Treatments
Silk press or keratin? Choosing the right smoothing treatment
Both promise smooth, shiny hair, but they work very differently. Here is how to choose for your texture and lifestyle.
Jasmine Holloway5 min read
Clients ask me this every week, usually in August when the humidity is winning. A silk press and a keratin treatment can both leave hair sleek and glossy, but one is a style and the other is a chemical treatment. Knowing the difference helps you choose what suits your hair, budget and calendar.
What a silk press is
A silk press is a heat style. We cleanse, deep condition, blow-dry in sections and finish with a flat iron at a carefully controlled temperature. There are no chemicals, and your natural pattern returns the next time you wash. Done well, a silk press lasts one to two weeks and moves beautifully.
It is ideal if you love your curls most of the time but want a smooth look for an event, a vacation or a change. The risk is heat damage if it is done too often or too hot, so we recommend no more than one every three to four weeks.
What keratin smoothing is
Keratin is a semi-permanent treatment that coats the hair and is sealed with heat. It reduces frizz and drying time for three to four months but does not fully straighten tight curls. It suits wavy and loose curly hair that frizzes in humidity and takes too long to blow out.
Ask your salon which formula they use. We only offer formaldehyde-free smoothing, which is gentler on hair and kinder to the stylist breathing it in all day, although the results can be a little softer.
- Choose a silk press if you want to keep your natural curl pattern long-term.
- Choose keratin if you blow-dry most days and want to cut styling time in half.
- Skip keratin within a month of a wedding or big event; let it settle first.
- Avoid both on hair that is already breaking. Repair first with bond treatments.
The best smoothing treatment is the one your hair can handle, not the one that worked for your friend.
Make either one last
Sleep on a silk pillowcase or wrap your hair. Use a sulfate-free shampoo and keep washes to once or twice a week. In summer, carry a small anti-humidity serum for afternoons on King Street. And if you are unsure which is right for you, book a free consultation and we will look at your hair together.
