Today, hairdressers offer us many different hair treatments and hairstyles that are able to transform our entire appearance.
What is important in all these treatments is their duration and preservation. Let’s say you wanted to do a silk press – how long does silk press last, and how to treat your hair during this?
If you have recently done or are planning to do a silk press, but you do not know everything, keep reading this article, and we will explain some of the most basic information related to this particular treatment.
A Week Or Two?
The most important piece of information regarding hair treatment is how long it can last and if we can do anything to prolong it.
This time, we are talking about a specific treatment – silk press. This will make your hair look soft and silky for a certain period, but the question is – how long exactly?
A well-done silk press is expected to last for about two weeks maximum.
As soon as your hair comes into touch with water or humidity, it will start to go back to normal.
Can I Make It Last Longer
Since this is a hair treatment and there is not that much we can do about it after we walk out of the salon, there are a couple of ways you can protect the silk press and make it last for a bit longer.
So, if you want your hair keep its silky look for a couple of more days, do the following:
- Keep the split ends at bay – it is very important that you take care of your ends and trim them regularly.
- Go for flat curls – of course, curls will make your hair look wonderful, but if you are willing for this to last a little longer, you should opt for smooth curls because they are much easier to maintain once they start to loosen up.
- Keep your products to a minimum – after you do engage in this treatment, you should keep using your hair products to a bare minimum. The more you put in your hair, the more you will damage it, and the curls will lose their shape.
- Avoid contact with any moisture – the moment your hair comes into contact with moisture (water, humidity), your curls will start to lose their shape, and your hair might end up looking frizzy and puffy. You don’t want this, so our advice is to avoid going out after a rainy day, for example.
- Wrap your hair – another thing you can do to make this last longer is to use a silk wrap. Keeping your hair wrapped up will protect it from any harmful outside factors, so you are doing yourself a huge favor.
Silk Press Vs. Dominican Blowout
If you are frequent in hair salons or just like to know a little bit more about different hairstyles, then you might have heard about the debate between the silk press and the Dominican blowout.
These two, although side to side with their results, still differ.
But how?
A silk press is a hair straightening process that involves permanently changing your curly hair with the help of a flattening iron.
On the other hand, a Dominican blowout is a process that only uses special round brushes or a Denman brush – used for shorter curls.
However, there is one important difference between these two treatments – their longevity.
While silk press can last for two weeks, a Dominican blowout’s full effect will last only for a couple of days.
Can I Silk Press My Natural Hair?
For those who have been taking care of their own hair for a long time – good news! You can silk press your own hair in the comfort of your own home, and we are here to show you how.
You can carry out this process in three stages: washing and moisturizing, straightening and taking care of the hairdo.
Let’s begin.
Stage 1 – Washing And Moisturizing Your Hair
The first thing you should do is shampoo your hair twice with clarifying shampoo and after that once with a moisturizing shampoo. You should rinse your hair carefully to make sure that all of the shampoos are washed off.
After you have done that, it’s time to condition your hair. It would help if you choose a conditioner specially made for silk press. It would be good to steam in the conditioner for 20 minutes. Wrap your hair with a towel afterward and leave it also for 20 minutes to let the conditioner set in.
Lastly, add a leave-in conditioner to moisturize and protect your hair from any possible damage.
Stage 2 – Straightening Your Hair
After you are all done washing, it’s time to dry your hair correctly. During the drying, make sure that you straighten your hair as much as possible before using the iron.
You should add some protectant spray after your hair is completely dry. This will help it comb afterward.
Now comes the most important part – dividing your hair into four large sections and using clippings to make it stay separated.
Take out small layers and go through them with a flattening iron set at 300–400 °F. Wait a couple of seconds between sections, and opt for short and gentle curls with your iron. This will save your hair from unnecessary damage.
Do the same with the rest of your hair – if your hand gets tired, wait a couple of minutes in between those four sections and make sure to check your iron from time to time. It mustn’t get overheated.
Stage 3 – Taking Care Of The Hairdo
Now that you are done with straightening your hair, and you have put the iron to the side and turned it off – it’s time to take care of that hairdo.
You are advised to wrap it in a silk scarf overnight. Silk is the material that is least likely to damage your hair. Another thing is that you should skip the shampoo and steamy showers.
The less curling, the better.
Pros and Cons
Before choosing a particular hairstyle, we often stop and think about the results we will end up with and whether they carry more advantages or disadvantages.
If the silk press is the choice you’re going with, you should be familiar with both pros and cons.
Read and decide for yourself.
The Pros Of Having A Silk Press
- The serums protect your hair. During the process, serums that are used are perfect for protecting your hair from the heat of an iron.
- A good choice for damaged hair. Unlike many other hairstyles, which require a lot of work and time, this is simple and healthy. It doesn’t need a lot of products.
- This changes your look. Getting silk means that you are doing something new to your hair and making it look fresh.
- This is relatively low maintenance. After you are finished with this treatment, you won’t be expected to use some specific products and take care of them. You should just simply leave your hair alone – you are helping it by not overwhelming it with too many products.
The Cons Of Having A Silk Press
- This might be difficult to achieve on a home level. For those who are not so experienced but still want to try out this on their own, don’t be surprised if it doesn’t work out the way you wanted after the first try. Be confident in your skills and try again.
- Depending on how often you decide to do this, your hair will become more prone to split ends. This is why you should go to the hairdresser and trim them regularly.
How Long Does Silk Press Last – Conclusion
The most important piece of information regarding hair treatment is how long it can last and if we can do anything to prolong it. So, are there ways in which you can make your silk press last longer?
Yes, a couple of them. Since a regular silk press treatment lasts for about two weeks, there are some things you can do and make it last longer. For example, it is very important that you take care of your ends and trim them regularly. After you do engage in this treatment, you should keep using your hair products to a bare minimum. The more you put in your hair, the more you will damage it, and the curls will lose their shape.
A silk press is a hair straightening process that involves permanently changing your curly hair with the help of a flattening iron. On the other hand, a Dominican blowout is a process that only uses special round brushes.
If you have been taking care of your hair for a long time, then you can surely silk press your natural hair at home. You can carry out this process in three stages: washing and moisturizing, straightening and taking care of the hairdo.
The good thing is that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of this treatment. For example, during the process, serums that are used are perfect for protecting your hair from the heat of an iron.
So, if you get the chance to do this – don’t hesitate!