Arguably the most important product involved in a silk press is heat protectant; without it, you leave your hair even more vulnerable to the ever-so-dreaded issue of heat damage. As Dr. Lenzy explains, heat damage causes breaks in the hydrogen (water) bonds of your hair follicles. This can result in visible breakage, frizz, weakened hair strands, and if you have curls, loss of curl pattern.
Cosmetic chemist Ginger King previously explained to Allure that the best heat protectants contain ingredients like meadowfoam seed oil and VP/DMAPA acrylates copolymer, both of which “form a shield” to prevent that loss of water and moisture in the hair which can lead to heat damage. More familiar hair-care ingredients like aloe and argan oil can also help seal the hair cuticle and protect against direct heat from hot tools.
The Mizani Heat Screen Heat Protectant Spray includes a VP copolymer, an ingredient that prevents heat damage according to King. The TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer is a personal favorite of Redway’s that she uses often when doing heat styling on clients.
How to Take Care of Your Silk Press at Home
Once you leave the salon with silky hair you’ll most likely want to flaunt your new hair all over the internet — as you should. And since silk presses last about a month (depending on your hair type), you’ll have plenty of time to do so. The one thing experts warn against after getting a silk press is reapplying heat. “My biggest don’t is don’t over iron your hair after you have received the service,” says Holdsworth, hairstylist & founder of NTRL by Sabs. “If your hair starts to curl up a lot it’s probably time to get a fresh silk press. The goal is to avoid damage.” Dr. Lenzy offers the same advice adding that reapplying heat to hair that hasn’t been freshly washed can be especially damaging because “the hair will have oils and dirt in it…[if you’re] applying heat to that you’re just kind of baking those oils and dirt or product into the hair.”
If you find you need to touch up just a small section of your silk press, Hardges recommends using a blow-dry styling brush on low heat to re-style any areas that are reverting. “A flat iron or curling can be used in a last ditch effort,” she explains. “But be sure to use a heat protectant and a low heat setting.”