Ditching the Heat: How to Breakup with Your Hair Tools

Inside: Today, we’re talking about one of the most important, albeit challenging, steps on our natural hair journey – breaking up with our beloved heat-styling tools. It’s time to ditch the heat!

One of the most significant steps we can take on our natural hair journey is to break up with our heat-styling tools. Yes, you heard me right. It’s time to say adieu to your hair dryer, flat iron, and curling wand. Here’s why.

The Story of Heat and Curls

Heat-styling tools can be a curly girl’s worst enemy. Sure, they might give us that sleek look we crave every now and then, but at what cost?

The Heat Damage Realities

Heat damages our hair’s natural structure, resulting in loss of curl pattern, dryness, and ultimately breakage.

And believe me; it’s a slippery slope. The more you heat style, the more you’ll feel the need to do so as your natural curl pattern becomes more unmanageable, creating a vicious cycle.

Bidding Farewell to Heat

Trust me; I know it’s hard. As someone who was practically married to her hair straightener for years and a blowdryer on the high setting, I completely understand the security that comes with heat styling.

But believe me; your curls are worth the breakup.

How to Start the Breakup

You don’t have to go cold turkey – start by reducing the number of times you heat style in a week. Try one heat-free week per month, then increase from there. You’ll be surprised how quickly your curls start to bounce back.

Embracing the Air-Dry

So if we’re ditching the heat, what’s the alternative? Well, it’s simple: let Mother Nature do her thing!

The Magic of Air-Drying

Air-drying is by far the gentlest way to dry your curls. Simply let them be, and allow the air to dry them naturally. Not only does this method reduce damage, but it also enhances your natural curl pattern.

What About When I’m in a Rush?

Now, I understand that sometimes we’re in a hurry, and air-drying might not be an option.

In these cases, using a diffuser with your hair dryer can be a lifesaver. It distributes the heat more evenly, reducing the potential for damage. Remember always to set your hairdryer to the coolest setting possible.

What if My Curls Look Better with a Diffuser?

Although I’m encouraging you to air dry your hair, I actually don’t. Ha! But I did in the beginning in order to restore my hair from the damage I had created, and it worked.

Now I use a diffuser a few times a week, but my hair has never been healthier.

Why do I use a diffuser instead of air drying? Because my curls are curlier and it adds some much-needed volume.

We’ll go into all of the tips and tricks for diffusing your hair and how to get the best results in another post, so stay tuned!

So there you have it! Ditching the heat is an essential step in your natural hair journey.

Embrace the process, and remember to be patient with your curls. They’ve been through a lot, but with time, they will reward you with the most beautiful natural texture you could ask for.