As a naturalist, I enjoy the versatility of rocking my mane in its natural state, achieving a bomb twist-out, or transforming my curly hair with a silk press. The beauty of the silk press is that it can be done professionally or DIY from the comfort of your own home. If done correctly, it's great for temporarily changing twists and curls (open in new tab) without permanently damaging hair texture. I spoke with New York-based hairstylist, Ikeyia Powell (opens in new tab) for insight on achieving the healthy silk presses of your dreams at home.

"Typically, a silk press is done using a flat iron, giving the look of a permanent chemical straightening treatment without the damage of it," says Powell. It is a modern approach to the old-fashioned hot comb press that temporarily straightens textured, curly hair, leaving it bone straight and silky."

Using the right tools and technique is key to performing a silk press at home. Preparing natural hair before applying heat is important to achieve smooth, shiny, healthy-looking hair.

This is the most important step in achieving a silk press with fullness and movement. 'Before shampooing, begin by unraveling dry hair.' Says Powell, "Start by unraveling dry hair before shampooing."

Incorporate a deep conditioner and leave-in treatment into your wash day routine to nourish hair and keep the hair shaft strong and hydrated. Powell adds, "For best results, leave the deep conditioner in hair for 15-20 minutes under a plastic cap or hair steamer."

Silk presses use two types of heat: blow-drying and flat ironing. It is essential to coat the hair with a light heat protectant to protect the natural texture from damage. It is available in spray or serum form and is applied to wet hair.

Carefully blow-dry hair from the ends to the roots until hair is completely dry and stretched.

"The straighter you can straighten your hair during the blow-drying process, the less heat you will use when flat ironing. For maximum hair extension, use a dryer with a concentrated nozzle and a Denman brush (opens in new tab) or a dryer with a comb attachment," Powell advises.

"Apply a light serum to the hair for added smoothness and shine, but be careful not to over-oil," says Powell. The goal is a light, airy look with shine."

"Starting at the nape of the neck, create a 1-inch horizontal section and push hair from the roots to the ends. The smaller the section, the silkier the hair will be," says Powell.

It is important to note that the type of flat iron used will greatly affect the finished product. Powell advises, "Titanium flat irons offer maximum straightening ironing ability, but can burn your hair if not used properly."

"Titanium irons should never be set to more than 400 degrees for a single silk press."

"Silk presses can last from one to three weeks, depending on hair type, lifestyle, home care, and frizz history," says Powell, explaining that humidity is the number one factor that determines how long the look lasts. "If you sweat a lot or move around a lot, your silk presses may not last as long. Some people do silk presses in the cold season as opposed to the warm season, when humidity is higher and can cause frizz," she adds.

The best way to maintain style is to always curl your hair before bed, wear a silk hair wrap or scarf (open with a new tab), and wear a shower cap when bathing. Powell also recommends a 6- to 12-week interval between silk pressings to preserve length and minimize heat damage.