How to Press Your Hair With a Hot Comb
A tradition spanning centuries, particularly for African-American women, hot combs remain a popular styling tool for wavy or coarse hair. Although common, using a hot comb may have consequences for your hair. Researchers are still studying whether or not practices such as hot combing damage hair follicles and induce hair loss around the center of the head, known as hot comb alopecia. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Prepare for Straight Hair
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Shampoo, detangle and dry your hair. When shampooing, use a moisturizing product to reduce breakage. Detangling your hair will ease the hot comb through strands and reduce breakage. A thermal protectant is also recommended to help smooth hair and avoid heat damage to strands. Relaxed or color-treated hair should not be pressed because it's likely to break.
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Heat the comb over a stove if it's a classic hot comb and by plugging it in if it's an electric version. Leave the comb on the stove at medium to medium-low heat, making sure not to let it smoke. Test the comb on a paper towel prior to using it on your hair. If it burns the towel, the comb is too hot and will likely damage hair.
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Section off hair. It's best to run a hot comb through small sections of hair because it provides more control and a better finish. Start at the ends and work the hot comb towards the scalp. If you encounter knots, work them out with your fingers. When you are finished with a section, comb through the hair starting at the scalp, being careful not to burn your skin. Repeat the process until you can comb your hair without resistance. On the final stroke, use the back of the comb by twirling hair around the hot comb once so that the back of the comb presses along the strands. Repeat the process with all sections of hair.
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References
- Photo Credit toddler girl image by Trevor Goodwin from Fotolia.com
