Natural Hair Question: "How Often Can You Get a Blowout or Silk Press?"

 How often you can get your hair blown out or pressed is a continuing debate I see. Some ladies "need" their hair blown out or pressed on a weekly or biweekly basis. Others wait for a month or get it done every 3 months while others may only visit a salon once a year for maybe a birthday celebration.

But, I know you're wondering what's the right answer...

Well, there isn't necessarily a right answer. Every head of hair is different, every technique is different, products used are different & the upkeep is different.I will say, maybe once a week is possibly excessive, but again I stress that every technique & heat setting situation is different.

I personally, (as a licensed cosmetologist who's been doing blowouts & silk press styles since about 2014 or so when the transition to women wearing their natural hair over relaxers really started) am an advocate for ladies wearing their natural hair pressed.

 I had a choice as a beauty professional; to refuse to jump on board with the rapidly changing tide of hair or to adapt to this new wave & learn the best techniques to keep my customers happy & their hair healthy & thriving.

I'm so glad I made the switch! I'm not a trendy stylist & believe natural hair, as a lot of you know is a lot of work, but oh so rewarding in my opinion. I love how customers & clients are so happy (especially newbies) with how light, bouncy, healthy-looking & beautiful their typically uncared for hair looks in a silk press.

I know your next question is, 'What's the difference between a silk press & a blowout?''

Well, it depends on whom you ask. Every stylist has their own technique & terminology.

The short answer is that, a silk press or blowout is a technique of transforming the hair from curly (or wavy) to straight. 

Some people feel that a silk press is different from a blowout because a silk press requires a hot comb while others feel a flatiron is just as good.

Dominican salons rollerset the hair then blow the roots or roundbrush the hair & some add a flatiron to the hair after the blowdryer.

Again, there is no wrong or right way as long as you're protecting the hair from the heat & not being harsh with the curls. Please, no fine tooth combs, only quality wide-tooth combs or quality brushed when detangling wet hair. You can request a customized hair care kit from D'va Styles via our contact form at www.dvastyles.com. You're welcome. 

Anyway, back to the press or blowout debate...

I, personally, like a flatiron that gets very hot & is sturdy not these "at-home touch-up" type flatirons, but something that really can flatten out thicker hair textures. Using a flatiron over a pressing comb allows me to control the heat temperature better. 

My clients are able to come in more often (say every 2 weeks) to get a press, because I'm able to decrease the heat setting over time as their hair becomes more trained. 

What does "trained' mean? Well, it means the hair is able to stay pressed for an extended amount of time. Trained means the hair has memory. If you're always wearing twist styles or your natural curls or even protective styles & maybe only get your hair pressed once every year or 2 then chances are the hair could revert back to curly or begin puffing up prematurely. 

Now, this doesn't happen in every instance. Thankfully this has not been my experience or shall I say the experience of my customers in most cases if cared for properly.

I believe this is attributed to a number of factors, bu
t plainly put... products, technique & time put in to achieving the best presd I can deliever to each individual guest.

I'm amazed that some stylists can execute a fantastic press in an hour or hour in a half no matter the texture or amount of hair the guest has. Well, let me say, I'm not apart of that ministry sadly. My hydrating press service takes anywhere from 1.5-2.5 hours, but generally 2 hours. Now, of course most newbies or infrequent guests will need a trim (cut) so that's more time.

The moral of the story is, do what's best for your hair & lifestyle. That includes your wallet as hair care is an investment. I believe more people could afford to get their hair done regularly if they prioritized their hair. If we can spend money on wigs, braids & other 'protective styles' then we most certainly need to pay to gain knowledge about our hair & to help facilitate healthy hair in our every day lives.

I would love to know what your thoughts on this subject are. 

Chime in below. (positive vibes only...we can also agree to disagree)

~Tash

D'va Styles Beauty Bar, LLC & D'va Styles 2

Charlotte, NC based

If you are a beauty professional looking for a chair or suite to rent for a day or week or simply want to work in a D'va Styles salon affiliate in your area? Go to www.dvastyles.com to apply.

We have several suites & chairs for your convenience. Professionalism & Politeness stressed. We look forward to hearing from you. 

Live outside of Charlotte, NC? No problem. Let us know what city you're in so we can match you with a stylist in your area.

Blessings, T