This is such a common question, particularly towards the end
of the summer because many naturals opt for straightening their tresses upon
fall’s arrival. So before we dive in, it
is necessary to touch on a few things…just a very general overview so as not to
bore anyone. Basically, what happens when
there is heat damage is there is a loss of elasticity, which is the hair’s
ability to stretch and return to its original state. This is typically the first sign that heat
damage has occurred. The more
elasticity, the stronger the hair. When the
hair is exposed to heat, it threatens the elasticity. If there is excessive heat, whether in one
styling session or multiple styling sessions over a period of time, there is a
risk of heat damage.
If after shampooing, the normal curl pattern is no longer
there, or in other words, there is no reversion, I would venture to say heat
damage has occurred. So, there’s good
news and bad news… let’s just get the bad news out of the way right off the
bat. Heat damage is not reversible…once it’s done, it’s done. Unfortunately the only way to rid the hair of
damage is to cut it. Now before you
panic, allow me to deliver the good news – you can cut it gradually, much like
a like a transitioner in the beginning of the “going natural” process. Allowing the hair to grow out and gradually
eliminating the damaged hair will afford you the option of retaining some
length. If you are not opposed to
cutting your mane, then cutting off the damage in its entirety and starting
fresh is an option. Whichever you
decide, in the meantime, continue with healthy hair practices such as, (but not
limited to):
1.
Step up your deep conditioning game – deep
condition once per week.
2.
Incorporate reconstructor treatments in your
regimen to help improve the elasticity.
3.
If you chose to continue using heat, do continue
using a heat protectant to act as a barrier.
4.
Manage the temperature on your heated instruments
carefully.
I hope this helps and would love to hear about your next
steps. Thanks for the question!
If you’ve experienced a loss in curl pattern as a result of
heat damage, please share your experience.
It may help out the next chica!
No comments:
Post a Comment