Which is More Damaging: Heat or Relaxers
Printed From: HairBoutique.com
Category: African American Hair
Forum Name: African American Hair
Forum Description: Devoted to the special needs of African Americans.
URL: https://talk.hairboutique.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=34620
Printed Date: November 04 2025 at 10:40pm
Topic: Which is More Damaging: Heat or Relaxers
Posted By: chi27
Subject: Which is More Damaging: Heat or Relaxers
Date Posted: August 25 2005 at 10:53am
|
I've been trying to let my hair go longer without resorting to relaxers on my new growth. I've become a product junkie after lurking on this forum even more than I already was before. LOL I've been using Cream of Nature shampoo, Salerm, a heat activated conditioner periodically, and as soon as it arrives, I'll add ORS to my arsenal to battle my bad hair. My question is it too damaging to use a flat iron if I'm using a heat protectant versus putting chemicals on my hair? Is it further damaging to my hair to use a ceramic flat iron on the relaxed growth even if I'm using a good heat protectant and the temperature isn't too high? Finally, is flat iron use less harmful (even on relaxed hair) than trying to blow dry it straight? ------------- Visit my site www.benbrowderguide.com |
I've noticed that the shedding/breakage has stopped now that I have started taking better care of my hair and not neglecting it by putting products in it that tended to dry it out. Certainly, I've noticed that my hair is fuller and I there's been a bit of growth since I started all this in May.Replies:
Posted By: SimplyAlex
Date Posted: August 25 2005 at 4:16pm
|
Using heat on relaxer hair is like hitting your broken leg with a bat. Using heat on natural hair is not as bad but too much can be as damaging as a relaxer. ------------- Hair Type: 4a/3c Natural Hair Length: Mid Back (growing out Layers) Hair Goal: Long Layered Waist length/ Super Healthy! |
Posted By: cookiesnkream
Date Posted: August 25 2005 at 5:45pm
|
Ok heres my opinion on this  Firstly I use
relaxing my hair lightly and i use heat on it and with the proper conditioners and products my hair GLOWS but that may be just my specific hair.. I think chemicals are worse than heat but only worse than heat in moderation,, too much heat can just burn your hair right off,,hair is still healthier if it not relaxed,, relaxer just damages the hair becuz thats how it works its magic,, i think that hair is stronger if not chemiclly altered,, so if u can get away with just heat in moderation(not too often,not too high temps) then try it:-) good luck ------------- Hair type: 3b some c?, fine strands, last relaxer sept 05, never again!!! current :ap length on sides,,nearly bsl in back, damn those old frazzled ends! I am hair OBSESSED |
Posted By: Sweet_Ambrosia
Date Posted: August 25 2005 at 6:03pm
If you flat iron your hair too often it can be damaging even if you use a heat protectant along with it. Chemicals can be damaging as well if you apply it too often and dont properly take care of your hair. I'd say that using a flat iron may be less harmful than using a blowdryer to get hair straight, since blowdrying takes more time than flat ironing. IMO ------------- *Transitioned Successfully (7-20-05~7-20-07) *100 Natural~3c/4a *Hair Goal: WSL *stretched/straighten* '08 |
chi27 wrote:Posted By: Pokahontas
Date Posted: August 26 2005 at 3:27am
|
Both can be damaging but I think relaxing would be more damaging than flat ironing. And, blow drying to get the straight look is more damaging than flat ironing. I hardly ever blow dry and only flat iron once every 2 weeks. Your hair will be much more healthy if left natural and if you don't put relaxers or heat on it (or limit heat use), it will grow even more. ------------- |
Posted By: Renee
Date Posted: August 26 2005 at 5:01pm
|
blowdrying to get the straight look is les damaging because blowdrying is not direct heat. flat ironing is direct heat. JMO ------------- |
Posted By: Donda
Date Posted: August 28 2005 at 8:10pm
|
I think it depends on your texture (thin, medium, thick) or hair type (1-4) With all if you have a relaxer then avoid heat as much as possible only flat iron right after you have washed and deep condtioned your hair(don't do it on dirty hair). But flat ironing should be used to help extend your relaxer so wait until about 5-6 weeks after you relax before you start. As far as which is the lesser of the evils each has it draw backs: ------------- Thick 4A Hair, Relaxed every 8 weeks. Contributing writer at xicamagazine.4t.com |
Posted By: oskana
Date Posted: August 30 2005 at 9:05pm
|
like others have said using heat in moderating is less damaging thean chemicals i think. |