Is a Silk Press Worth It? My Honest Review

Quick Answer

Yes, I think a silk press was worth it for me. It gave me smooth, silky, straight hair, made styling easier, and allowed me to see my length more clearly. However, maintenance, humidity, and heat exposure are important factors to consider before booking one.

If you're considering a silk press and wondering whether it's worth the cost, maintenance, and potential heat exposure, you're not alone. As someone with type 4C natural hair, I wanted to see how a silk press would look, how long it would last, and whether it would fit into my lifestyle.

In this review, I'll share my experience, the process, the results, how long it lasted, and whether I would get a silk press again.

Seventy per cent of the time, my hair is in an afro, and when I can, it's in a protective style like the two-strand twist or cornrows. Then I found out about Silk Press and how many claimed that it minimises daily manipulation, reduces styling friction, offers a temporary change in silhouette and lasts for two weeks! I was excited about it and searched for a hair stylist on Fresha who could do it.

So, what is a silk press?

A silk press is a temporary way of straightening your natural hair with heat, leaving it soft, shiny, and silky without using chemicals like relaxers. It is "temporary" because, unlike relaxers that alter your natural hair curl pattern, a silk press doesn't. In fact, once your hair is exposed to moisture or you wash it, it reverts to its original pattern.

The Process

Since this was my first silk press, the hairstylist asked me a few questions to get a feel for my hair needs. She asked if I had done a silk press before, what style I wanted (straight, bouncy, or with some movement), my hair concerns, and my overall hair goals. During the consultation, she noticed I had done a less-than-perfect colour job, so we agreed to fix that as part of the session. So after she assessed my hair, we proceeded with the following:

Detangle and colour

My stylist began the process by gently and painlessly detangling my hair into sections and brushing it out. Next, she worked in sections and applied the colour to my hair. Then she covered it with a conditioning cap and left it for about 20 to 30 minutes. Once the colour was set, she rinsed it out with lukewarm water and followed up with a deep conditioning treatment, which lasted about fifteen to twenty minutes before rinsing it out again.

Blow dry and trim

After towel-drying my hair, she applied some moisturiser and heat protectants to help protect it from heat damage. Next, she sectioned my hair and began blow-drying with a round brush and blow dryer. However, the sections she had yet to do were covered with a conditioning cap.

Straightening the hair

Starting from my nape, she ran the flat iron from the root to the tip of my hair and continued working that way until she covered all sections. Once she was done, she trimmed the ends of my hair and then styled it into a classic centre part. The whole process lasted up to three hours.

How much does it cost?

Since it was my first visit with the stylist, I was charged £120. Existing clients can book maintenance appointments from £80, with additional savings available through the salon's maintenance plan. It's worth noting that prices may vary depending on the hair stylist, your location and if there are treatment add-ons involved.

How long does it last?

My first silk press experience lasted about five days before my hair started reverting. I noticed the reversal starting to take shape around my hairline, like hair around my nape and edges, then the tip of my hair. Before the end of the second week, my hair, which was silky, smooth and bone-straight that I couldn't use a pin or hair tie on, looked more blow-dried than silk-pressed. And when I washed it, it reverted fully. This happened because of humidity and, of course, exposure to moisture. Another factor was the fact that I didn't use a silk pillow or scarf.

Is it damaging?

In my experience, and so far, when done correctly, no. But I'd say the possibility of heat damage is high, especially if done incorrectly. Rather than experimenting at home, I'd recommend visiting an experienced professional who understands how to work safely with natural hair.

How often should I get one?

I don't do a silk press often, but so far I've realised I do it every four months or at least two to three times a year. And that in itself depends on the availability of my hairstylist or my location.

Is it worth it for natural hair?

Being my first silk press, I was impressed by the length of my hair, colour, shine, softness, and movement! I mean, I was able to flip my hair from side to side and run my fingers through my hair. Even though it only lasted about five days before my curls started to revert to their original pattern, I'd say it's worth it.

Your hair being done by a professional, especially one who knows their onions, is just half the step. The responsibility of maintaining it falls on you (and in my case, I didn't do so well the first and second time around 😂). It's not to scare you off, it just takes some getting used to.

Would I do it again? Emphatically yes! 😉 It's a better and healthier alternative to other chemical treatments like relaxers and offers the option of wearing your hair straight, even if it's just temporarily.

Final Verdict

Overall, I think a silk press was worth it for me. It was a great way to enjoy a sleek, straight style without committing to a chemical treatment. While maintenance and humidity are factors to consider, I would get a silk press again and would recommend it to anyone looking for a temporary straight style on natural hair.

If you're considering a silk press, I hope this review has given you a realistic idea of what to expect, from the salon experience and maintenance requirements to how long the results may actually last 😉