Dos:
- 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.
- To minimize heat exposure and chances of heat damage, allow your hair to air dry at least 50% before blow drying.
- 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.
No comments yet.
