Hello!

I am brand new to this whole world!   This is so awesome!
I have had medium length (bra length?) layered hair my whole life, and I would like to start really taking care of it, and see how long I can grow it.  My hair is pretty healthy, and shiny.  It's medium coarseness and fairly thick.

I was reading the ultimage guide to grow long hair, and the first thing I did was toss all my plastic brushes and pony-tailers with metal bindings.
I also started braiding my hair at night, because in Phoenix, the satin bed pillow is a little much!    

My question is: How do I get rid of the marks left in my hair from the braids?  I have sworn to stop using my flat iron, and the waves in my hair don't "match" (?) the waves from the braids.

I would greatly appreciate any advice!

I'll have to work on the idea of the silk pillowcase!  Thank you!   I'll also work on a picture!   But I don't want to take a picture if what I've done to my hair is something that I shouldn't have!  

My hair is that "kinda wavy".  It'll mostly curl if I scrunch and gel and spray stuff in it - is that not a good idea any more?

When I straightened it, I used a hair dryer and a flat iron.  The last time I did it, I let it air-dry, and then barely drug the flat iron over it - it wasn't clamped on, but it was pretty hot.

Or I would use a 1" iron with spray on curl-heat-set and hair spray after.

I have never left the house with hair that just air dried.  

I'll have to see what I can do with it.  Being layered, the sticks are working for me just yet.  I would mostly pull the sides up into Baby ponytails, or it would just hang.

Thank you again for the advice!!