How to Maintain a Silk Press on Natural Hair: Top 7 Tips

Love getting a silk press, but you want it to last longer? Here are our top 7 tips on how to maintain a silk press on natural hair. 

Getting a silk press treatment on your natural hair is an effective and exciting way to get it shiny, silky and soft without using harsh chemicals or permanently modifying the pattern of your curls. It creates a perfectly sleek style that can last for weeks if maintained properly. In other words, no more bad hair days!

The key to prolonging the life of your silk press is learning how to maintain it. What are some of the tips and tricks that you can implement to ensure that it lasts as much as possible? In this article, we will show you how to maintain a silk press on natural hair in a few easy and effective steps.

So, without further ado - let’s go:

What is a silk press?

Before we jump into the tips and tricks, let’s take a brief look at what a silk press actually is:

A silk press is a hair styling technique primarily used on natural, textured hair to achieve a straight and smooth look. It involves the use of a flat iron, a blow dryer and a comb to temporarily straighten the hair by applying heat and tension.

Fun fact: the term "silk press" originated from the desired outcome of the style, which is to make the hair appear as smooth and silky as possible.

Is the silk press the same as a flat iron?

If you are wondering whether there is a difference between a silk press and a flat iron - you are right, there is! While the terms can sometimes be used interchangeably, they are not exactly the same as one is a technique and the other is a thermal hair styling tool.

A silk press is not the same as a flat iron. The silk press is a hair styling technique that involves the use of a flat iron, but also needs other tools and products such as a comb and a blow dryer. The flat iron, on another hand, is a heat styling tool that can be used for making a silk press, but also for a variety of other hairstyles.

How long does a silk press last?

On average, a silk press on natural hair can last anywhere from one to two weeks. However, the longevity of this hairstyle may vary, and it can be influenced by individual factors such as hair type, texture, porosity, and the level of maintenance.

And now that we have clarified the main questions, let’s get to the fun part - learning how to maintain a silk press on natural hair:

How to maintain a silk press on natural hair: 7 tips and tricks

So, you’ve gotten your gorgeous silk press, and you are loving every minute of it - here’s how you can enjoy it for longer:

1. Minimize exposure to water and humidity

If you are a fan of trying new hairstyles, especially ones in which heat is applied, you probably already know that moisture and humidity can cause the hair to revert back to its natural form, shape or texture.

Hair has the tendency to revert back to its natural shape and texture in humid conditions due to the disruption of hydrogen bonds, absorption of water causing swelling and frizz, as well as changes in the protein structure of the hair.

The hydrogen bonds that maintain the straightened shape are broken, and the hair absorbs water, increasing its diameter and altering its appearance.

In the case of the silk press, it will revert the straight hairstyle to the curly or kinky texture of your natural hair, undoing the effect of the technique.

To minimize exposure to water, make sure to cover your hair when showering, ideally with a shower cap or a scarf. In addition, avoid doing intense exercise that may lead to excessive sweating.

2. Use dry shampoo to remove excess oil

Next on our list of tips on how to maintain a silk press on natural hair is to use dry shampoo or oil-absorbing products to combat any excess grease or oil that may develop between washes.

This will help to refresh the hair without adding a lot of moisture - which, as we just saw, will revert the effect of the silk press.

The NuMe Dirty to Flirty dry shampoo is a great option for absorbing excess oil from your hair. Made from natural ingredients, it smooths out frizz and fly-aways without introducing moisture so you can enjoy your silk press for longer.

3. Sleep on a silk or a satin scarf

If you want to learn how to maintain a silk press on natural hair, here is an easy tip for you - sleep on a silk…pillowcase! A satin one would work just as well, but cotton ones are not ideal if you want to protect your hair while sleeping.

These types of fabrics will preserve your silk press because of these three benefits:

• Reduced friction - because silk has a smooth and slippery surface compared to other types of fabrics like cotton or polyester, it tends to reduce the friction between the pillowcase and your hair. Friction can lead to excessive tangling, knotting and breakage, which can all be detrimental for the longevity of your silk press.
• Preservation of moisture - silk and satin are both breathable fabrics that allow for better retention of the hair’s natural moisture - on the opposite, cottons absorb it which may lead to dryness, frizz, and potential damage caused by excessive moisture loss during sleep.
• Hairstyle preservation - if you want to preserve any kind of hairstyle, and not only your silk press, sleeping on a silk or a satin pillowcase can help immensely. The slippery surface of silk minimizes the disruption on the hairstyle and helps the hair maintain its smooth and sleek appearance from the silk press.

4. Avoid products that will weigh down your hair

Considering the wide range of hair products offered on the market right now, it is no surprise why we can get confused or unsure about the best ones for our hair. However, if you want to learn how to maintain a silk press on natural hair, you will have to choose them carefully.

Using heavy hair products, or an excessive amount of hair products before your silk press, can cause excessive buildup and weigh down the hair.

Heavy oils or greases can make it appear greasy, which is not exactly the shine we are looking for with a silk press - and it will also reduce the longevity of the hairstyle.

Instead, opt for lightweight hair products that will work well with your hairstyle without compromising its longevity, such as the NuMe Watch me Werk Thermal Heat Protectant which will protect your hair from damage before you apply heat for your silk press.

5. Reduce the use of heat styling tools

Reducing the use of heat styling tools while you are still enjoying your silk press can help to increase the duration of your beautiful hairstyle. That’s because heat styling tools tend to strip the hair of its natural moisture, making it more prone to dryness and frizz.

By reducing heat styling, you can help retain the hair's natural moisture, which is essential for maintaining the sleek and smooth look of a silk press.

If you want to use a heat styling tool that doesn’t strip the hair of its natural moisture, opt for the NuMe Megastar Flat Iron.

This award-winning flat iron is made with tourmaline plates, which emit up to 6 times more negative ions than other types of plates - helping to counteract the positive ones and locking in moisture when thermal hair styling.

6. Do small touch-ups on your silk press if necessary

You can maintain a silk press on natural hair and enjoy your hairstyle for longer by doing occasional touch-ups using a flat iron with tourmaline plates like the NuMe Megastar Flat Iron.

If you notice that a certain area of your hair has lost its straightness or developed minor kinks, don’t be afraid to take out your flat iron and fix that up - just remember to always use a lightweight heat protectant to ensure that your hair is protected from high temperatures.

7. Protect the ends

Protecting the ends is essential if you want to learn how to maintain a silk press on natural hair for longer. They are the oldest and the most fragile part of your hair, which makes them more prone to dryness, split ends and breakage.

When maintaining a silk press, making sure that they are protected can significantly minimize damage and breakage, preserving the overall health and length of your hair.

In addition, keep in mind that frayed or damaged ends can disrupt the smooth and sleek appearance of the silk press, reducing its effect. By protecting the ends, you can help maintain the straightened look and prevent frizz or flyaways that can occur when the ends are damaged.

To protect your ends, you can use a lightweight hair serum like Sleeky in a Bottle, which seals your hair from the environmental particles that can harm the cuticle.

FAQ

Can I do a silk press at home?

Yes, you can absolutely do a silk press at home! You are going to need a flat iron, preferably one with tourmaline plates as they emit more negative ions, a comb, a blow dryer and a hair brush. Make sure that you are using a thermal heat protectant before applying the technique to protect your hair from damage.

Click here to learn more about how to do a silk press at home.

Should I oil my silk press?

Oiling a silk press is not typically recommended, as it can compromise the sleek and smooth appearance of the style. Oils have a tendency to weigh down the hair and can cause it to appear greasy or lose its straightened look. However, if you feel that your hair is too dry, you can use a lightweight oil to restore its shine.