I don't recommend pressing mainly because you have relaxed hair and the heat may further destroy your ends. I suggest just baggying at night. Moisturize your ends and seal with an oil (coconut oil is pretty good) then place a showercap over your head (i usually use a shower cap and a satin cap). In the morning, your hair would be supermoist and soft and the ends would be protective. That's just my suggestion...
I agree. I'm sort of in the same boat as you, trying to grow out severely damaged ends (but salons here don't know nothin' bout no black hair) so I'm trimming it myself.
Since it looks like you have plenty of hair to make a french roll, perhaps you should start using coconut oil and amla treatments, concentrating on the ends, then twisting it up with some good hair days pins or bobby pins.
Then 2-3 weeks before relaxing, deep condition 2x per week with something like motions silk protein deep conditioner. Since I can't get it over here, I'm adding lotioncrafters silk amino acid to my current local deep conditioner, but motions is still pretty good.
The amla and coconut oil will get your hair in better shape and able to accept moisture better.
My hair ain't perfect but it's much better than it was (especially since I live in a dustbowl!)
Also, invest in a good silk scarf to wear at night. If you sleep wild and it comes off, try the scarf on your head and a satin pillowcase to provide more slip.
Your hair is in a really fragile state right now, but you'd be surprised how much you can save if you switch up the regimen a bit.
If all else fails, get yourself a wig, and baggie your hair underneath with deep conditioner in it 2x a week and coconut oil the rest of the week.
I did this for 1 month and it prevented me from losing most of my hair to dry weather. Try to not let the cut dictate how you grow your hair. You want your hair in good condition so you can get your hair cut however YOU want.