The Best way to flat iron natural black hair

Flat ironing your hair is a good way to give it a sleek and straight appearance. However, using a flat iron can be risky since the heat of this styling tool can cause some damage to your hair. There are some techniques and tips you need to know about in order to get good results. Here is the best way to flat iron natural black hair.

Start preparing your hair before flat ironing

You need to start preparing your hair before flat ironing it to prevent damage. Ideally, you do this by deep conditioning your hair. Use a protein treatment to strengthen your hair. You will get better results if you choose one that contains hydrolyzed protein.

Few things to do right before flat ironing your hair

Fekkai Apple Cider Clarifying Shampoo

You will get better results if you cleanse your hair just before straightening it. You can either use a cleansing and clarifying shampoo or simply make your own apple cider vinegar rinse. Make sure there are no oils or butter left in your hair since this could cause some serious damage to your hair if these products are still present when you flat iron your hair.

Hydrating your hair will also make a difference. The best way to hydrate your hair is to use a hair steamer to gently lift the cuticle. If you do not hydrate your hair, it will be more prone to heat damage.

Apply a liquid heat protectant to your hair after cleansing and towel-drying it, such as a silicone-based serum. You should also test your flat iron on a small portion of your hair to determine the right temperature setting and figure out how long you need to apply the flat iron to get the desired result.

Be careful while flat ironing your hair

Clean your flat iron before using it to make sure there are no build-ups or residues on the iron. It is best to proceed carefully and inspect each section of hair once you are done ironing it. If you notice that the hair is becoming brittle, you should lower the temperature setting of the iron. Never set your iron higher than 420 degrees Fahrenheit since this could cause your hair to burn. Even if your hair is naturally curly or kinky, CurlyNikki says that you don’t really a temp setting higher than 350 degrees; it’s just unnecessary heat.

Protect your hair before blow drying

You can apply more liquid heat protectant before blow drying your hair. It is best to wait before you blow dry your hair to give your hair enough to partially dry. Letting your hair dry by itself means you will only have to blow dry it for a few minutes, which should reduce the amount of heat your hair is exposed to. Your hair will look better if you point the blow dryer downward and make the sure the cuticle of your hair is flat.

Take care of your hair after you flat iron it

You should apply a serum or an oil to give your hair some shine after flat ironing it. It is best to protect your hair at night, for instance by wearing a scarf. Give your hair enough time to recover after you flat iron it. No matter how many products you use to protect your hair, you will notice some heat damage if you flat iron your hair too often. If your hair has become brittle, take a break from flat ironing it for a while. You should also avoid exposure to steam and moisture since this could revert the texture of your hair. Make sure you apply a protein treatment regularly to strengthen your hair after the flat ironing process.

The key to flat ironing natural black hair without damaging it is to find a method and hair care products that work for you. Avoid flat ironing your hair too often. Take care of your hair before and after ironing it. It is important to find a protein treatment that really works for you and to know when your hair is too brittle to flat iron. You will get better results if you wait some time before flat ironing your hair again.