Within the natural hair community, when we think of thermal reconditioning, also known as heat damage, we’re likely thinking of damage from flat ironing or blow drying incorrectly or from using at high temperatures. However, all heat is not created equal.

Lord knows the Internet streets have caused many members of the natural hair community to become absolutely terrified of using heat on their natural hair, in fear of heat damage. We’re sure you’ve seen a ton of different “heatless” methods floating around the interwebs in an attempt to avoid heat damage.

When many people think of heat damage, they’re most likely thinking of damage from flat ironing or blow drying at high temperatures. However, all heat is not created equal! No matter what tool that you use, it is only as good as its user.

You must have the knowledge to know how to properly use the correct heat source to achieve your desired result. In this blog post, we’re going to break down the differences between direct and indirect heat sources.