Using a flat iron on natural hair requires careful preparation and technique to avoid damage. It's crucial to remember that heat styling can be damaging, so this should only be done occasionally.
Preparing Your Hair
Before you even think about turning on your flat iron, proper preparation is key:
- Wash and Condition: Start with clean, thoroughly conditioned hair. This helps to protect your hair from heat damage.
- Deep Condition: A deep conditioning treatment before heat styling adds extra moisture and protection.
- Detangle: Use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to gently detangle your hair to prevent snags and breakage during the straightening process. The reference video mentions that the flat iron itself can aid in detangling as you work through the hair.
- Apply Heat Protectant: This is crucial. A heat protectant spray or serum creates a barrier between your hair and the heat, significantly reducing damage. Apply evenly throughout your hair.
- Sectioning: Divide your hair into manageable sections. This ensures even heat distribution and prevents you from missing any areas.
Flat Ironing Your Hair
- Low and Slow: Begin with a lower heat setting on your flat iron. Gradually increase the temperature if needed, but avoid excessively high heat.
- Small Sections: Work with small, thin sections of hair. Larger sections can lead to uneven straightening and potential damage.
- Smooth Strokes: Glide the flat iron smoothly and steadily from root to tip in one motion. Avoid pausing or going over the same section multiple times unnecessarily.
- Even Pressure: Apply even pressure as you glide the iron down the hair shaft. Too much pressure can damage your hair.
- Tension Control: Keep a gentle tension on your hair as you straighten, but avoid pulling too tightly.
Post-Flat Ironing Care
- Cool Down: Let your hair cool completely before touching or brushing it.
- Moisturize: Use a moisturizing oil or cream to replenish moisture lost during the heat styling process.
Example: Imagine you are working on a small section of hair about 1 inch wide. You apply even pressure with the flat iron and glide it smoothly from root to tip in one fluid motion. This process is repeated for each small section until your entire head is styled. The reference video suggests continuing this process section by section until your whole head is straightened.
