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The average silk press costs between $85-150, but the summer humidity can destroy those perfectly straight strands in minutes!
Picture this: You’ve just spent $125 on the perfect silk press, your hair is flowing like a shampoo commercial, and suddenly… the summer humidity hits. Within hours, your sleek strands start to wave and frizz at the edges, and before you know it, your whole head looks like you took a dip in the pool and ruffled it all up.
If that scenario sounds familiar, please keep in mind that you’re not alone. According to professional stylists, up to 80% of silk press clients struggle with maintenance during the summer months.
But here’s the good news: it’s not impossible to maintain a silk press during the summer! As someone who’s battled Miami summers with straight hair (and won), I can tell you that the right techniques make all the difference. Whether you’re dealing with beach days, workout sessions, or just the daily grind in humid weather, these six game-changing tips will help you protect your investment and keep those strands sleek.
In this guide, you’ll discover our top 6 proven strategies that go beyond the basic ‘use a silk pillowcase’ advice. We’ve taken our time to consult top hairstylists and gather real-world success stories to bring you solutions that actually work.
Ready to make your silk press last through even the most challenging summer days? Let’s dive in!
First Off, What’s The Problem With Silk Presses In The Summer?
To get to the bottom of why the summer heat usually wreaks havoc on silk presses, we’ll need to get scientific for a bit. Don’t worry, we’ll keep it simple!
Your perfectly straight silk press starts to frizz up in the summer because of one simple scientific phenomenon, which is the hydrogen bonds. The microscopic bonds in your hair tend to break down (temporarily) when exposed to the water molecules in humid air. This allows your natural texture to resurface, causing the frizzy effect that you see in real life.
Your hair frizzes up much faster in the summertime because this season is full of the elements that cause the hydrogen bonds in your hair to break. We have high humidity levels that reach up to 80% in most cities, coupled with increased sweating from higher temperatures, and finally, more frequent exposure to water-involving activities which is also a result of the overwhelming summer heat.
This explains why the silk press you got in the winter lasted two weeks, but in the summer, it’s literally a walk to the car and you’re back at square zero.
To make matters worse, people who do not understand the relationship between silk presses and humidity often make their situations harder by not adjusting their maintenance routine for summertime conditions. And that is a huge mistake in itself because adjustment is meant to be the first step toward better silk press maintenance. Just as you wouldn’t use the same skincare routine for summer and winter, your silk press needs the same seasonal consideration.
Now that you understand what you’re up against, let’s dive into our list of 6 practical yet comprehensive tips for protecting your silk press in the summer.
How To Maintain A Sleek, Frizz-free Silk Press During The Summer
1. Take Your Time With The Silk Press Routine
Let’s be honest – many of us understand that urge to just get in the shower, shampoo your hair, and towel-dry it. And when you’re out, you make as many passes as possible with your flat iron and call it a day.
But if we’re being real, that never works! And it’s simply because rushing your silk press routine is just like trying to bake a cake in half the time. It’s literally impossible. As a matter of fact, professional stylists have reported that the most long-lasting summer silk presses begin with a 60-90 minute prep process, and that’s because every minute counts.
Your clarifying shampoo helps to remove all product buildup, providing a smooth foundation for your heat protectant to penetrate more easily. Your 30 minutes of deep conditioning will infuse your hair with the moisture that’s needed while strengthening your strands to withstand the high heat to come. And finally, your heat protectant will seal your cuticles to lock in the moisture from your conditioning treatment, and at the same time, create an invisible shield between your hair and high temperatures.
Always remember: When you’re dealing with summer humidity, proper preparation isn’t just important, it’s everything! Those extra 30 minutes of prep can mean the difference between your silk press lasting 3 days versus 2 weeks.
2. Practice Strategic Nighttime Protection
Here’s a shocking truth: Up to 60% of silk press damage happens while you sleep! Those 8 hours in bed can either preserve your sleek strands or destroy them.
To help you preserve your sleek strands while you rest, here are the tools you need:
- Large silk/satin scarf
- Silk/satin bonnet
- 100% silk/satin pillowcase
- Hairbrush
- Large bobby pins
To wrap your hair up perfectly, start by parting your hair down the middle from front to back, then brush each side smoothly, following the curve of your head. Working in a circular motion, make sure the hair is flat against your head and make sure that each section overlaps lightly with the previous one. Secure the overlaps with bobby pins as you go, then cross two corners of your silk scarf and tie it at the front of your hair (not too tight). Secure with a satin bonnet for backup protection.
For added protection, consider adjusting your room temperature to 65-68°F or keep a dehumidifier on at night. If you ever wake up to slightly reverted edges, don’t panic. Simply follow our touch-up tips in number 4 below.
Remember: Your nighttime routine is like an insurance for your silk press investment. Those extra 10 minutes at night can save you hours of fixing and frustration in the morning.
3. Get Your Hands On The Right Products
If your goal is to maintain a silk press in the summer, you shouldn’t be focused on technique alone – also consider investing in the right maintenance products. Think of the following products as your silk press survival kit during the summer months.
- Anti-humidity serums: They create a moisture barrier on your strands to shield them from frizz and humidity.
- Anti-frizz sprays: These products control frizz and flyaways from forming on your strands while shielding your hair from unexpected humidity.
- Dry shampoos: They absorb excess oil and sweat that can make your roots revert while keeping your hair fresh and clean so you need a wash.
- Heat protectant serums: They shield your hair from excess heat in case of touch-ups, and they help maintain your silk press by acting as an additional barrier against humidity.
To correctly apply your products to your silk press, start with the anti-humidity serum for base protection, then go in with a lightweight oil for added shine, and finalize with your anti-frizz spray as a final barrier. Use dry shampoos only when needed, with a recommended maximum of 1-2 times per week.
Remember that less is more when it comes to maintenance products. Look for products that protect your hair without adding weight or moisture that could cause reversion. Start with small amounts and build up when necessary.
4. Don’t Be Afraid To Touch Up When Necessary
Touching up your silk press might seem a bit scary, and there are a lot of hair gurus online that advise against it too. Some say it could give you heat damage and others say it’s too much manipulation, but a lot of people have proven that touching up when necessary is completely fine. You just gotta do it the right way!
Before you consider a touch-up on your silk press, make sure that your hair actually needs one. Observe your strands closely – Has humidity or water affected any section of your hair? Are your edges starting to revert slowly? Did your hair wrap fall off at night? Or do you simply have an occasion you want to look stunning for?
If your hair doesn’t need a touch-up, keep scrolling to find other maintenance tips. However, if you’re part of the people who need one, sit back, and let’s talk about the right way to do it.
If you’re okay with using heat for your procedure, start by putting your flat iron on the lowest effective temperature. This is usually anywhere between 300-350°F. Apply a light layer of heat protectant to the focus areas and go in with only one pass of your flat iron. Repeat this process on all the affected areas of your hair and you’re good to go.
For those who prefer a heatless retouch, use a silk scarf and twist around the reverted areas. Make sure to stretch the hair as you twist. Wait 15-20 minutes for the hair to air dry fully, then go in with a tiny amount of your favorite anti-humidity serum before unwrapping.
Keep in mind that the goal isn’t to achieve bone-straight hair each time – it’s to maintain a polished look while protecting your hair’s health.
5. Protect Your Hair From Your Environment
Protecting your silk press from your environment shouldn’t be such a hard task. But let’s be real – In the summertime, you have way more than just humidity working against your silk press. From surprise pool invites to sweaty workout sessions and hundreds of other environmental factors can be your silk press’s biggest nemesis.
If this is a dilemma you’re afraid to face, don’t worry because we’ve got a game plan for every possible situation.
When Going Out In The Sun
- Consider using wide-brimmed hats or silk scarves to protect your hair from the sun.
- Use a UV-protecting serum on your hair to protect exposed strands on days when you aren’t feeling hats and scarves.
For Our Workout Warriors
- Wrap your hair up and away from your face and neck before you begin
- Position yourself near a fan or AC when working out
- After your session, allow your sweat to dry off completely before unwrapping your hair
- Use a dry shampoo on your roots when necessary
Going To The Pool Or Beach
- Apply an anti-humidity serum on your strands after detangling
- Double-protect your strands with a silicone swim cap and a regular shower cap on top
- Don’t forget your sun exposure tips, for those of you who won’t be going near the water
Want To Take A Bath/Shower
- Secure your hair (especially the edges) with a silk scarf then layer with a shower cap.
- Put a bonnet on top and add a sweatband to secure (if necessary)
- Try to avoid steam as much as possible and opt for cooler showers when you can
- Use shower filters to reduce humidity
Sometimes, you’ll have to choose between maintaining your silk press and enjoying life. It’s all part of the summertime silk press struggle. Just remember to choose what matters most to you at the time, and be prepared for any consequences either way.
6. Embrace Different Hairstyles
Rocking a sleek silk press 24/7 seems fun but there’s a lot of factors that’ll make it nearly impossible. But the good news is – embracing a variety of hairstyles can actually help extend the life of your silk press investment.
Some examples of protective hairstyles for your silk press are buns, braids, flat twists, cornrows, bantu knots, etc. These styles are perfect for hot, humid summer days and they elevate your looks while keeping your hair locked in and protected.
The key is to find hairstyles that work with your hair, not against it. When the weather doesn’t want to cooperate, protective styles will be your silk press’s best friend. Just be sure to keep the hair gently secured and apply the right products as discussed above.
P.S. – Check out this article for more silk press hairstyles!
Bonus Maintenance Tips From Silk Press Experts
Here’s how our favorite hairstylists and influencers maintain a smooth, frizz-free silk press during the hot summer months:
1. From Shelltalkshair – Content creator
Whenever I go to work out after getting a silk press, I put my hair up and away from my neck to prevent sweat from touching it. Next, I get my rechargeable neck fan, put it on medium, and hang it around my neck. This has been a game-changer! It comes with 4 different settings and I guarantee you won’t sweat.
2. From Stylesbymichal – Content creator
I maintain a smooth, frizz-free silk press in the summer by:
- Wrapping my hair in a silk scarf every night
- Adding a frizz-control serum on my ends every night
- Using a claw clip whenever I prefer to wear my hair down
- Using a silk scrunchie whenever I want to put my hair up
- And finally, I blow-dry my hair on low heat whenever it gets poofy
3. From BeauRaven – Hairstylist
One question I get asked a lot is, “How do you work out and maintain a silk press on natural hair?”
Whether you’re going to the pool or sauna, if you’re at home in your jacuzzi, or you’re a runner – like myself, you’ll need a frizz-control hairspray, a silk scarf, and a blow-dryer (if you can’t wait to air dry). Twist your silk-pressed hair tightly around the scarf, then wrap it up in a flat twist. Apply your hairspray, and either blow-dry it or let it air dry. Do this after your encounter with humidity then let your hair down.
Conclusion
Getting a silk press in the summer can seem like a challenging and high-maintenance task. But with discipline and dedication, you can achieve a flawless silk press that lasts all summer and enjoy your money’s worth. The key is finding a maintenance routine that works for your lifestyle and sticking to it.
Just remember that it’s not that deep – it doesn’t have to be! Follow the tips discussed in this article, stay consistent with your maintenance routine, and you’ll be on your way to silky smooth city in no time!
Pro Tip: Save this guide for quick reference so you can come back to it whenever you find yourself wondering “How do I maintain a silk press during summer?”
