A silk press is basically straightening your natural 4c hair without a relaxer. Silk presses apply less heat giving the hair more movement. A silk press uses a blow-dryer and hair straightener to straighten your hair without the use of a relaxer.
PROCESS OF DOING A SILK PRESS
CLEAN HAIR: Your silk press needs to be done on clean hair. Shampoo your hair, to ensure that your hair strands are clean.
USE LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER
Your clean hair needs moisture at this point. So you put your Leave-In Conditioner into your hair. This way your hair gets the moisture required to endure the heat of the straightener.
APPLY YOUR HEAT PROTECTANT
As you will be using heat to straighten your hair, it’s best to use a heat protectant. The protectant will protect your hair from damage from the heat styling tools.
DETANGLE AND BLOW-DRY HAIR
Detangle in sections, blow-dry in sections, and then you’ll straighten in sections. This ensures there is no pain when you’re getting your silk press.
BLOW DRY YOUR HAIR
Put the concentrator nozzle your blow dryer and dry your hair with a brush, use it from the roots to the ends. Repeat the process on each section of your hair until it is fully dry.
SILK PRESS YOUR HAIR
It’s time to create some silk press magic! Starting as close to the root as possible, slowly flat iron your hair all the way to the ends to make each pass count. Repeat this on one-inch sections of hair, passing over each one with your straightener until you have silky-soft hair. Remember, too many passes on the same section of hair can cause damage, so take things slow for desired results.
LASTLY
Once your hair is fully straightened, use your hairspray to seal it all in.
PRESERVING YOUR SILK PRESS
Here are a few tips to help keep your silk press shiny and luscious for longer.
PROTECT YOUR HAIR AT NIGHT
Divide your sections, then take the end of one of the sections, roll it around your fingers and use a hairpin to pin it. This will keep your hair bouncy and curly. Keep your hair covered in satin bonnet every night.
NO MORE HEAT
Stay away from heat. Any more heat on your hair would dry it out leaving you with stiff strands which is unacceptable.
STAY AWAY WATER
Make sure water doesn’t touch your silk press because water can make your hair go back to its natural state.
LET GO OF YOUR STYLING PRODUCTS FOR NOW
Give your styling products a break for as long as you have your silk press. Putting more styling products on your silk press will make your hair look heavy, so no need for it.
THE BEST PRODUCTS NEED FOR A SILK PRESS
A cleansing shampoo, conditioner, and lightweight leave-in conditioner, and any straightening tool are all your need for a shiny and bouncy silk press.
Heat isn’t the enemy of your natural 4c hair. The issue is how you use heat on natural hair. So take the necessary precautions to protect your hair
Streeetslayers 