What about heat damage?
Heat from irons and other tools affect the hydrogen bonds we talked about earlier and as we mentioned, when you alter the hydrogen bonds it isn’t permanent. The tricky thing about heat is, you can not only break hydrogen bonds in the hair but if the heat is high enough, you can break disulfide bonds as well making your hair permanently straight much like a relaxer would. Yet this kind of damage but in most circles not acceptable.
The thing is, damage is damage, no matter how you slice it; color, heat, hygral fatigue or relaxers can all alter the structure of the strand and so there is no reason why a woman should feel bullied because she has heat damage and has chosen to live with it.
4 Reasons you should not criticize someone with heat damage
1. It’s not your hair
If she likes it, then you need to tip your hat to her and keep it moving it. It’s that simple – we are way too caught up in what other women are doing with their hair, especially when we do not fully understand that there is really nothing to turn up about.
2. Heat damage is not a deal breaker for her
For some, single strand knots, and split ends are a game changer but a few straight hairs are not. There is no way to really tell someone what they should or should not accept from their own hair.
3. Damage is damage
If you have color, we can say technically your hair is damaged too, but you wouldn’t want anyone to demand that you cut your hair, especially if it isn’t breaking or split. If you get it wet too often and it weakens because of hygral fatigue, it is damaged too, but again if it doesn’t bother you, it shouldn’t bother anyone else.
4. Some women like straight hair
If you routinely flat iron* your hair then more than likely you will get some heat damage. If you know you flat iron* weekly then you should expect that your hair will eventually conform (heat training). Is that bad? nope, it’s all relative love.
The point is, we all have various things that we like to do with our hair, heat styling or training might be one of them. What is most important is that you are still making progress on your own hair goals and on your own terms.
Now, don’t read this and then go around telling everyone that BHI said you can go out and get you some heat damage! You have to be sensible and know when to pull the plug on that flat iron* and blow dryer*, just like you would a relaxer.
If your hair is thinning and falling out, obviously you are doing more damage than justice. You have to know that for yourself because I just spent an entire post telling people not to say anything to you about your heat damaged hair!
Charlene Jeffers says
I agree. Women throw that term around like crazy. Also split ends is another one. You watch some hair gurus on YouTube and those terms are always in the comment section without fail.
Gigi Elisabetta says
Well why should you be “worried” about anyone’s hair? Worry about your own strands!
Tracy McCoy says
Great article 🙂
Steen How says
Ha! Lol Worried tho? But hey! We should be building each other up. Once our sister with the damaged hair asks for advice, that when we can help by ONLY her hair goals. No shoving “what we think we know” down each other’s throats! Great article!!
RikoyatG says
“the truth is there is nothing to condone or disapprove of when it isn’t my hair that’s on trial.” Preach! Great perspective and great article.
Mahogany Tolbert says
Im not keeping anything damaged period.
Tabatha says
I have bad split ends myself that I’m cutting this weekend, but lately I just see people doggin people just to dog them and it just has to stop. Sometimes we are so in the game of competing that we just need to chill and drinking what’s around us learn to appreciate the other girl across the street for what she’s rock in even if it’s not our preference. Point well made author and I support it. Damage happens you either fix it or you live with it.
Malakah Angellia Gladston says
………………………………………..0_o
Sheshe says
It is wonderful that we all have the right to wear our hair however we see fit and nobody should be th subject of bullying. Yet, when someone post a picture of themself and then ASKS others for THEIR OPINION, then that’s what they should be mature enough to ACCEPT it as such. That’s life.
Derek Clement says
Hair grows no matter what even when you’ve passed on.
Bettina says
I think people should stop calling it damage… its not damage unless the person’s hair is falling out. Its heat training.. or straightening… My hair was pressed until I was 21 years old. I had hair down my back. My hair didn’t have breakage or growth issues until I had it relaxed… So for a blow out and press to be considered damage and relaxing not to be is confusing to me.