I went to a salon this morning for a perm. The goal was to get some curl for my long semi straight hair. I showed her pictures and we agreed to try with the knowledge that the perm may not turn out exactly how I want. When I left the salon I only had a mild curl.
If the hair is healthy in all other respects, just under processed, there should be no problem in giving the perm over. A competent hairdresser would take many factors into consideration, including that the hair was previously processed to a limited degree.
If a perm is given to long hair (past shoulders), the weight of the hair can put tension on that hair near the scalp causing the perm to appear lax there. However, if the perm was given properly on healthy hair, there would be just as much curl near the scalp. It would not appear so because of the tension. Proof of this can be seen by cutting the hair short. This happens with naturally curly hair, as well.
Hairdressers are licensed by a state board of cosmetic art examiners. Being licensed by the state does not mean what it use to. A successful perm/ cold wave depends on several factors, the two most important being elasticity and tensile strength. When was the last time you saw a hairdresser test the hair for elasticity and tensile strength before proceeding with a perm?
Long hair takes much much longer to wrap. A lot of hairdressers will cut short the processing time because they know the perm solution has been on the first wrapped hair longer than usual. Hence, under processed hair and little curl. There is an easy way around this but most hairdressers wont do it. That is to wrap the hair using very dilute solution or even water. Only after the entire head is wrapped should full strength solution be applied, beginning with those areas most resistant, usually the nape and temples.
Give me a client with healthy hair, having proper elasticity and tensile strength; and I will give her a perm that will last til it's cut off. It doesn't matter if her hair is down to her kidneys.
I'm so sorry that you have had to go through this. It sounds to me that they did something very wrong. When I got a perm on my long hair in the 90s, I left the salon with very curly hair.
I know that the chemicals can be very damaging to your hair so perhaps you are lucky that they didn't actually ruin your hair. I would ask for a refund and go somewhere else. Even a beauty college should do a better job than that! Good luck.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I got a perm yesterday and it was supposed to be a body perm. It looks like I curled my hair many days ago and it's fallen out to a very loose wave. There are several straight pieces and one almost completely straight piece in the very front. What do I do to make it look more full and curly?
I wanted some volume! I'm supposed to go back to her in two weeks to get my hair dyed too. I was supposed to look beautiful for my fiancé's army graduation in three weeks. This isn't what I paid for, what do I do?Go back immediately and have her fix it. The longer you wait, the more likely she wont give you a refund because shell say its something you did
Have her curl your hair with a curling iron. Tell her you depended on her to give you a nice hairdo for this special occasion. No charge, of course
Spray it with water, then crunch it up with your hands with some hair gel. Repeating after a while will make the hair take the curl. I used to do this all the time when I would perm my hair.
3 days ago I got a perm. The week before I got chop stick curls and loved them, so I decided to go for the perm. I went to the salon for a consultation and showed pictures of what I wanted. Then I went to the salon to get the perm, to say I'm unhappy is an understatement. They used number 2 perming solution and small rollers. It was left on for around 15 to 20 minutes. My hair was in great condition and no medication so unsure what has gone wrong.
My hair has a loose small wavy curl, mostly fuzzy.
I've washed my hair and put a deep conditioner on it. I even bought curl spray and nothing is helping. I'm left with this. The salon said they can't do anything and advised me to leave a conditioner on. I'm now left with hair nothing like I asked for and no idea how to fix it. Any advice please.
I just got a perm 2 days ago, but I don't think my friend put the rollers tight enough. What can I use to get more curl in my hair?
Let your hair air dry after washing (i.e., leave yourself enough time you don't need to blow dry it before leaving for work). And while it's drying, dab a bit of gel on your hands, rub your palms together then scrunch the gel into your hair.
Perm rods should not be wound tightly, as this can cause hair breakage. If your friend proceeded to perm your hair without fully understanding the results you wanted, or without the knowledge to obtain those results, any corrective work you may choose to have done, should be done by a professional.
The two main reasons for permed hair not being as curly as desired are, the perm rods used were too large in diameter and produced a wave rather than a curl. The other is that the perm was under processed (assuming your hair had the proper elasticity to be permed). If too large rods were used but the perm was fully processed, you should accept what you have.
If the correct size rods were used but the hair was under processed, then the perm can be given again.This could be considered a delicate procedure and should be carried out only by a well seasoned cosmetologist. (The hair probably should be wrapped with water, not wave solution. The solution should be applied after all hair is wound. The solution more than likely should be diluted by a third with water or a placenta conditioner such as Hask). See a professional.
I did a retouch Wave Nueveau curly and half curly and the ends came out straight! What went wrong and how can I fix it?
I had a perm done yesterday, at a salon. When I got home I noticed that some bits at the back looked like it hadn't taken and a piece at the front of my hair. I thought I would ring the salon just to mention that. I was though in general happy with the perm, but when I woke this morning it looked like the perm has dropped out!
I have a bit of frizz at the front and the rest looks straight. Does anyone know what could have gone wrong? I'm going back to the salon on Thursday as that's the day the lady works. I've not added any products, combed it, or washed it. I haven't even run my fingers through it.
By all means, keep your appointment to go back. By any chance are you pregnant or on high hormones? I have been told by numerous hairdressers that if you are in either of these states, that perms don't take.
I got a perm yesterday and it seems like it just keeps getting straighter. My hair is long and layered. I was only at the salon for maybe two hours which surprised me. I just knew it was going to take much longer. The solution was on my hair for about 20 min. Was that long enough? And how do I know if she used enough rollers? It looked fine when she first took it down, but then she picked it to trim my ends which confused me too.
Shouldn't she have done that first? I did tell her that it looks like its getting straight. She said to put leave in conditioner in and wait until I can wash it. She said that it should look better after that. Is that true? I'm so confused because the shorter hair seems straighter.Two hours is the average time for a cut, perm, set and comb out. If your hair is quite long, it could have taken longer.
There is no way for the reader to tell if the 20 minute processing time was adequate. Perms come in different strengths and different types of hair would require different processing times with the same perm solution.
Again, there is no way for the reader to know if enough rods were used. If your hair is quite long, and depending on the size rods used, there probably should not have been a space anywhere on your scalp to lay your little finger. Many hairdressers skimp in this area and don't use enough rods.
The little ringlets at the end of the hair is the most sought after part of a perm. All cutting of the hair should be done prior to giving a perm so these are not cut off. If hair ends need to be cut after the perm, something was done incorrectly. Maybe the ends were overprocessed and burned. It could be that the hairdresser needs a refresher course in this area. I would never seek the services of a hairdresser who cut the hair after giving a perm.
A conditioner, leave in or otherwise, will have no effect on how much curl you have nor how much you keep. After expressing your concern, the hairdresser should have offered to make an appointment to examine your hair.
All hairdressers make mistakes. The better ones offer to correct their mistakes at no expense to the client. Trust is built this way.
I do not agree that you should go back to the same hairdresser to have any corrective work done. The fact that she cut your hair after the perm coupled with the fact that all she advised was the use of a conditioner upon learning your hair seemed to be getting straighter, tells me you need to find another hairdresser. If she does corrective work, the results might be worse than what you have now.
Until you can wash it? This is nonsense. If you got a good curl and then waited 48 hours, you could shampoo your hair 5 times in one day and it would have no effect on the curl.
Wet your hair now. It is the only way you can tell if you have a decent curl. A properly given perm does not get straighter. However, over the course of months, it can lose some of its spring and bounce.
If the shorter hair has less curl, I would guess there was uneven application of the perm wave solution. The hairdresser should have done no less than 5 test curls, two of them in areas where the hair is known to be more resistant.
Count your losses. Find another hairdresser, one who will be honest about whether they will be able to correct your hair to your satisfaction.
Thank you so much for your advice. I did go back to the salon but I didn't see her . she wasn't there even though she knew I was coming that day. I seen another lady that tried to help me . she had to do a lot to get my curls to stay .( a lot of gel ..) She also cut my hair to see if that would help , it didn't . I still found some hair that was almost straight.She told me that that's what I will have to do since my hair is long. I don't agree . my hair is to the middle of my back and layered . She did call the lady that did the perm to let her know everything. She said she would fix it in a couple weeks. With everything you told me I will take your advice and go to someone else due to the fact she did a few things wrong . thank you so much for your advice and time .
I would like to know some suggestions. I permed my hair last year. Then I shaved it low to the point where it couldn't be braided, but was not shaved completely off. Now my hair has grown out some and parts of my hair have lost its curl pattern and when I twist or braid it looses out.
I got a perm a few days ago and finally washed it after the required 3 days. I requested tight curls, but when my hair dried it was barely even wavy. Can I go back and get a refund or a redo?
Beauty shops have to guarantee their work.
A bad hair experience is no fun and you paid your money, explained what you wanted and since this did not happen, you are entitled to some sort of recourse/remedy. You will have to decide if you really want a redo at this shop or if you want a hassle when requesting a refund.
This is not something that I am familiar with but researching your problem it appears there is not a lot of success in getting a refund in this situation so be sure you know what you want to do before going back.
I would definitely recommend that you return to the solon/shop and discuss this with them as soon as possible. I do not recommend calling them as this just gives them a head start on preparing an answer before you arrive.
I permed my hair last night. I have really long hair and used medium sized rollers. We followed all the directions as told. It didn't hold well though. I woke up to it being wavy and some parts even looking straight. My mom says she should've left it longer, but my grandmother thinks she should've used 2 boxes and left it on longer since my hair is so long. I'm wanting to redo it tonight. What do I do?
By Hali L
Personally, I would not re-do the perm right away. I'd live with it for awhile. But, I have no experience with perms. It is just my opinion from reading about other people's experiences. There are several ladies on here who are hair stylists. Hopefully, they will see your question.
I permed my hair yesterday and the curls did not take. My hairstylist says its because the colour I had on my hair was running out and the metal base mixed with the perm that is why it did not hold the curls.
My hair was tinted 4months ago. Please help.I got a perm today, and there weren't any curls when she took the rollers out. It's dried now, and still no curl, not even a wave. Should I go back and ask for a refund?
Oh yes. If you say there are no curls and you had the perm today, go in right away and show that there are no curls.
You can ask for a refund, it is possible that they will offer to do your hair again. It is up to do as to whether you want to go thru the process again.
I would first address the hairstylist, requesting a refund. If the hairstylist refuses to give you a refund, request to speak to manager, if you get no where I would tell them you are taking them to small claims court. You never know they might change their mind. Do not agree to have your hair redone by this stylist. There might be tension between the both of you. Slso, there is a second time your comes out unsatisfactory. Also, do not repent your hair until you see a new stylist and show them your hair and let them judge what is the next srmtep to remedy your hair.
So yesterday I just got my first hair permed. I just want to permed half below part of my hair as she recommended it as my hair length is a bit passed shoulder, I could say medium. It's big curls. Its looks good after she permed and washed it. Then she blow dried it. I was satisfied with it. It took me two and a half hours.
At around the evening, it started to lose its bounce and curl. I thought it was normal. On the next day, it is more straighter than before. And now it's losing its curl. I'm starting to get worried. I haven't washed it, it's just past 24 hours. I'm waiting to wash it after 48 hours and see if it will get curly or at least wavy again. Will it tho? I'm worrying about it.
I got a perm on a Friday, but by Sunday it looked like the front of my hair (by my temples) was almost completely straight. I hoped that on Tuesday when I washed it that things would be OK. So Tuesday came around and I washed and styled my hair with a curling shampoo and conditioner then used curling styling products and a diffuser. 
I went to work for only 3 hours and now I do have a problem with excessive sweating on my face and head from a medication I am taking and I also live in North Carolina where it is hot as crap outside. But here I was again after a few hours with the front of my hair almost completely straight and now the back underneath at the neck area almost completely straight as well. So I'm not sure if the perm was not processed correctly or this is coming from my sweating issue or if maybe there are some styling suggestions that can help, but I'm really disappointed because the parts that are curly are absolutely gorgeous and then I just have these awkward straight pieces.
Please help.
I got a flash wave perm yesterday and the hair dresser brushed my hair straight so she could trim it. It dried in the mean time.
Will my hair not be as wavy as I wanted it since it will be like this until I can wash it?Why not use a spray bottle filled with water, spray your hair and find out just how wavy it's going to be? And next time, perhaps ask your stylist to trim before perming?
I have been getting perms for years since the 80s. and every perm except the 1st one has worked out fine. I got a perm a few weeks ago at a Learning college and my perm did not work out.
I went back 4 wks later to show them the result and I was told that the Shampoo and Conditioners like pantene and Tresemme have silicons and Parabens in them that stop the perm from working as well.
I also noticed that the solution that was put in my curls did not wet my head very much but all the other times dripped down my head to ensure saturation.
The other Taboo thing the Teacher did was like you Combed my Curls straight to trim the bottom even though she had just told the student not to brush with a bristle brush or blow wave. I won't be going back to this salon as I feel the teacher also was not familiar with do's and don'ts of a new perm. (such a shame because the other learning colleges have done an outstanding job but dont do perms any more!!) I have also been told that if I want to perm again that I need to wait about 8 wks and to repair my hair with kinder shampoo and condition to repair it and restore it back to healthy hair.
Well I've turned 48 and am looking at the big 50. I thought I'd get my hair done. I believe that everyone has to be given the chance to do what they were taught. So I tried the beauty college. I went in and checked it out. I was impressed with how it looked and everyone was polite. The next step was to make an appointment. So now mind you my hair is my trade mark, everyone knows me for my hair. I'm not trying to sound stuck up. It's a small town, I am a bartender.
I took a picture of the style of how I wanted my hair to look when it was completed. The young lady was watching and listening to me trying to understand what I wanted it. I also told her I wanted a spiral perm. I explained that in the past it usually took 2 perms and anywhere from a hour to hour in half. This young lady was doing really well, but she had 3, mind you 3 different teachers breathing down her throat. The first one was one floor teacher, then the second to cover floor when the first wasn't there. Then the great almighty teacher over all teachers. At more than one time they were all telling her what to do at the same time. Bless her heart she was ready to cry. You now know the story.
I feel like I know my head and hair better than anyone. The big teacher said that my perm agent will not work no longer than 20 minutes. That was 2 perms for 20 minutes to maybe 30 minutes. This is Thursday I got the perm, and I didn't wash till Sunday. In my opinion it looked practically straight. I went up there to show them my hair. It was kinda funny because none of them jumped up to say how good it looked. The tension in the room could have been cut with a knife. So 2 perms, 20 minutes, spiral rods, no heat, three teachers none of them saying the same thing and a student who is just ready to cry. As for my perm problem what can you tell me or help me with?
Thanks.
Sorry to hear that your beauty school experience was not so great! That is disappointing. Two thoughts from me...one is to contact the owner of the school and as politely as possible ask for a full refund based on everything you just said here. They owe you that. Print out your question here so you have it all in front of you and in writing.
As for your hair, I suggest babying it for a month or so, deep conditioning and such and handling it as little as possible and then in that time seek out a real salon and talk to someone there to see if they will give you names of someone who had the exact style you want and make sure they were happy, then schedule yourself a pampering day. OR if you see someone on the street with your exact style, ask who did it!! To me that is the best way to find a good stylist.
Sometimes you just have to leave it to the pros.
Wishing you all the curls you dream of as soon as your hair has had a chance to rest!
Take care.
I had gotten a perm about 36 hours ago and my hair was very curly when I got the perm, but now it seems as if the curls came out and my hair is becoming a lot straighter. I have not rinsed, shampooed, or even washed my hair since the perm. What should I do?
