Can you use a flat iron on a black persons hair, to substitute a perm?

Question

My hair got kinda damaged from a perm so I cut it a little and got micro braids. Now that I took the micro braids out my hair is healthy, but now nappy. I don't really wanna go back to having a perm, so I was wondering if a flat iron would do the job just as well as a perm would...oh and also if it does how often would I have to flat iron my hair?

Answer 1

Yes flat iron will work but go to to the shop and get it done once a week if you can.  Twice monthly will work too.  Repairing the hair from a perm and the micro braids(they pull) takes special care.  If you go to the shop, they can get it straight enough to last for as long as 2 weeks.  You doing it your self with a plug in flat iron will cause damage to the hair.

Answer 2

yeah either do a Japanese hair straightener or get a good flat iron chi is a good one.

Answer 3

It would work but not as well as a pressin comb or "hot comb". If you aint got a perm, get your hair hot combed. Tha will definately work.

Answer 4

U could get a flat iron chi.

Answer 5

you should use a really good brand flat iron

such as a sedu or solia.

or you can do a straight perm, they last from 8 months to 1 year

Answer 6

You have to flat iron almost everyday, or at least after everytime u wash it.

Answer 7

i grew out my perm and now im back to my natural curly hair. i blow it out alot and it still comes out nice but it doesnt stay straight as long without the perm and you do need a good quality flat iron  

Answer 8

Dominicans r the best at straightening hairs. Most dominicans r black, so they have kinky hair.

U probably can use a straight iron, it has to get pretty hot though. My sister has some nappy hair for being white, and if u brush it, u can't tell, so we have 2 straighten it every day with a very hot iron (hair of course).  

Answer 9

Go to a Dominican salon and get it blown out. My sister had it done and it worked better than a perm..there are a lot in the city if you live there..

Answer 10

I went through the exact same thing.  I cut my hair off and just started over.  I invested in a good blow dryer, hot comb and a good flat iron.  I do not regret it.  I will never go back to a relaxer.  It is not worth it, healthwise or financially.  

First, I blow it out, then if it is still a little kinky, I run through it really quickly with the hot comb and finish it with the flat iron.  I love it! It is much healthier, softer, and looks better than I have ever seen it.  

GO for it girl. You won't even miss that perm.

Answer 11

Ethnic hair is a little more of a challenge to control, but it depends on the individual.

What makes your hair curly or kinky is the shape of the opening where the hair comes out of the scalp....IE perfectly round opening=perfectly straight hair IE Asians. Kinda wavy opening=wavy hair. Perfectly flat opening=kinky hair.

The hair is made of keratin and has certain bonds inside the cortex that gives it strength. Hydrogen bonds (water) are weaker, and can be changed with 'setting' on curlers or with irons. Less likely to damage, but is a temporary change.

Sulfur bonds are altered with perms or relaxers...can be damaging if not done correctly.

To temporarily alter the hair, use water, curlers, or irons. Using a product like gel will help too. If your hair is long enough, you might try setting it each night with curlers that are too big for your hair to give it actual curl. Wet the hair to damp, apply a firm hold gel, and set the hair on some large curlers. In the morning, remove them and style as desired. As you know, setting the hair will only last until the hydrogen bonds (water) have been altered again....IE humidity, sweat, or water.

There are many good chemical products for relaxing hair too. Paul Mitchell has some. The cheapest way is to perm it, but can be damaging and not as effective as a relaxer (also is very messy). If you are not a cosmetologist, or do not know one, you may not be able to purchase 'professional' products. An alternative is to go to Sally Beauty Supply and ask someone there. The clerks are oftentimes cosmetologists. You should be able to find a lot of products there to help.

BUT....to answer your question, yes a flat iron can work, just be sure not to 'burn' your hair, and use oils as needed to recondition.

Good luck!  

Answer 12

Do Japanese hair straightening.

Type it in on google and you will see the before and after pix.