choose a moisturizing conditioner with hydrolyzed proteins, whenever possible.
- Treat your tresses to hydration therapy, while deep conditioning. Intense moisture from a hair steamer will lift the cuticle and offer a healthy dose of hydration to the cortex. Dry, brittle hair heats rapidly and is more prone to heat damage.
- Apply a liquid heat protectant prior to blow drying, preferably after the hair has been towel dried.
- Opt for silicone-based serums (in addition to the liquid) for shine, smoothness, and added heat protection.
- Keep your appliances clean. Old, hardened, debris on your flat iron can snag hairs and cause damage.
- Allow your hair to air dry at least 50% before blow drying to minimize heat exposure and chances of heat damage.
- Always blow dry hair in a downward direction to make sure that the cuticle is flat. This will set the foundation for a more quality flat ironing process.
- Work with hair in sections. It makes the process much easier.
- Apply oil, serum, or finishing sheen AFTER flat ironing, for lasting shine and durability.
- Wrap or bun your flat ironed hair at night with a silk or satin scarf to keep it from becoming dry, or reverting due to night sweating. (Throw in a few bantu knots, large cornrows, flat twists, or flexi rods overnight for added texture and fun.)
- Always patch test, first, to determine the temperature at which to set your flat iron. Each texture responds differently to heat.
- Wrap hair well at night to prevent frizziness and reversion
- Apply a small amount of oil to your hair each day to prevent dryness
- Use a showercap when showering to avoid the steam from reverting your hair
- Use sweat/headbands while working out to prevent the sweat from reverting your hair and allow your hair to dry completely before removing it
- Do not flat iron your hair every day.
- To keep hair from frizzing or reverting, stay away from water-based moisturizers and steam at this time. We don’t want that hard work to be in vain.
- Do not forget to use a protein treatment once your flat ironed ‘do is done. Your hair will need to be reconstructed and restrengthened.
- Do not neglect to deep condition and treat your mane to more hydration therapy after washing away your straight style.
- Dodge styles that cause stress to the hair due to over manipulation or tension. It is important to choose styles that allow your tresses to just be, so avoid tight and high maintenance styles.
- Avoid over applying heavy creams and butters as that will weigh down your hair and decrease the amount of time you hair stays straight
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