How to "Press" Or Straighten African American Hair

Achieve a straight style without the use of chemicals.

Long before the invention of modern flat irons, black women were straightening their hair through a method called pressing. Pressing can actually be preferable to flat ironing. The comb used in this method is often better able to separate and address all of your hair, whereas the plates of even the smallest flat iron only glide across the surface. Pressing combs are also better able to straighten short hair.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Wide-toothed comb
• Hair clips
• Protective oil or thermal spray
• Rat tail comb
• Straightening comb

1. Wash and condition your hair well. Your hair needs to be clean in order to respond properly to your straightening comb.

2. Detangle your hair with a wide-toothed comb while it is still wet, working from the tends toward the roots. Loosely braid your hair to keep it from becoming tangled again. Allow your hair to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

3. Remove your braids once your hair is dry.

4. Divide your hair into four sections. Clip each section up, leaving one of the rear sections loose.

5. Coat the loose section with a thermal protectant. Use professional thermal protectant or ordinary hair grease. The point is to place a protective layer of coverage on your hair to minimize heat damage. Do not completely saturate your hair.

6. Warm your pressing comb. If you are using a stove-top comb, it should be heated and then tested on a folded white paper towel. If the comb turns the paper brown or burns the towel, then it will burn your hair. Electric pressing combs have indicators that inform you when the comb is ready. For electric combs, begin with a medium setting.

7. Use the tail of a rat tail comb to pull away sections of hair the same width as that of your pressing comb. Take the hot comb and work it through the section of hair, pulling gently and slowly enough to allow heat to penetrate your hair. Do not remain on any part; keep the comb moving. You may have to comb through three to four times to achieve your desired level of straightness.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not press your hair daily. Your hair will encounter significant damage from this ongoing exposure to heat.

References

• Pressing Hair: How To Press A Section Of Hair
• Pressing Hair: Tips For Pressing Hair Without Damaging It