Straightening hair with chi flat iron but reverts almost immediately

Hi. I have very kinky soft afro hair (I'm of Nigerian descent) and a few weeks ago I took my hair out of braids after a year and a half. Rather than resort to relaxing I thought I'd straighten my hair with a flat iron as I have had my hair pressed by a hairdresser previously and it lasts me about 2 weeks.

Anyway after washing and deep conditioning my hair I then put Infusium 23 on it and Keracare Silk and Seal before blowdrying it. I then use Ic Fantasia's heat protectant serum and spray before straightening my hair with my Chi turbo flat iron.

It looks great after I've finished but the next day it already has reverted quite a lot and then the day after it's practically afro again!! I don't know what I'm doing wrong because when it's pressed at the hairdressers it stays for two weeks. My hairdresser does use a marcel iron so I'm wondering if my chi isn't hot enough (I use a setting of 350F) but it seems to be. It's been 3 weeks now and I'm getting quite desperate as my hair is too difficult for me to roller set straight and my only other option is to relax my hair. I do like relaxing my hair but it tends to take out all the body from my hair which is why I thought I would have a go at straightening it myself because I've seen many pictures of black women with great looking flat-ironed hair!

Please help me.

Many thanks for your time.

Cynthia

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Nina's Response:

Hi Cynthia,

I completely understand the frustration that you're experiencing. I have heard this so many times from naturals wanting to wear their hair straight but just not getting the right results that last. There really is no magic formula because it really just takes time, patience, and trial and error to figure out what method of straightening will work right for your hair. A couple of things...

1) The more your hair gets used to being straight, the less likely it will revert.

2) Make sure to keep your hair dry. If you're prone to sweating at night or during the day, then your hair won't last as long.

3) Make sure your hair is healthy. If it's not healthy, it will more than likely revert b/c it will be porous thus allowing in moisture.

4) Pay attention to what your stylist does when having your hair done. Look at the order of products that she uses and how much. Watch her technique. Continue using your Chi iron as it's much safer than the marcel irons. I believe the Chi iron gets hot enough for you.

5) Remember to wrap your hair at night. This will help it keep its straightness as well as possibly get rid of any reversion that has already occurred.

Good luck!