How To Do a Great Silk Press at Home Without Damaging Your Curls

Q: I have been natural for 3 years and I would love to straighten my hair for the first time. Can I do it myself? If so, what should I use and what steps should I take to ensure that I will not have heat damage?

A: You can absolutely straighten your hair at home when you have natural hair! Straightening natural hair is known as silk pressing. The key for an amazing silk press is to use ultra-moisturizing, lightweight products and taking your time. Things you will need:
-Clarifying Shampoo (any brand)
-Hydrating Shampoo (any brand)
-Design Essentials Conditioner or Paul Mitchell Forever Blonde Conditioner
-It's A 10 Miracle Leave-In Conditioner or Design Essentials Leave-In Conditioning Mist
-Biosilk Serum, Paul Mitchell Forever Blonde Repair Treatment, or Paul Mitchell Super Skinny
-Design Essentials Edge Slicker (or any other edge control)
-Design Essentials Finishing Spray (or any other brand)
-tools: rat tail comb, blowdryer, flatiron, sectioning clips, detangling comb, round brush or Denman brush, plastic cap

STEP 1: SHAMPOO
Shampoo your hair with a clarifying shampoo in order to clear away any build-up. You want the hair to almost feel squeaky clean. After one round of clarifying shampoo, use a hydrating shampoo to add moisture back into the hair.

STEP 2: CONDITION
Towel dry your hair and apply a moisturizing conditioner. You can sit under a dryer, steamer or blast it with your blowdryer to allow the conditioner to soak deeply into the hair. I recommend applying coconut oil to your edges/scalp if you have issues with dry scalp while the conditioner sits in your hair. After applying heat, allow your hair to cool down for a few minutes before rinsing with cool/cold water. Rinse the conditioner out very thoroughly!

STEP 3: THE SECRET
This next step is KEY! You must stretch your hair before and during blowdrying. A proper blowdry ensures that your silk press will last and that you will not need to use the flat iron as much when pressing (thus preventing heat damage). Apply It's A 10 Miracle Leave-In spray to your damp hair and apply a heat protecting serum to your ends. Section your hair into 4 sections and then divide each section in half, creating 8 sections total. Detangle each section and put the section into a 2-strand twist.

You can let the twists air dry or you may blast them with your blowdryer (or sit under a hooded dryer! your choice). After your twists are about 75% dry take them down one at a time and blowdry the section using your Denman brush or large round brush.

STEP 4: PRESS IT OUT!
After your hair is nicely blown dry you may trim your ends if needed. Have your flatiron preheated to about 375 degrees. The trick is to only do 1-2 passes on each section of hair with the iron. Create 4 sections with your hair and begin wherever your are comfortable. Using the end of your rattail comb slice out a small segment from the first section. Tap your root area with the flatiron twice then flatiron all the down the section to your ends. If your are really skilled, put your comb in the hair in front of the flatiron as you slide down the hair shaft for a really smooooth press.

You may curl the hair as you press it, or press it all and curl it when you are done pressing. For tighter curls, I curl the hair as I go. For a straighter style, I will curl it in large sections after the press is complete. Some people choose to wrap the hair around the head and put a plastic cap or silk scarf on for maybe 15 minutes. This allows the hair to cool down and get used to it's new straightened state. This will help your press last a bit longer. Once you are ready to hit the town with your new look, use a finishing spray to seal everything in place.

Don't be scared of heat naturalists! Just be sure to protect those strands, take your time and enjoy the length you've earned! =)

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