Why Silk Press is Bad for Natural Hair: What You Need to Know (2024)

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Silk press is a popular hair straightening technique for natural textured Afro hair. It leaves the hair with a glossy finish and can be an alternative to chemical treatments like relaxers and keratin that often leave the hair dry, brittle, and prone to breakage.

However, there are some downsides to silk pressing your natural locks. It can cause heat damage if done too frequently, as well as product build-up which cannot be washed out until the hairstyle is over.

In this article, we’ll discuss why heavy products should be avoided before getting a silk press, how exposure to humid weather conditions can affect its longevity, as well as other factors such as haircuts beforehand.

What is a Silk Press and How Does It Work?

You may have heard of a silk press, a popular choice for achieving smooth and straightened hair. However, the application process can be tricky if done incorrectly. To get it right, you need to start with good preparation.

This includes washing your hair with a smoothing conditioner and applying a protective serum before drying or using heat. Humidity protection is key, as excess moisture will cause your style to revert back quickly.

Therefore, invest in quality products that protect against humidity-caused damage.

Heat damage is also an issue. Therefore, using low-temperature heat tools like steam irons is preferred over flat ironing for most natural textures, including Afro hair, which tends to be naturally dry already.

It’s important to avoid product build-up as well. Too much product can leave your strands feeling greasy or heavy without being able to wash them out due to its long-lasting effects on the hairstyle itself.

Without proper care, your curls could end up damaged after multiple treatments from keratin treatments or relaxers that lead to excessive breakage along with split ends when not properly taken care of beforehand during haircuts.

The Pros and Cons of Silk Press on Natural Textured Afro Hair

Though it can provide a polished, glossy look to your hair, silk pressing natural textured Afro hair comes with an array of risks that you cannot ignore.

Heat protection is essential before using straightening irons or steam irons, as the exposure to flat iron heat can be damaging. Heavy products should also be avoided prior to getting a silk press, and split ends need to be trimmed beforehand for best results.

The harsh chemicals used in relaxers and keratin treatments are not necessary when opting for this chemical-free way of straightening natural hair. However, frequent use may cause heat damage over time, which leads towards breakage since the contrast between curly roots and straightened ends makes them more vulnerable at their point of intersection.

Additionally, moisture from humid weather conditions or sweat will quickly make it revert back to its original state, making regular touch-ups inevitable if you want long-lasting smoothness. This leaves your scalp prone to product build-up, which cannot easily be washed away while having a style like this one.

Avoiding these potential issues requires careful preparation, but done correctly, a silk press could help give you beautiful sleek locks without exposing yourself too much to harsh chemicals – something worth considering!

How Does Silk Press Affect Hair Loss and Breakage?

Despite the glossy finish and polished look, a silk press can still cause hair loss and breakage due to heavy product buildup, heat damage from flat irons or steamers, and the contrast in textures between curly roots and straight ends.

Excessive heat exposure during a silk press weakens hair follicles, leading to thinning locks. Split ends that are not cut prior to getting a silk press will be more prone to breakage with this chemical-free straightening technique.

When dealing with natural textured afro hair, it is important to take into consideration its dryness. Product buildup over time can lead to straggly split ends that cannot be easily washed out while maintaining your hairstyle for two weeks or until wetting of the strands occurs again.

Therefore, if you are considering getting a silk press, make sure you get regular haircuts beforehand so there are no straggly split ends remaining on your head, which could have been taken away anyways before starting any styling process! Heat protectant products should also always be used before exposing your mane’s natural curl pattern anytime near flatirons/steamers since they provide an extra layer of protection against potential damaging factors caused by high temperatures when trying to achieve sleek locks within seconds!

Why Heavy Hair Care Products Should Be Avoided Before Getting a Silk Press

It’s important to avoid heavy hair care products before getting a silk press, as they can cause split ends which will lead to breakage and potentially leave your hair looking dry and brittle. Heat protection is essential for this type of treatment, as well as using steam irons instead of flat irons to reduce the chances of heat damage.

The use of strong chemicals or product build-up on natural afro hair should also be avoided due to its tendency towards dryness. These problematic substances can make it appear unnaturally greasy when exposed for prolonged periods.

Silk press is an excellent way to show off naturally curly locks with a glossy finish, but proper preparation and avoiding certain substances beforehand is crucial in order to prevent any potential problems associated with this technique such as excessive product build-up or premature breakage caused by high temperatures from straightening tools.

Why Getting a Haircut Beforehand is Recommended

Before attempting a silk press, it’s advisable to get a haircut to prevent split ends and ensure your hair maintains its health. This creates an optimal environment for the straightening process. A trim helps protect the cuticles of curly hair types from potential heat damage caused by flat or steam irons.

Getting rid of split ends also reduces product build-up that accumulates over time when using heavy styling products during and after silk pressing.

Humidity has an effect on natural curly hair styles like this one, as moisture can cause them to revert back quickly if not properly sealed with product.

Regular haircuts are essential before beginning any kind of hairstyling routine, especially ones involving high temperatures, so that you achieve maximum protection while still looking fabulous!

Why Exposure to Humid Weather Conditions and Moisture Can Cause Silk Press to Revert

Now that you understand why it’s important to get a haircut before getting a silk press, let’s discuss the other reasons why exposure to humid weather conditions and moisture can cause your silk press to revert.

Firstly, humidity levels in the air will affect how long your hair stays straightened. When there are high levels of humidity present, this causes the hair cuticles on each strand of hair to lift up due to its reaction with water molecules in the air – making them more prone to shrinkage or wave formation.

Secondly, even with heat protectant products applied beforehand and steam irons used rather than flatirons during the styling process, too much heat damage or product buildup over time can lead to split ends as well as breakage where curly roots meet silky straight ends when washed out completely after a two-week duration period has passed by.

Lastly but not least, sudden changes from dryness (due to lack of hydration) combined with excessive wetness could result in rapid loss of elasticity which then leads onto weakening strands leading onto permanent damage such as thinning areas/bald spots along the scalp area if left untreated accordingly without proper maintenance regime set-up afterwards following suit immediately post wash day routine.

So yes! Keeping an eye on moisture content surrounding the environment would be an essential part and parcel towards preventing any sort of unfortunate mishaps throughout the course of the ‘Silk Press Journey’ ladies!

How to Avoid Disappointment, Hair Damage, and Hair Loss When Getting a Silk Press

To ensure the best results from your silk press, it’s important to prepare for the appointment with a trim and use heat protectant products before straightening. Regular haircuts are essential in order to remove split ends that can compromise the longevity of your style.

Heat protection is also necessary as exposure to high temperatures can cause irreversible damage. Consider using steam irons instead of flat irons, as this will reduce any potential hair reversion caused by humidity or moisture in the air.

Hard water minerals should be addressed prior to getting a silk press; they may cause excess product build-up and greasy hair when combined with regular shampoos over time.

Lastly, too much heat styling on natural curly hair can lead to breakage and even permanent loss – so limit yourself when possible! With proper preparation, you’ll have beautiful glossy strands without worrying about disappointment or risking unnecessary damage down the line!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)