Guest Author - Grace D. Dooley

Pressing your hair is a process used to smooth and straighten ethnic hair especially very kinky, curly and knotted hair. This process uses direct heat to the hair and the fear of burning the hair or even the skin is a big thing. After many times of doing this your hair will begin to weaken and give way to breakage and damage. Not much different from chemically straightening the hair. There's not too many different ways to press hair so the instructions are very limited as to how to do it.

Have you ever noticed how the relaxer in your hair gets nice and warm. It's cold when applied but once done it is warmed up quite a bit. This is the chemical process using body heat to help the process along. Relaxers are risky because it can burn and make hair fall out. Pressing hair can do the same just on a different chemistry level.

No, matter the one you choose they all come with warnings etc. For now we are looking at how to properly press hair. Let's say you have everything you already need to do this. Make sure the hair is nice and dry. Wetness of the hair will cause steam and steam hurts the scalp. It is suggested you should use some type of oil or conditioner on your hair specifically designed for this process. They help protect from too much damage. Also the softer, more conditioned the hair can be before straightening the better the press will take. Note: Do not oil the scalp before using a hot comb of any sort. Oil the scalp after the hair is pressed. Be careful not to burn yourself in the process.

Pressing Ethnic Hair

1. Begin with clean hair and dry scalp

2. Apply some type of oil or conditioner designed especially for pressing ethnic hair.

3. Part your hair into 4 equal section. Use hair clips to hold hair in place.

4. Place hot comb on burner. Turn burner to about medium- medium low. Don't let the comb get too hot.

5. Take 1 section preferably starting at the back of the hair. Pull a small amount of hair out and put the rest back in the clip.

6. Take the pressing comb off the heat. Make sure the hot comb is not get to hot and is not smoking. You can also test your comb on a paper towel or even tissue paper. If the paper burns your comb is too hot.

7. Start at the ends and work your way up the hair shaft. It is a good idea to go over it until you are satisfied with the results.

8. When pressing your hair be sure to apply some pressure. Do this as you comb through the hair with the hot comb pressing your hair. To do this, put the pressing comb in the section of hair you have finished and twist it once. The comb should glide through your hair as you pull it through. Apply a little pressure when doing this.

Continue the steps above until all your hair is smooth and straight. Now your hair is manageable and ready to style.

There you have it "How to properly press hair".

Resource: Pressing-Hair.Info