How to Press Hair With a Straightening Comb

Pressing hair with a straightening comb has been used by African Americans since the early 1900's.

Pressing hair with a straightening comb is a method that has been used in the ethnic community, particularly the African American community, since it's invention in 1900 by Annie Malone. Today, you can use either the traditional comb that is heated over the stove or an electric, plug-in comb. Pressing hair with a straightening comb is a way to make curly and tangled hair more manageable. Although it doesn't yield the long lasting results a chemical hair relaxer does, it is less harsh on the hair and scalp and promotes healthier hair growth when used properly.

Things You'll Need

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Hair moisturizer
• Hair clips
• Straightening comb

Instructions

1. Wash and condition the hair with vitamin and moisture rich products. Wash and rinse hair twice before applying the conditioner. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for conditioning.

2. Apply a moisturizer or pressing oil to the hair. Don't apply too much, as it will make the hair too greasy after it has been pressed.

3. Blow dry the hair and scalp, or let it air dry. Blow drying will of course speed up the drying process, and allow you to move on to pressing the hair faster.

4. Part hair into four equal sections, and secure each section with a hair clip. If the hair is too long or too short, you may have to use more than one clip for each section.

5. Heat the pressing comb, either on the stove or plug in your electric pressing comb. Set your stove or electric pressing comb setting to a medium temperature. Don't let your comb get too hot, or you'll run the risk of burning your hair and scalp. If your comb is smoking, it is too hot. Wait until it cools off before using it.

6. Remove the clip from one of the parted sections. Pull out a small piece of hair starting from the back of the section. Put the rest of the hair section back into the clip. Start as close to the scalp as you can without touching it, and slowly comb through to the ends of the hair with the pressing comb. Do this until you are satisfied with the texture of the hair. Repeat this process until you have pressed the entire head.

References

• Bella Online: How to properly press ethnic hair
• Annie Malone: Straightening comb inventor