ok, talk to me about flat irons

cameragirl21 wrote: Ok, so let me first lay out the facts--I have long, thick, "Jewish" hair, which means it's curly when I go up North but here in S Florida it is more wavy and gets frizzy and BIG, you have no idea how many products I've put in it over the years to weigh it down. A couple years ago I got a chemical straightening that I absolutely loved. A year ago I did the Japanese straightening which I hated. I was told by a stylist who does a lot of Jewish hair that too much chemical straightening starts to lose its effect and just dries out the hair, so no more of that, I think.
My hair is coarse and strong, it can withstand a lot. I don't color and rarely blowdry, it just takes too long.
I'm toying with the idea of a flat iron...I am not so much seeking that super straight look, although I'd be totally fine with it but rather just looking to tame and keep it from getting so big. I really do have nice hair but I'm constantly pulling it back because it's driving me crazy.
My biggest issue, really, is that it kind of curls up around my face, and on top, kind of like a mixed race black/white person's hair would, if you can picture that. For some reason a small amount just doesn't grow and just frizzes out around my face so for that I usually put in some product that slicks it down. I hate hard, gelled feeling hair.
So here are my questions--first off, can I put a flat iron up really close, like almost up to the scalp to straighten, will it go up there?
And here is the other thing--I'm very worried about ruining my hair. I was told by many stylists that it is strong and will withstand a lot but I don't mean to turn it into straw. So I was looking at flat irons the other day and saw some for the 35 dollar price range while one Conair one was 100, it was ionic, which I understand reduces damage and tourmaline, which Idk what that does but it must be important because they made a big deal about it.
Tell me why I should pay 100 for one or why it's no better than the cheaper ones. I am willing to pay if there is a good reason for it.
I'm wondering just how damaging these things are, they can't be good for your hair. There are products that are heat activated that protect it but how well do they really work?
Give me the low down--I really need to do something and I'm at a loss.
I'm also considering the Brazilian keratin treatment...anyone have any experience or knowledge about that?
TIA.

moped replied: I know alot about flat irons.......always go with the ceramic slightly curved edge, the only one I will ever recommend is a CHI or possibly a paul brown, you are looking at $150-$200 but it is worth every penny.........they will do much less damage to yoru hair.....doing anything heat or chemical related will damage yor hair a bit.....you get what you pay for!

cameragirl21 replied: ok, I can go for the CHI or Paul Brown and like I said, am willing to pay if there's a reason but when you say less damage--how much damage do they really do? Is it noticeable? Do you use heat activated protectors first? And if so do they really help?
thanks for the info.

moped replied: I should also mention that you need to have a straightening product as well so it doesn't fry your hair and will gie it a smooth look - never flat iron with out!!!!

cameragirl21 replied: ok, so you are using something heat activated to protect it, it sounds like.
So bottom line--how damaging is it with the right flat iron and the right protective straightening product?
Does your hair look and/or feel noticeably dryer than it did before?
How long does it take?
I have thick hair that's halfway down my back....
Obviously, you have to dry your hair first so do you blowdry and then flat iron? That I imagine does more damage...ideally one should let it air dry and then flat iron if there is time for that.
I have an ionic blow dryer that doesn't really damage, I guess I could do that....

moped replied:
Well I am assuming you have almost virgin hair????

I have been bleaching the crap out of my hair for many many years, so I have chemical damage. If you have virgin hair then it would do very minimal damage..........IMO. I would wash, condition, use a styling prduct, blow dry it then a spray (Pureology) straightening product, then flat iron your hair. You will not see noticeable damage...........I bet you would love it!

It would take a few tries to get the hang of it, but once you figure it out, it would be qucik. You do have to go piece by piece, about and inch or two in width.......mine takes 5 minutes, but I have a short bob right now..........

edited to change the events sequence

cameragirl21 replied: yeah, other than the chemical straightening it's pretty much virgin. I did highlight and color some years ago but that hair is all cut off and this one has never seen color other than the kind God gave me.
So do you blow dry then, or you flat iron it wet...can you do that?
hmmmm, I'm really intrigued by this.
Will it straighten the shorter, frizzy flyaways way up by my face? Can you put it all the way to the top of your hair?
I've never worked with one of these....

moped replied:
Yes blow dry you hair first.......spend good money on product as well..........

Yes and yes, it will go right to the top, right to hte bottom.

Once you get the hang of it you will love it!!!!

There is a great pink CHI out for Breast cancer - it is on my list even though Tom says I don't need a new one yet.........

cameragirl21 replied: oh, oh, ok, I see you added the blow dry. God, what I wouldn't give for a flat iron that does both the drying and the straightening....

Crystalina replied: No more chemicals Jennifer! Geesh. Most damage is done by the chemicals.
Chemicals=BAD. Baaaaad Chemicals. NO.

There are flat iron sprays that you spray on before using the flat iron. They do wonders and make your hair feel so nice and soft. Soft=Gooooood.

First I would move far away from Florida. Florida=Baaaaad for curly hair. I have very natural curly hair and this is the reason my Florida visits are few and far between. That and Puerto Rico trips. I don't even bring my flat iron to those climates because I'll do my hair and the minute I walk out the door....FRIZZ. Way to ruin a trip.

And yes, you can get them as close to your scalp as you can handle it. I get mine right up there and never get burned.

moped replied:
They do exist but are NOT good for your hair at all.................

cameragirl21 replied: Cool, how much is that CHI and where can I find it?

moped replied:
NOT GOOD FOR YOUR HAIR......CHI does make one, but I do not recommend it

http://healthzone.shoptoit.ca/shop/product...Id_6198946.html

cameragirl21 replied: Oh, I so want one, I would love to have soft hair! And sorry, Crystal, but I am not planning to leave Florida, I am going to find something that fights the frizz if I have to invent it myself.
I did have my hair flat ironed once at a salon and it held when I walked outside and didn't do anything so maybe I'll continue to get lucky that way.
The first chemical straightening fought frizz even in the rain, literally, I could walk out into the rain and no frizz.
If the CHI does that and doesn't take too long to do and won't damage my hair then it's my hero.

cameragirl21 replied: no, Jen, I mean how much is the breast cancer CHI and where can I get it?
I am not asking about the blow dryer/flat iron combo, if it's bad for your hair I don't want it.

Crystalina replied:
I don't know what CHI is but heck, go to Wally World. $12 and they work great and last (at least 2 years so far). It heats up in just a few seconds and to do all my hair it only takes about 5-7 minutes and I'm done.

moped replied: http://hubpages.com/hub/Chi_Flat_Iron

All you need to know!

moped replied:
Well here it is about $175, but you would liekly pay a bit less.......google it they are all over!

moped replied: http://www.folica.com/CHI_Limited_Edi_d4878.html

Pink one!

cameragirl21 replied: awesome, thanks, Jen! But listed under features, they say traditional copper coil can cause more damage to the hair...do they mean this flat iron or as compared to flat irons that have the traditional copper coil?
I so want one now...Santa, baby, hurry down the chimney for me....

moped replied:
I am not sure about the coil............do you have a regular stylist that they could tell you? Or could they get one in cheaper for you????

cameragirl21 replied: I have to add, I just realized that for those of you who have babies or multiple kids...if you have time to do this than it can't take that long or be that cumbersome.
I am so getting one, that will be my holiday gift to myself.
Then maybe I'll post pics of the before and after.

cameragirl21 replied:
I can ask and they can get one cheaper for me? Wow, I will for sure ask. Of course she always tries to sell me her straightening services, can you blame her?

mckayleesmom replied: I just bought the Andi's one from Walmart..for 12 bucks and it works great.

I use the Infusium Frizzy hair repairology type shampoo and conditioner and I still need to find a better Flat iron spray.

I don't use it everyday though...So I don't really need a super expensive one. I don't blow dry my hair either...so that cuts down on the damage for me.