If you flat iron too much and dont use some type of heat protectant than yes it can be damaging to the hair, it doesnt matter if the hair is relaxed, natural or texturized.

My hair is relaxed & healthy, I flat iron once or twice a month to see how much progess Im making, and each time I do I use a heat protectant.

Layla, what relaxer did you use last time?

Ambrosia, what heat protectant do you use?

I'm actually looking for a good flat iron for my hair and a heat protectant to go with. But, I think when I relax my hair next, I'm going to roller set and wrap.

Honeydoo wrote: Ambrosia, what heat protectant do you use?

Ion Anti-Frizz Solutions heat protectant.

Once a month is great. I think I use direct heat about twice a month. Still good I think. As it grows longer I think I'll be able to get away with no heat at all except for in dire emergencies.

Also, sista is the Ion Anti Frizz a watery spray? Does it make the hair sticky or stick to the ceramic iron at all? What kind of iron do you guys use and what setting? (I'm sorry, I have lots of questions.)

Fahrenheit or Celsius, Layla?

Eeep.  That's about where I set mine.

I went to the hairdresser today for my first touch-up since the end of December and she mentioned that the hair in the back of my head is definitely heat-damaged.  That'd be the flatiron - but it's my own fault for using it too often.  There's actually a part that's broken off altogether, and I had a lot of split ends (before she trimmed). 

However, she said that overall, my hair was in great condition - so I guess that I'll have a friend snip individual broken/split strands until July, when she can check me out again.

She recommended Biosilk Heat Protectant unreservedly, which is nice.  I love that stuff.

Sistaslick wrote: I am relaxed and I flat iron w/ my ceramic iron once a month  This is the only time each month that I use any form of direct heat on my hair.

Sistaslick- What is your hair type. and also what kind of flat iron do you use.

Waaaay too much.  Usually I flat iron once a week, but around 12 weeks post-relaxer, sometimes as often as three times in one week.  It comes from insecurity.

I used the flatiron once on hair that wasn't entirely dry.  That was a big mistake.  Probably where the burned patch came from.  Oh, well.  Live and learn.

i'll second that comment about being able to damage your hair with an iron whether relaxed or natural.

i had my sister do a blow out for me over this past winter...wasnt straight enough after the blow dry so she followed with the flat iron..but we both forgot to put some heat protectant on my hair...HUGE MISTAKE.  its a testament to how strong my hair was, now that its natural, taht it didnt all burn to a crisp.

i'm still dealing with split ends as a result..in some areas my hair hasnt split, but the middle of the shaft is a little warped...i'm scared of heat now as a result. 

i think you can use heat, the key is moderation and protecting your hair as most people have already mentioned.

I use a flat iron and i don't have a relaxer.  I usually use it once every two weeks.  It can be damaging to any type of hair if used to often and on too high of a heat setting, or without sometype of heat protectant. 

I am curious as to what kind of heat protectant everyone uses?  I tried Paul Mitchel, The Heat and it didn't work well for me. 

CrazyHairGurl wrote: Hey Pokahontas, today I used Softee Bergamot Hair Dressing & Pressing Oil (Dry Hair Formula), I like the stuff, it promised what is wrote. It is Water Repellant, I was dancing, and it was hot and the sweat didn't revert my hair back to its natural state (this is good for those who exercise). My hair is also soft and flexible (not stiff and hard), the only problem is that it contains Petrolatum. I don't care myself if I use it, cause my hair will never grow and it is already damaged so, I don't care if I clog it, but for others I know it is a major no no. Other than that I like it, and it smells good too, I have to have a cremy/waxy substance for my hair, oils(liquidy) or serums, just don't cut it for me when I flat iron.

Okay, thanks.  I think I've heard of that but I've never tried it.  Right now I just use Black and Sassy oil sheen spray before I flat iron, or BB Mega Gro.  They both work well for me but I don't know if they are protecting my hair.  Curious....why do you say your hair will never grow?

My hair won't grow cause it is SO damaged. I never knew how to take care of relaxed hair, cause my mom doesn't know alot about it (not that I am blaming her). Anyway my hair is dry and I have a lot of split ends, I am in DIRE need of a treatment and a hair cut, but my mother won't pay, she those type of women who think they know EVERYTHING about hair,lol . Anyway that is why my hair will never grow, everytime I relax it I end up screwing it up, which is why I don't care what I do with it anymore.