This is a long-standing, over debated topic. Yet, I'm going to give my opinion on it. I'd love your thoughts, so let's chop it up!
The Difference
Heat damage is a term used by women who have unintentionally lost their natural curl pattern due to heat use. Heat training is a term used by women who have intentionally lost their natural curl pattern due to heat use.
Tomato, to-mah-to. The end result is a permanent reduction/elimination to the natural curl pattern.
What is Natural?
Generally, the definition of natural is hair whose texture is chemically unaltered. But now women have been using other ways to permanently change the natural curl pattern. Do we have to include that as well?
Initially, I still deemed a heat trained individual natural, simply because they didn't have a relaxer. But at the end of the day, the curl pattern has changed permanently. So, I cannot call that natural anymore. The whole purpose of being natural, to me, was to be able to wear your natural curl pattern as you were born with it.
For the sake of labeling, I would just say that person is "heat straightened". To me, it's no different than differentiating someone as texlaxed or relaxed. It's just a label.
Relaxer vs Texturizing vs Heat Training/Damage
All produce the same result, a permanent alteration to the hair texture. They are simply different methods. As I mentioned, the difference between heat training and heat damage is purely perception. The end result is the same.
The big question is: What is healthy and what is not?
Self-proclaimed heat trained women catch a lot of flack. They are altering their hair pattern by controlled means. This is no different than having a relaxer. Just as one can have healthy relaxed hair, one can have healthy heat trained hair.
On the other hand, relaxers, when used improperly can wreak havok on hair. However, the big difference is that heat is not intended to permanently straighten the hair. Chemicals are meant to straighten permanently, heat is not. And this is why heat training is such a hot topic.
The Big Picture
Yes, heat can damage hair just as relaxers and texturizers can damage hair. The measurement of healthy vs damage should not be just be texture. Length retention, presence or absence of split ends, moisture, and strength level should also be indicative of the health of the hair. So I say if someone is able to manage great moisture and length retention, healthy ends, strong, heat straightened hair, more power to them.
Jm2c
(Just my 2 cents)
Friday, October 8, 2010
Heat Training Vs Heat Damage Natural Hair = JM2C
2 comments:
I think it's funny that people are acting like "heat damaged" hair is new. A lot of us grew up knowing people who pressed their hair. Actually, in the past, if you were natural your only option for styling at a salon was "pressing." I am a natural and I have decided to permanently straighten my hair. I will press it once a month and wear that for two weeks. Then I will deep condition and wear my hair "curlformed" for two weeks. I use a top of the line hair straightener- GHD. I don't regret it because the single strand knots made me cut off another inch last month. I'm tired of it. Healthy hair is NOT knotty hair. And yes- I use great products- etc, etc.
For me, natural is not wearing chemicals or fake hair. Everything else is fair game. Instead of creating more division, the natural hair community should applaud sistas who opt to stop using the chemicals. To me, dropping the chemicals is a major major feat!!!
You are correct when you say it is a hot topic for debate. But I think its more about wearing the hair straight that get to folks than rather it is damaging or not. Kinky/Coiled hair means something different for everyone.
I prefer my curls/kinks and I know the consequence will be knots, tangles, time, and I can still damage the ends and loss length if I'm not careful. As far as heat training-I don't think its something I'd do on purpose.
If I decided to flat iron my hair once I year it still would be never be as curly as before the heat each time. Hair is matter and subject to the laws of matter. I will happen overtime regardless. These ladies are just getting there faster.
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