HELP:Alternative to using the flat iron

I need suggestions for my hair.
My usual routine is to wash my hair 2x a week and wrap it and put it under the dryer and then I flat iron it to get it straight.
Is that bad for my hair even although I deep condition it every week?
If so, can anyone give me another alternative on how to get it straight without the flat iron? I have real thick hair.
Thanks a lot.

Once a week may not be as bad as say, every two days, but it is always best to not use heat on your hair when possible. As for some other techniques that you can use, well, if your hair is really thick, I don`t really know. I have relaxed hair which is naturally thick and continues to be that way sometimes. A few times, after a shampoo and my hair was wet, I applied Lottabody (make sure it is mixed with water and don`t use too much or it will leave your hair crunchy and hard to comb) on it and I wrapped it. The next day, when it was completely dry, I rubbed some grease on the wrapped hair to oil it and loosen up the wrap. Then I combed it down and it was straight with a nice bend to it. The following nights, I just wrapped it up, and it looked fine. It was straight, no bushy ends. Or you could do the technique I described and sit under a dryer to get it to dry quicker, which may be better than flat ironing the hair, since the heat is much stronger on the hair when you flat iron it.

THank you all for advice.