Blow Drying/Heat Styling: My Technique (Requested Topic)

Stephanie, a friend of mine requested that I share my technique when using heat, so here goes...

I always follow a few key steps before I apply any heat to my hair; always start on freshly washed hair, beware of heat damage, and prepare to devote the necessary time and labor for best results. 

Blow Drying

1. Wash, condition, and detangle as normal. 
2. Apply a leave-in conditioner and twist hair in 4-6 sections. 
3. Allow hair to partially dry. (about 2 hours) 
4. Take down one twist and detangle again if needed.
5. apply a heat protecting product of your choice. 
6. Use blow dryer on low heat setting with comb attachment.
7. Start and the ends of the hair and work your way up to the roots.
8. Apply a light oil and lightly re-twist.
9. Repeat steps 1-8 on each section.
10. Untwist each section and style.

Flat Ironing

1. Wash, condition, and detangle as normal.
2. Apply a leave-in conditioner and twist into 4-6 sections.
3. Allow hair to dry completely. (For me this is 10+ hours so plan accordingly)
4. Take down one section.
5. Apply a heat protector.
6. Take a small piece of the section and use flat iron on lowest setting for desired results.
• Bone straight hair will require higher temperatures.
• Try passing the flat iron only once or twice on each section.
7. Repeat steps 1-6 on each section.

Low/Medium Heat
11/2012

Low/Medium Heat
8/2011 (before second big chop)

Medium Heat
9/2012

Medium Heat
7/2012

Lowest Heat
8/2013

Tips:

• Never use temperatures higher than 450 degrees
• Always work with clean hair and clean tools.
• If your ends are split and damaged it will effect your results. (consider clipping before using heat)
• Always deep condition after heat use.
• Use heat sparingly, even at lowest temperature you may sustain heat damage if used too frequently.

Do you use heat? How often? What is your technique?