For those of you who flat iron your roots, I have three questions for you:
1. How do you minimize damage?
I don't use the highest heat setting. My flat iron has adjustable temp. and out of 1-30 I use 15 or 20.
2. How often do you flat iron your roots?
Whenever I rollerset, usually once a week.
3. Does it seem to affect your growth rate/progress?
Not at all! That's brand new hair that hasn't been processed by chemicals. I think you could use my natural hair to pull a stalled car out of a ditch!
BTW, I don't use direct heat on any other part of my hair. And I have a real slim flat iron, maybe 1.5-2 inches wide. My next one I purchase will probably be 1 inch wide. My hair is really flourishing this way and my rollersets are amazing now that I keep learning. I don't even own a blow dryer.