The once per month flat ironing works for natural hair. Relaxed hair should not use heat. For relaxed hair, roller wrap or only flat iron natural new growth.

My sister and I have been natural all our lives, and while I love to wear my finer hair big and curly, my sister finds her gorgeously thick way too high maintenance and straightens is every 3-4 weeks. Her hair is mid back length and very healthy. Heat works well for her.

I think the short answer is heat responsibly. Do what works for you. I have both natural and relaxed clients with HEALTHY hair who use heat when they want to. I am natural myself, and while I don’t use heat regularly, it’s more of style choice rather than fear of using it. All things in moderation:)

I agree with the post below suggesting that the discussion concerning heat should be framed as… “heat responsibility”. I’ve been natural all my life, but have endeavored to use heat responsibility in my length retention journey over the past 22 months. As a result of the care and caution used I am nearly full waist length with full healthy ends. I use direct heat at high temperatures (430-450 degrees Fahrenheit) 2x per month and only 2x per month. When preparing to use direct heat I deep condition overnight because my hair has responded well to this relatively compared to just deep conditioning under the dryer. I also use heat protectant with humectant properties to further maintain moisture, and do a hydrolyzed protein treatment every 6 weeks to keep the protein in ballance. I pleased at my results and that my natural curl pattern has remained undamaged. I understand that the way in which I use heat may not prove to be a responsible choice for the next person. I have learned what works for me in my length retention journey.