Should You Straighten Your Natural Hair?

Having natural hair is amazing. The versatility hands down is the best part. Braid out, twist out, afro, wash and go, you name it and our hair can do it. But my favorite display of versatility is going from curly to straight hair.

You will run into some people that think straightening your natural hair isn’t healthy. They’ll say things like, “if you do that you’re not really natural” or “be careful or you’ll get heat damage.” I straighten my hair twice a year and leave it like that for two weeks. I never experience heat damage and I consider myself as natural as those who wear it curly year round.

I straighten my hair for any one of these four reasons:

1. I need to properly trim my ends
2. A different look
3. A proper length check
4. I simply need a break from my curly hair

You can still straighten your hair and be natural. Don’t be afraid to straighten it. Treat your hair delicately and take the necessary precautions when straightening and your hair will be just fine.

Stretch Your Hair Using Heatless Styles

No need to use a blow dryer if you can get away with it. Using techniques like banding or braids and twists that are pinned down across the width of you head will stretch your curls so they are elongated and knot free – this will ease the straightening process ten-fold.

If You Blow Dry Use a Low Heat Setting

Limiting how much heat you use to straighten your hair is ideal but for some of us, that isn’t an option. With that said, invest in a blow dryer that comes with a low and cool hair setting. Stretch your hair as much as you can before you blow dry – it will save you time and save your hair exposure to heat.

Use a Heat Protectant

This is key. A good heat protectant is the difference between heat damage or no heat damage and heat damage means losing your curl pattern.

Do Not Use a Flat Iron Set to Over 450F/232C

This is the temperature hair burns at so make sure you flat iron has a heat setting that you can set lower than 450F/232C. There’s really no way to come back from heat damage. Once your hair is burnt the only way to rectify it is to cut out the straight pieces.

Use the Chase Method

The chase method is literally when you chase the flat iron with a rat tail comb as the iron glides through your hair. This gives you a more precise blow out and this technique will limit how many times you have to pass the flat iron through your hair.

Check the Weather Report!!

I shouldn’t have to explain this point. There’s nothing worse than spending the money, and time, getting your hair blown out only to step out into a rain storm or have the humidity shock it back to its curly state! Ensure the weather Gods are in your favor BEFORE you invest.

Follow these precautions and everything will work out. And the best part? When you wash your hair, your curls bounce right back!