Silk Press Season is Upon Us
As the cooler months approach, many Black women look forward to silk press season, a time when natural hair can be straightened without the worry of humidity or frizz. A silk press is a heat-straightening technique that achieves sleek, shiny, and silky-smooth results while supporting the health of your natural curls. Here's everything you need to know about preparing, executing, and maintaining your silk press this season.
What is a Silk Press?
A silk press is a non-chemical process that uses a blow dryer and flat iron to straighten natural hair without permanently altering its curl pattern. Unlike a traditional press and curl, the silk press does not involve the use of pressing grease or oils, allowing for lightweight movement and a glossy finish.
Why Silk Press Season is Ideal for Natural Hair?
The cooler, drier air during fall and winter is perfect for silk presses. With less humidity in the air, there’s a reduced risk of reverting or frizz. Silk presses are also an excellent way to switch up your look while protecting your natural hair from the harsher elements of cold weather.
Prepping Your Hair for a Silk Press
The key to a successful silk press starts with proper preparation. Here are the steps to get your hair silk-press-ready:
- Clarify and Deep Clean: Start with a clean slate by washing your hair with a sulfate-free clarifying shampoo. This removes any product build-up, allowing for a sleek, smooth press.
- Deep Condition: Moisture is crucial to maintaining the health and integrity of your hair, especially before applying heat. Use a moisturizing deep conditioner to hydrate and strengthen your strands.
- Use Heat Protectant: Before using any heat tools, always apply a heat protectant to prevent heat damage. It acts as a barrier, locking in moisture and protecting the hair shaft.
Silk Press Technique
Once your hair is clean, deep-conditioned, and detangled, the silk press process can begin. Here's the step-by-step breakdown:
- Blow-Dry: Using a high-quality blow dryer with a comb attachment, dry the hair in sections, ensuring that it is completely dry before applying any heat.
- Flat Iron: For the silk press, use a high-quality ceramic or titanium flat iron. Take small sections of hair and pass the flat iron slowly through the strands for the best results.
- Finishing Touches: To achieve that final silky finish, you can lightly run a flat iron through the hair a second time with a wide-tooth comb to ensure ultimate smoothness.
Maintaining Your Silk Press
- Avoid Moisture: Try to avoid moisture, including rain and sweat, as it will cause your hair to revert to its natural texture.
- Wrap Your Hair: At night, wrap your hair in a silk or satin scarf to maintain the sleekness and prevent frizz or tangling.
- Touch-Ups: If needed, use a low heat setting on your flat iron for touch-ups. However, avoid excessive heat to prevent damage.
Recommended Products for Longer Lasting Silk Press
Moisture Lock Shampoo: A sulfate-free shampoo to prep your hair for the silk press by cleansing without stripping moisture.
Deep Conditioning Mask: Hydrate and strengthen your hair with this deep conditioning treatment to ensure maximum silkiness.
Heat Protectant Serum: Shield your hair from heat damage while ensuring a smooth, frizz-free finish.
Satin Hair Wrap: Protect your silk press while you sleep with our premium satin hair wrap to prevent frizz and retain smoothness.
Silk press season is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a sleek, straight look while keeping the health and integrity of your natural curls. By prepping your hair properly and using the right products, you can achieve a beautiful, long-lasting silk press that shows off the versatility of your natural hair. Explore our recommended products at Treasure Tresses by Tasha to enhance your silk press experience.