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Personal Care and Style
Hair Care
Hair Texture
Straight Hair
Straightening Hair
How to Silk Press Natural Hair Download Article Co-authored by Courtney Foster
Last Updated: March 10, 2025 References
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Washing and Moisturizing Your Hair
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Straightening Your Hair
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Taking Care of Your Hairdo
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This article was co-authored by Courtney Foster. Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based out of New York City. Courtney runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and in East/West Magazine. She received her Cosmetology License from the State of New York after training at the Empire Beauty School - Manhattan. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 217,341 times.
A silk press is a straightening technique that is simply gorgeous without any of the damaging chemicals. Deep conditioning makes the process easier, and choosing a good quality flat iron means you can do small sections in one pass, minimizing heat damage. As this style is done through heat instead of chemicals, maintain it by keeping it away from moisture and wrapping it up at night.
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Part 1 Part 1 of 3:
Washing and Moisturizing Your Hair
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1 Shampoo your hair twice with clarifying shampoo, then once with moisturizing shampoo. Before beginning, you need to remove all the dirt and oil from your hair. Lather in a clarifying shampoo and rinse it out, and then repeat the process to ensure your hair is thoroughly clean. Then, shampoo your hair with a moisturizing shampoo to hydrate it and keep it from drying out your hair.
2 Condition your hair. Using a wash-out conditioner is important because it helps add moisture back to your hair. Lather the conditioner in well, and then rinse until the water runs clear.[1]XResearch source
Choose a conditioner made specifically for hair pressing. These conditioners have added silk to smooth out your hair.[2]XResearch source
Steam the conditioner in if you can, meaning you leave the conditioner in for about 20 minutes while applying steam. At home, use the heat coming up from a hot shower to help steam it. If you don't want to stand in the shower, wrap your hair with a towel for 20 minutes, which helps the conditioner set in.
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3 Add a leave-in conditioner. A leave-in conditioner adds moisture to your hair, and it also helps protect against heat damage from the flat press. Separate your hair into sections, and spray it in before blow drying each area.[3]XResearch source Alternatively, use argan oil instead of a leave-in conditioner.
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Straightening Your Hair
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1 Blow out your hair. While blow drying each section, comb or brush it out at the same time. Get your hair as straight as possible before you start using the flatiron, so the flatiron doesn't have to do as much work. Doing so prevents heat damage.[4]X Expert Source Courtney FosterProfessional Hair StylistExpert Interview
If your blow dryer has a pick attachment, feel free to use it.
2 Add a small amount of thermal protectant cream. If you're particularly worried about heat damage, a protectant cream can help. Use a small amount (about a pea size) of the cream. Rub into your hands first, and then apply it to your hair. It helps to comb or brush it in afterwards.[5]X Expert Source Courtney FosterProfessional Hair StylistExpert Interview
3 Divide your hair into large sections. Clip back most of your hair so it doesn't get in the way while you're using the flatiron. Try clipping up both sides, as well as the top and the back. Only work with 1 section at a time.[6]XResearch source
4 Pull out a 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) layer. On 1 side of the head, pull out the very bottom part of your hair. Use a comb or clip to make a line across the bottom so you get an even layer. Create a very thin layer of hair, so you only need to run the flatiron over it once.[7]XResearch source
5 Run it through the flat iron. Gather your hair together. Close the flat iron over your hair as close to the head as possible. Gently pull the iron down over your hair at a medium pace. Don't yank it through, but don't go so slow that you burn your hair. Run the iron all the way to the tips. Let that section hang down.[8]XResearch source
Set your flat iron to 300–400 °F (149–204 °C).
Give your hair 1 pass only to avoid heat damage. Place a rat tail comb beneath the flat iron as you run it down the length of the hair to get it super straight with 1 pass.
6 Move up the section. As you finish each layer, move up a layer in the section. Iron each layer, and then let it join the other hair at the bottom. Keep going up until you've done all the hair in that section.[9]XResearch source
7 Flatiron the rest of your hair. Moving section by section, use the flat iron over all of the hair Don't forget to go layer by layer, so you're only working on a small amount of hair at once.[10]XResearch source
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Taking Care of Your Hairdo
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1 Wrap it in a silk scarf at night. Start by brushing out your hair. Then, wrap a scarf around your hair in a circular motion until it’s no longer hanging down. A paddle brush is helpful for this technique. Tie your hair up in a scarf before you go to sleep each night.
2 Skip the shampoo. To maintain this hairdo, you must skip washing your hair. As soon as you wash your hair, it will go back to its natural state. Go a week or 2 without washing, but don't go much longer than that.
Keep in mind that very steamy showers also make your hair revert back to normal. If you need to, wear your scarf covered by a shower cap into the shower. Keep the scarf on to make it easier to wrap up in the shower cap. Plus, it will absorb some of the moisture that would have reached your hair otherwise.
3 Opt for minimal curling. Bouncy curls all throughout your hair is a lot of fun, but often that hairstyle will only last a day or 2. If you want your hairdo to last longer, try just curling the very ends and leaving the rest of your hair straight.
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Question What do you use for a silk press? Laura Martin Licensed Cosmetologist Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University. Laura Martin Licensed Cosmetologist Expert Answer You will need a hairdryer, brush, straightening iron, comb, and clips. You'll also need shampoo and deep conditioner as well as a thermal protectant. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 13
Question How long does a silk press last for? Laura Martin Licensed Cosmetologist Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University. Laura Martin Licensed Cosmetologist Expert Answer You can usually wear one for 7-10 days. If the weather is very humid, it may not last this long. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 18
Question What is a silk wrap for your hair? Laura Martin Licensed Cosmetologist Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University. Laura Martin Licensed Cosmetologist Expert Answer A silk wrap is a method for styling relaxed hair. The hair is wrapped around the head, covered with plastic wrap, and processed under a hood dryer. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 18 Helpful 12
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You can also try a silk wrap on natural or relaxed hair to create similar results. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 0
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Co-authored by: Courtney Foster Professional Hair Stylist This article was co-authored by Courtney Foster. Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based out of New York City. Courtney runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and in East/West Magazine. She received her Cosmetology License from the State of New York after training at the Empire Beauty School - Manhattan. This article has been viewed 217,341 times. 46 votes - 92% Co-authors: 17Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 217,341 Categories: Featured Articles | Straightening HairArticle SummaryX
To silk press natural hair, you'll need a flat iron and some leave-in conditioner. First, shampoo your hair a few times to remove any dirt and oil. Then, condition your hair. When you get out of the shower, apply a leave-in conditioner to protect your hair from the heat of your flat iron. Blow-dry your hair, combing or brushing it out as you go into large sections. When your hair is fully dry, take a 1/4 inch thick section from the bottom layer and slowly run your flat iron over it, starting as close to your scalp as possible. Ideally, you'll only want to move your flat iron over each section once to avoid heat damage. After you straighten the first section, continue straightening 1/4-inch sections until you've gone over all of your hair. To learn how to take care of your silk pressed hair, keep reading!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Courtney Foster Professional Hair Stylist Co-authors: 17Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 217,34192% of readers found this article helpful. 46 votes - 92% Click a star to add your vote
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Co-authored by: Courtney Foster Professional Hair Stylist This article was co-authored by Courtney Foster. Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based out of New York City. Courtney runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and in East/West Magazine. She received her Cosmetology License from the State of New York after training at the Empire Beauty School - Manhattan. This article has been viewed 217,341 times. 46 votes - 92% Co-authors: 17 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 217,341 Categories: Featured Articles | Straightening Hair Article SummaryX
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1 Shampoo your hair twice with clarifying shampoo, then once with moisturizing shampoo. Before beginning, you need to remove all the dirt and oil from your hair. Lather in a clarifying shampoo and rinse it out, and then repeat the process to ensure your hair is thoroughly clean. Then, shampoo your hair with a moisturizing shampoo to hydrate it and keep it from drying out your hair. 
2 Condition your hair. Using a wash-out conditioner is important because it helps add moisture back to your hair. Lather the conditioner in well, and then rinse until the water runs clear.[1] 
3 Add a leave-in conditioner. A leave-in conditioner adds moisture to your hair, and it also helps protect against heat damage from the flat press. Separate your hair into sections, and spray it in before blow drying each area.[3] Alternatively, use argan oil instead of a leave-in conditioner. Advertisement 
1 Blow out your hair. While blow drying each section, comb or brush it out at the same time. Get your hair as straight as possible before you start using the flatiron, so the flatiron doesn't have to do as much work. Doing so prevents heat damage.[4] 
2 Add a small amount of thermal protectant cream. If you're particularly worried about heat damage, a protectant cream can help. Use a small amount (about a pea size) of the cream. Rub into your hands first, and then apply it to your hair. It helps to comb or brush it in afterwards.[5] 
3 Divide your hair into large sections. Clip back most of your hair so it doesn't get in the way while you're using the flatiron. Try clipping up both sides, as well as the top and the back. Only work with 1 section at a time.[6] 
4 Pull out a 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) layer. On 1 side of the head, pull out the very bottom part of your hair. Use a comb or clip to make a line across the bottom so you get an even layer. Create a very thin layer of hair, so you only need to run the flatiron over it once.[7] 
5 Run it through the flat iron. Gather your hair together. Close the flat iron over your hair as close to the head as possible. Gently pull the iron down over your hair at a medium pace. Don't yank it through, but don't go so slow that you burn your hair. Run the iron all the way to the tips. Let that section hang down.[8] 
6 Move up the section. As you finish each layer, move up a layer in the section. Iron each layer, and then let it join the other hair at the bottom. Keep going up until you've done all the hair in that section.[9] 
7 Flatiron the rest of your hair. Moving section by section, use the flat iron over all of the hair Don't forget to go layer by layer, so you're only working on a small amount of hair at once.[10] Advertisement 
1 Wrap it in a silk scarf at night. Start by brushing out your hair. Then, wrap a scarf around your hair in a circular motion until it’s no longer hanging down. A paddle brush is helpful for this technique. Tie your hair up in a scarf before you go to sleep each night. 
2 Skip the shampoo. To maintain this hairdo, you must skip washing your hair. As soon as you wash your hair, it will go back to its natural state. Go a week or 2 without washing, but don't go much longer than that. 
3 Opt for minimal curling. Bouncy curls all throughout your hair is a lot of fun, but often that hairstyle will only last a day or 2. If you want your hairdo to last longer, try just curling the very ends and leaving the rest of your hair straight. Advertisement 
Laura Martin Licensed Cosmetologist Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University. 