How To Flat Iron Relaxed Hair

Using direct heat frequently, leads to serious dryness in my hair. I've learned that when my hair is dry, it's most certainly susceptible to more breakage thus preventing me from retaining length. Ain't no body about that life! So last year, I challenged myself to put down the flat iron and learn to love my air dried hair. Air dried hair create the fluffiest buns, most voluminous bantu knots, and sexiest twist outs, but every 3 or 4 months, I get the itch for some straight hair. Here's how I straighten my relaxed hair without breakage:

1. Deep condition: Soft, smooth, sleek flat ironed hair starts with moisturized hair. A flat iron doesn't even come close to my hair unless it's been recently washed and properly deep conditioned. Flat ironing will zap water from you hair so your best bet is to amp up your hair's moisture before. My all time favorite rich conditioner is Matrix Biolage Ultra-Hydrating Balm . No matter what, this conditioner delivers on moisture every time.
2. Perfect Leave Ins: The best leave ins for straightening your hair are light weight, absorb easily, and still detangle like no body's business. I like to use a moisturizing leave-in + protein heat protectant serum when I flat iron. It's A 10! and Chi Silk Infusion are my go tos. Always make sure that your leave in's play well together. When I straightened my hair last week, I attempted to use Sedu Anti-Frizz Polishing Treatment with Moroccan Argan Oil as my serum. It was a miserable #fail. It just didn't play well with the It's A 10. I literally had to re-wash my hair and it wasn't fun. 
3. Cool Air Tension dry: Comb attachments are the epitome of high manipulation. Hot high heat blow drying will take your hair from moisturized to desert dry in a matter of minutes. Using this deadly combo frequently pre-hhj left my hair in a miserable state. Today, I when I blow dry, I use my blower on the cool setting and apply a little tension to my roots so that they dry stretched and smooth. If you don't have a blower with a cool setting, check out the Solia Professional Ceramic Ionic Hair Dryer. It offers amazeball drying time and no holding of the cool air button. All you have to do is set it and forget it!
4. Flat iron: Your flat iron of choice is just as important as your technique. I've trusted in my Solia flat iron for years but last time that I straightened my hair, I tested out Ladies & Gents Ferrum Professional Hair Styler. It has a creates straight hair without being a volume serial killer or drying out my hair. This flat iron has one ceramic plate with a satiny fabric in place of the other ceramic plate. Think: Less heat, more shine, and more moisture retention. It's been a week since I flat ironed and my hair is still super soft. I'm not sure if this iron had anything to do with it, but it totally didn't make it worse! I coupled the Ferrum iron with my Sedu Carbon Flat Iron Comb, to get super straight hair with only two passes (one just for my roots and another for the entire length) using this comb/chase technique shown by Ms. Kibbi:

 
Using your flat iron frequently on your relaxed hair, will definitely cause some heartache, but you don't have to give up on it completely! Like all things in life---moderation is key. I'm curious, what are your tips and tricks to sexy smooth flat ironed hair?

Besitos!
KLP