How I maintained my Flat Ironed Type 4 Natural Hair

I don’t flat-iron my hair often, usually only once a year, mainly because I like the texture of my hair when it’s not straighten. A few benefits of flat-ironing is being able to see the ‘true length’ of your hair. Straightening your hair can also add versatility in your styling routine.

A few disadvantages of flat-ironing natural hair is that it may not revert back to your curls or kinky/coily hair as quickly. Also, it may be hard to maintain straighten hair during working-outs or when it rains. As a result, many naturals find that their flat ironed hair only lasts for a very short time. Here are a few ways I kept my type 4 hair straight for two weeks, now I could have kept it straight longer; however, I just wanted my kinky/coily hair back.

First Things First – Go To A Professional

Yes! I suggest getting your hair done by a licensed professional. Many naturals are comfortable with doing there own hair; however, I believe it’s best in these circumstances. The concern with going to a professional is trust, especially with all the articles about salons and stylist sneaking relaxers in on clients shampoo. However, the results of having your hair flat-ironed by a professional will be a lot better.

Now if you are having a hard time finding a stylist you trust, or cannot afford to go to a salon. I suggest investing in a good professional flat iron, make sure it has heat control settings.

Preserving Your Flat-Ironed Hair

Some naturals like to wrap their to there hair; however, when I do this I found that my hair has no bounce it just lays flat. Personally, I do not enjoy when my hair just lays flat. To keep my hair straight with a added curls and no heat, I use flexirods and curlformers. I love how using these tools help keep my hair straight with some bounce, while adding loose waves for a full look.

Curlformers Pictured

Flexirods Pictured 

Minimal Product Use

Kinky/coily type 4 hair requires lots and lots of moisture, I tend to use creams, butters, steam and oil. When my hair is straight using butters weighs it down and creams make it revert back to kinky/coils. In place of heavy products, I like to use light oils light oils such as grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, or sweet almond oil. I lightly coat my hands with oil and apply to my hair daily. Doing this helps prevent dryness without weighing the hair down my hair.

Flexirods Pictured 

Another important factor to maintaining straight hair for an extended period of time is how you protect your hair when you sleep. Be sure to keep your hair protected while you sleep, use a satin/silk bonnet t or sleep on a satin/silk pillowcase.

Rain & Steam/Humidity

When my hair is in its natural state, I don’t worry about rain and humidity. The day I had my hair straightened it rain and rain. I kept a disposable shower cap in my bag and my umbrella to avoid the rain.  I usually don’t wear a shower cap; however, with straight hair is necessary.

Working Out

Doing low intensity workouts will help minimize sweating be sure to use a sweatband during workouts. Sweatbands are a great way to keep your edges flat be sure your hair is completely dry before removing, if needed you can use handheld blow dryer on low cool-heat to make the process faster.

If you really want to get the most out of your flat-ironed, hair I suggest not to hang out at the pool or to the beach. If you do be sure to pin your hair up this will help extend the quality for your straighten hair.

Additional Info and suggestion :

I suggest using a Dri Sweat Edge Women’s Headband or Save Your Do Black GymWrap while working out to make your hair last. I don’t suggest strengthening your hair in the middle of summer when it’s most humid outside also when it’s hot you may be prone to sweat.

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I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU (LEAVE A COMMENT).

• How often to you straighten your hair?
• How do you style your hair when its straight?
• What products work best for you when your hair is straight?
• Have you tried any of these suggestions? If yes how did they work for you?

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