5 Silk Press Tips To Avoid Damaging Curls

Elevate Your Silk Press Technique With These Tips

All curly girls want their hair to be flawlessly laid after a silk press, but they also want their curls to come back from it. Far too often textured hair clients go into salons for a quick curl break and leave with their hair permanently damaged.

Alterna Haircare Senior Creative Team Member Alyssia Dotson (@alyssiadstylist) educated us on how proper prep and the right products can help preserve natural texture while leaving hair silky straight. Get her tips below!

Check Out The Before & After Of One Of Alyssia’s Curly Clients!

1. A Silk Press Vs. A Blowout

Alyssia does not want you to confuse a silk press with a blowout. “Unlike a blowout where the round brush is the work horse for this service, the flat iron is the real star when performing a silk press in the salon.”

2. A Silk Press Is For Curly Textures

The silk press technique is for ANYONE with curly hair and the key to a smooth finish is all in the prep. “The process starts at the shampoo station with prepping the hair properly so that you will be able to work smarter not harder,” says Alyssia.

“[The Silk Press] is designed for a specific hair texture, not a race.”

3. Curls Need Hydration

What you do during the shampoo process is critical to the outcome of the silk press. After cleansing the hair, use a steam treatment to further add moisture and eliminate static. Static is a symptom of the hair needing H20. 

Next, seal in the hydration from the steamer with a great leave-in conditioner. Alyssia prefers to use Alterna Haircare Caviar Anti-Aging Restructuring Bond Repair Leave-In Heat Protection Spray and Caviar Anti-Aging Restructuring Bond Repair Leave-In Treatment Mousse to add moisture, eliminate static and provide heat protection. The Leave-In Treatment Mousse is also perfect for curly girls who have holes and aren’t ready for a big chop. It seals split ends and smooths hair down for easy styling.

Products Used

Haircare

Caviar Anti-Aging Restructuring Bond Repair Leave-In Heat Protection Spray

Alterna Haircare

Haircare

Caviar Anti-Aging Restructuring Bond Repair Leave-In Treatment Mousse

Alterna Haircare

Styling

Caviar Anti-Aging Perfect Iron Spray

Alterna Haircare

Oil

Caviar Anti-Aging Smoothing Anti-Frizz Dry Oil Mist

Alterna Haircare

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4. Use More Than One Blow Dryer

Every stylist has their favorite go-to blow dryer, but you might need to invest in something different for your curly clients. Some blow dryers dry the hair way too fast, leaving you with no time get the hair as straight as possible before flat ironing.  Alyssia recommends using a dryer with a high heat setting and a slow air distribution to better control air flow as you mold the hair. 

Your Products & Tools Are What Helps You Achieve Amazing Results!

5. Flat Ironing The Hair

Small sections, tight tension and direction are the three most important things to remember when flat ironing textured hair. Even after a thorough blowout, curly hair still has some texture to it. So it’s important to use a tail comb while flat ironing to ensure a smooth finish. Simply place the comb in front of a section and run the iron behind it while keeping tight tension to help guide the hair in the direction it should lay.

Alyssia also uses Alterna Haircare Caviar Anti-Aging Smoothing Anti-Frizz Dry Oil Mist for added moisture and to eliminate frizz while flat ironing. If her client comes back a few days later for curls, she’ll use Alterna Haircare Caviar Anti-Aging Perfect Iron Spray which is perfect for styling dry hair and has memory for long-lasting hair.

Pro Tip: Not all curls are created equal, so it’s important to switch your products to fit whatever curl type is in your chair. “If the hair is coarse and very dense, move towards creams, serums and oils,” says Alyssia. “If it isn’t as thick or coarse, go with balms, lotions and oil mists.⁣”

Want More Silk Press Education? Click Here To Get 3 Tips For Achieving Smooth Results Every Time!