I'm just curious if anyone here has curly hair and has had it chemically straightened before. If so, did it go back (when it grew out) to being as curly as it was before? And did you have to do much to keep it straight? I mean, did it go back to frizzy within the week or month or did it stay straight all the time? I'd really like to try it but I just don't want it to ruin my hair or make it more time consuming to style. Also, can you get your hair chemically straightened when you're pregnant? ********************************************************************** 08-04-05, 01:05 PM Georgia85 I have extremely thick and wirey coarse long (to my waist) curly hair. I have had it chemically straightened via a variety of methods.
When the hair grows back, yes it is curly. The texture of your hair has been determined on a genetic level so all new re-growth will revert to the way your hair once was.
On several occasions after having my hair straightened it was curly within a week. The first process I used was suppose to last 3 months. Sometimes it would last for 1 month....sometimes for a week. It was a product made by Matrix and cost over $100...but that was at least 5 years ago so I'm sure the product has improved.
The second way I had my hair chemically straightened was by using Lye....NEVER use it!!!! Half my hair came out in in clumps and what didn't come out broke off half way down the hair shaft. I RUINED my hair and had to have it all cut off and went for extensive hair conditioning treatments. It was the worst hair experience I ever had. That was 2001 and now, 4 years later, my hair is back to my waist.
I've come to accept my hair and would not recommend ever chemically straightening hair. It really is not worth it when you can accomplish the same feat with a little time, a little patience, excellent styling products, and a good flat iron. Smile
As for straightening you hair while pregnant I don't believe it is recommemded during the first trimester. The chemicals in a hair straightener are similiar to the chemicals in a perm solution and I don't think it is recommended to have a perm during the early stages of pregnancy. ********************************************************************** 08-05-05, 09:07 AM Lydia I have extremely curley hair and have had it chemically straightened once - - NEVER again!!!!! It's simply not worth it. First of all, curley hair will never be the same as straight hair - chemically straightened or not. So, if you think your hair will be just like someone else's that is straight, think again.
The only thing I can say is think about it - - you've had your hair for however old you are and you've figured out how to deal with it and what you can and can't do. Imagine waking up one day with different hair and you don't know how to style it and you're starting all over again. I hated my hair straight and I never could figure out what to do with it so wore it up till it grew out.
Chemically straightened hair will never be the same as straight hair!!! ********************************************************************** 08-05-05, 09:27 AM dangergurly9 I also have very curly long hair and I went here not too long ago and had a chemical straightener put on it..was a waste of money.It was also supposed to last 3 mths...is lasted a week.The product they used on me was something new made by Nexus. I would never pay the money to have it done again.If I want straight hair...that is what they make flat irons for and it only takes me about 15 minutes to get it done. Big Grin They also make the flat irons so that you dont have to blow dry your hair first,you can use it on wet hair and it does not fry it. ********************************************************************** 08-05-05, 10:07 AM Georgia85 There is a flat iron for WET hair? I am not familiar with that and my hairdresser has certainly never recommended one. Do you remember the model of it dangergurly? ********************************************************************** 08-05-05, 02:30 PM dangergurly9 I can't remember the name off hand, but I saw it on a late night infomercial Big Grin ********************************************************************** 08-05-05, 04:47 PM Georgia85 Well next time you are up late and see it again please let me know! Smile ********************************************************************** 08-05-05, 08:53 PM Sherasi I googled it and found lots of products out there.
Here is one I found. Smile (Vidal Sassoon) ********************************************************************** 08-05-05, 08:56 PM Sherasi Here is another (Remington) ********************************************************************** 08-08-05, 08:31 AM Georgia85 Thanks Sher. I've just done some research as well and there are apparently many flat irons out now that can be used on wet hair. One reaches a temp of 410F. I still find it hard to believe that flat-ironing wet hair is a good idea. I'll have to ask a hair professional before I try it. Don't want another hair fiasco Roll Eyes ********************************************************************** 08-13-05, 04:48 AM Lil_L Georgia, even though straightening wet hair has good looking results and saves time...its a lot more damaging to your hair! never straighten wet hair! ********************************************************************** 08-13-05, 06:54 AM Sherasi I would never straighten my hair from wet to dry now that I know how damaging it is.
I discovered the folly of just such a move to my own detriment. Frown ********************************************************************** 08-15-05, 09:00 AM Georgia85 No worries Lil_L....I would never do that. I'm too much a follower of facts and not a follower of trends. I've always known you were never to apply heat directly to wet hair. Unfortunately, the power of advertising is strong and some people will believe what they see and end up really damaging their hair. But thanks for looking out for me! Smile ********************************************************************** 09-07-05, 10:55 AM dangergurly9 Just a quick last note on straightening hair...I do have a flat iron and I do use it on occasion now that my curls are back from the chemical process that did not work..BUT I have found that there is a oil that Black people use in thier hair that I love for my hair..it's called "Lusters Pink Oil Moisturizer". When I get out of the shower wether I am going to use the flat iron on it or not I simply add a little of this to my hair and I don't know any other way to put it other than I love the stuff.It keeps it from frizzies if I want to leave it down and if I do flat iron, I add a little to each section of hair especially on the ends.I think it's great stuff and would recomend it to anyone!! ********************************************************************** 09-14-05, 08:21 PM Texan-In-Exile I straightened my hair chemically when I was 19 - I believe the product was "CurlFree." It didn't make much difference; I don't know how much products have improved since then, 'cuz I haven't tried any. My hair, especially right now, is in such poor shape that I am afraid to use a chemical straightener.
However, one night, a few years ago, my daughter sat me down and used a straightening iron on my hair. I LOVED IT!!! It was the hair I wanted! I will probably soon try an iron on it again, and I'll let you know if I still like the results I get. Thanks dangergurly9 for the info about "Luster's Pink Oil Moisturizer" - I'll keep that in mind. Smile ********************************************************************** 09-14-05, 08:54 PM Sherasi I'll have to look that stuff up too.
If there is any group of people with curly hair, that would be the group who knows what to use to manage the curls! ********************************************************************** 10-13-05, 03:43 PM Krist3nxo3 does anyone know a good straighter i can use that works very well and QUICKLY. i NEVER blowdry my hair... i take a shower at night and let it airdry. in the morning i take it out of my bun .. but its a frizzy/curly mess. i want to find straighten that works very quickly with great results since i dont have alot of time to get ready in the morning before school starts! ********************************************************************** 10-14-05, 07:31 AM Lydia I've lived with VERY curly hair my entire life - - I think you will be extremely hard pressed to find a product that will straighten your hair without using a blowdryer or a straightening iron.
All the goop in the world isn't going to keep your hair straight - it might keep it flat, but that's about it. You could, at a hair salon, have your hair chemically straightened, but I've tried it twice with poor results. ********************************************************************** 10-14-05, 08:39 AM Georgia85 Lydia is right. You can't change your hair structure by simply putting on a product unless you use a chemical one which will break down the hair structure, ultimately damaging your hair after repeated uses. And even chemical products only last for so long. With the re-growth of hair comes your old hair type.
If you want straight hair you have to be willing to invest time and energy. My hair is to my waist and very coarse and curly. When I straighten it there has to be very low humidity in the air and it takes me 2 total hours of blow-drying and then using a flat iron.
The best thing for you is probably to accept what you have and work with it. Since time is of the essence and you don't blow dry your hair this is what you can add to your evening routine that will help. After you wash your hair apply a good silicone hair serum and comb through with a wide tooth comb. The silicone is what tames frizzies and combats humidity. I prefer Zero Frizz Corrective Hair Serum or Pantene Smooth & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum . After you have combed it through pull your hair up in a high pony tail and braid. In the morning when you unbraid it, you will have neat, shiny defined. waves. For a looser look, do your bun but try something different. Pull your hair back, wrap it around to form your bun, and then take a hair scrunchie and wrap it around the bun to secure it. The fabric will help to keep your hair smoothed down as you sleep. Then in the morning, remove and you will have looser waves.
Hope some of these suggestions help you and welcome to the pool! ********************************************************************** 03-30-06, 01:46 PM LucyLuu Get yourself a sedu flat iron. I will never use chemical straightners. Try using hair serum when you straighten with a flat iron.
Edited to remove advertising link.
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