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I'm a 36 year old AA female. My mother never permitted me to have my hair chemically straightened, and I'm thankful for that today. Until I started school, she used to blow dry it, using the the comb attachment. Then, as I got older, she'd use the hot straightening comb every other Saturday morning. By the time I was 8 or 9, she gave up on my ducking and dodging, and sent me to the beauty parlor every 2 or 3 weeks for a 'press and curl'- those combs were a whole LOT hotter than what my mom used at home, but the 'do' lasted longer, too. (As long as I avoided rain, long showers, and wore a head scarf to bed).
Straightening one's hair with heat can be just as damaging as using chemicals if the comb is too hot, and the hair isn't properly prepared. If you live in a high humidity area, the natural curl or kink will cause the straightened hair to revert much more quickly.
To this day, I have still never had a perm/relaxer, though it has been tempting at times. I've worn braids for a number of years, and have recently started wearing wigs over my cornrows to just let my hair rest (which saves loads of time in the morning).
If I had a daughter, I'd probably use the blow drier as long as possible, and consider braids and puffs as the primary hairstyle. Of course, I'd likely break out the hot comb at some point, but I would follow my mom's advice and avoid the chemicals, if at all possible.
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