How do I repair my badly damaged hair after a perm?
By sarah yasin
I had a friend whose jealous hairdresser boyfriend literally ruined her hair with a perm. I've never seem hair that was so broken or looked melted.
She went to a salon and told them what happened. They recommended a series of deep conditioning treatments given by the salon. They also recommended regular trims to try to even out the hair to a more even length all around.
I don't know if this will work for your problem, but it's a great hair conditioner. Take some regular mayonaisse and put a lot of it on your dampened, clean hair. Wrap plastic around your head and keep it on for at least an hour. Rinse well and shampoo with deep conditioning shampoo. Then use a leave in conditioner. It couldn't hurt.
I'm sorry to hear of your problem and hope someone can help you.
Good luck.
Honestly, once hair is damaged there is not much you can do to repair it. There are silicone products that will make it seem more conditioned and soft, but these are a temporary fix as all conditioners eventually wash out and/or wear off. The only way to fix damaged hair is to cut it. You can get salon treatments that will help temporarily soften it, but all in all hair can not be "repaired" once it is damaged. An honest hair dresser will tell you to keep trimming it or cut it. I've been in the hair business for over 20 years, and there is not one product that can "fix" damaged hair.
Your hair is burnt. I've been here and I'm still here. There's some step you can take to improve this but its just going to take time.
2. Go to Sally. You will need a reconstructing shampoo and conditioner. Also you will need; coconut milk or oil leave in conditioner and deep conditioning treatment. (There is a very good product called "Wen" Google it.) I would highly recommend it. If you do get all they offer make sure you still buy coconut oil still because this will keep the frizz down. If you dont get "Wen" then read step 3.
3. Use Reconstructing shampoo and conditionar on your hair every day followed be the Leave in conditioner then the coconut oil. Deep condition it every other day.
Note: Do NOT use heat and if you can help it dont brush it. Maybe just run you finger throught it because the more you brush it the fuzzier your hair will get and the more it will fall out.
Mine did the same. My hair was super long and blonde, down to my butt. It's currently brown and to my shoulders. I got my home perm almost a year ago, and I've cut off so much since.
My hair felt elastic and would fall out but not a lot. My hair also was really thick and now it's kind of thin. I use a keratin shampoo and conditioner, Moroccan deep conditioner, coconut oil, black tea rinse, everything. My hair has grown out about 7-8 inches since then. Still really frizzy.
I'm cutting off the perm inch by inch every month. My hair grows pretty fast too which is amazing. Everything will be fine, I still use heat on my hair but it's not often, probably 3 times a month which is way less than what I used to.
I promise that your hair will be back to normal in no time. I'm currently rocking the lob right now, and I love it, but I'm ready to have my long hair back.
I had the same thing happen to me. I have super thin fine hair and my perm dried my hair out so bad and the ends split and it was horrible. I took conditioner out of a box of hair dye and wet my hair and put the conditioner all through it and really laid it on thick. Then I wrapped my hair in a towel and left the conditioner on for 20 minutes.
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 my hair start falling out in clumps. When it's dry it doesn't fall out, but when it's wet it falls out.
So what can I do, instead of cutting all of my hair off to help it grow back and stop from falling out? Please help.If you had your hair permed at a salon, you should immediately return to the salon and request (demand!?) their help to solve the problem that they created. A probable fix would be to cut off the severely damaged areas, improve the rest of your hair with appropriate treatment and provide a reasonable cut, etc., to ride out the regrowth period.
I would return to the salon and get help. A perm should not cause your hair to fall out. But, before you return, make sure that you do indeed have a problem. When I had very long hair, I certainly noticed that it fell out when I shampooed it, but that was because it was easy to see.
After getting a perm my hair is falling out. It looks dull and matted like dog's hair. What can I do?
Growing up I had gotten perms several times throughout the years. Simple home perm my mom would do it would seriously last for months! I have thicker by strand and density, courser hair that is straight- to easily obtained soft body with styling. All I wanted is more permanent body for a more mussy look.
I don't use a lot of product at all. I use leave in conditioner even when I condition in the shower. I take 14,000 mcg of biotin with keratin daily to help growth and it does make a difference. All I use for styling is a large barrel brush and a blow dryer. My style is long soft natural looking layers. I use salon products nexxus therrape line has been best response so far-
Well during covid, I decided to do a perm for the mussy look. It would be a nice change. No! It turned out horrible, a half permed frizzed mess! I suffered through, waited weeks before trying to fix with a straight perm to reverse the effects. I have straight permed before and never had any issues. This time it took out the horrible half curled mess but left a lot of areasstraight frizzed?
I get my hair trimmed often as I"m trying to grow out a stacked shoulder length bob. I really really miss my long hair!! Well last trim, I explained what we did to the stylist and she said it's weird because my hair, considering all the major stress and chemicals, is shockingly very healthy!
She said when doing a straight perm always use a wider toothed comb and comb it straight never pull it straight. Pulling is like stretching a rubber band you overextended it and when released ,it bounces back misshaped aka frizzed having damaged the shaft. So I over extended the elasticity in other words. But I didn'tpulland used a wide tooth comb.
Now, when I wash and condition even use a leave in, when it dries, it'sstraight frizz! So frustrating! The only thing that takes the frizz out now is a flat iron used on low heat. I hate all that heat all the time. I do use a heat protectant before I flat iron. It has been like 3-4 months since I straight permed. Would doing another straight perm fix it? More trims? Both? Please tell me how to get rid of this frizz. Here's the thing, it doesn't feel fried or dry, it's like the stylist said, surprisingly healthy. It feels healthy, it's soft and shiny. I just want the frizz gone.
Towards the end of May I dyed my hair black. It wasn't a permanent dye, but only a temporary one. Around a week later I got a perm because my mom said it would be okay to perm it after coloring. I believed her because she went to beauty school.
When she put the perm in my hair it turned a light brownish color and I thought it was just the color stripping out. However when I went to rinse out the perm my hair began to fall out in wads. Now the middle of my hair is gone. It fell out and all I have is little short stubs of hair in the middle of my head. I am still able to pull it into a bin but I am now losing hair around my edges. It also changed into a light brown which is not my natural color and falls out easily now. My hair is a little under my shoulders and I don't want to have to cut it. What can I do to get my hair to grow healthy again? My sister suggested getting braids, would that be a good choice? Please help me!
By jayycee23
As a retired salon owner, I can tell you that it was the perm being over processed that has created your problem, if you are certain that you permed over a temporary color. The perm stripped the temporary color from your hair. Go to a salon or a beauty supply store and get protein treatments. That will not cure the problem, but, it should look better and stop falling out after several treatments. Above all, do NOT have your hair braided, as this process puts a lot of stress on hair strands and could cause you more hair loss. Best of luck.
I got a perm last week, I have blonde and brown hair so she knew I had bleach in my hair from before. However she was really busy and mentioned not leaving it on very long, but now I have no curls even the day I left.
It was just a wave here and there but no curls and a lot of straight pieces. Is it from the blonde or not doing the perm right? Can I fix it at home to just be straight again so it doesn't look crazy.So my friend and I got a home perm she put the perm in my hair wrong. She put only the curling lotion in my hair and now my hair is coming out.
I've washed it out with shampoo and I am keeping conditioner in it, but honestly I am really scared.I had gone without a perm for 6 months. I went to the hairdresser I was using and she wanted to lighten my hair for the summer months. My natural hair is sandy red hair.
I've been dying my hair black for years now. Well, she put something on my hair to lift the black color off. She did this about 2 or 3 times. Then she bleached it and I didn't know she used bleach. Well, my hair was orange and I didn't like it; this was a Friday that she did this and on Monday I asked if she can darken it back black.
2 weeks later I was calling to see if it was perm time because my hair was unmanageable, she never responded so I let another stylist perm my hair. The perm didn't burn and I was shocked, but as soon as she started washing my hair it was coming out by the handfuls. It's been 6 weeks now and my hair is stringy around the edges. It broke off to the root through the middle and pretty much all around. If I cut my hair I'll be in a fro and I don't want this.
What do you suggest I do and how long should I expect my hair to grow back? It looks awful it's thin all over. I only have a few strands to slick it up in a bun. My sister suggested that I use this Alpha g treatment on it. Please help. I don't know what to do.
By Yoshi
Hair grows at the rate of half an inch a month. There's a limit to how much dyeing and perming hair can stand and it looks like you've reached it.
To grow healthy hair you need a healthy diet including vegetables, protein and good oils like nuts, seeds, avocado, tuna and salmon.
You can try moisturizing your hair with liquid vegetable oil or mayonnaise. It sounds very damaged, you may have to cut the ends off eventually.
I suggest not doing any type of chemical treatment to your hair for a long time, preferably never again. If you want to dye it again, try using Henna as it is not only cheaper but not damaging to your hair.
Also, to repair the damage you have now, buy some coconut oil at a health food store, use about 1-2 tbsp on dry hair (comb it through), wrap it with a plastic bag, then a towel and leave it overnight. In the morning, wash your hair at least twice to get the oil out and condition lightly.
You may have to do this treatment once a month (maybe every two weeks). If you have fine hair, once a month would work. Also, do not wash your hair every day. Washing only once a week keeps the natural oils of your hair and it will restore it faster. Start by washing every second day, then after awhile work up to once a week. I've been washing my hair once a week now for 15 years!
Good luck :)
I want to repair my hair. My mom made me do perms for my whole life (17 years), but I'm old enough now to say no. How do I repair my hair so it's not stuck in a halfway relaxed state?
I would talk to a professional stylist and have him/her assess your hair and recommend next steps. If you can find one that offers any natural suggestions (there are lots of recipes online for hair masks made with things like coconut oil, olive oil, bananas, honey etc), that would be the best as you don't want to use any more harsh chemicals if you don't have to--some stylists are also naturalists so if you can find one, that would be my suggestion!
If they recommend purchased products, read the ingredients carefully and pick those with the least number of things that you don't know (chemicals and such) or if money is an issue, tell them you will consider them next time and Google natural/homemade hair masks based on what they tell you about your hair's condition.
I hope you and your mom can handle future hair discussions with respect and calmness since it sounds you have been quite distraught over having perms all of these years.
Post back what you learn and how things are with your mom!! Prayers and blessings to you!
How can I repair damage done to my hair by a home perm? It is falling out in clumps. I have had it cut.
By Mary
Is your hair falling out or breaking off? Falling out would probably be due to an allergy from the product; breaking off (most likely at the roots) would be from over processing or burning the hair at the scalp - this has happened to me three times. I will not get another perm; I was just meant to have straight hair. I had to let mine grow out - a time consuming and embarassing process, especially when the stubs are about 1/4 inch long and sticking out everywhere.
I just got a perm and it broke a lot of my hair off. How can I get my hair to grow quicker? I know stimulating the scalp works wonders, but why did my hair break off so badly? It has no color on it.
I'm so confused on this. When I was younger I had color and a perm and now all the sudden I decided to get one and my hair breaks off all over my head. Please help I'm really embarrassed.If you had your hair perm at a salon, you should return there immediately and request they provide treatments to improve your hair now to help with the breakage, dryness and color loss. The salon and hair stylist are responsible to provide a good result! Do not back down if they refuse any better treatment!!! If they still refuse, tell the owner/manager that you will go to the Better Business Bureau to report your problem if they do not comply.
My hair was bleached 2 months ago, and I had it permed last day, but the result made me sad. I have got brittle, dry, damaged hair. It's like I can't comb my hair, for it's damaged too much. I don't want to cut my hair, what should I do? I really need help.
By Nancy
Hairstylists use a conditioning product called "balsam" to repair damaged hair. I have seen it sold at "dollar" and other discount stores. It's a really thick conditioner that works amazingly well.
A few days ago my friend permed my hair because I missed my long wavy hair. I have super short straight hair that has never been permed or anything of the like. She accidentally used a super perm. Now my hair went from my natural light brown to a dirty blond. I haven't dyed or bleached my hair since long before I cut it all off a year ago. The only thing I've done to it was use a homemade toner to make it a bit lighter. Some of it turned white and fell out. Lots of it is really frizzy and light colored. I tried covering my head in argon and coconut oils for about 6 hours or so, deep conditioning, air drying, and finger combing instead of brushing. My hair is only about 6 inches long, I really don't want to go bald. Any cheap and easy remedies for this broke college student?
The picture is a before one.
Home remedies to repair your damaged hair after a perm.
I got a perm yesterday and the operator either used too small of a rod or left the solution on too long. My white hair is a frizzy mess. I don't color my hair, so it is pretty healthy. I wanted a wash and wear perm, but this isn't it.
By Sandra C.
"Wash" your hair with only conditioner, no shampoo, it really works. A family member who has very curly natural hair always cleans her hair this way, and you will be amazed that it actually does leave you with "clean" hair and in a more manageable condition, after one of those "bad" perms.
Early last year I put a perm in my hair. I didn't notice until after it was done that I had mixed two different strength perms in my hair (mild and super). The damage to my hair was devastating. When I washed it out my hair was like elastic and it was breaking off something terrible! After making the decision to just cut it off and hope for the best it has grown back it just hasn't been the same since. I'm using two perm repair deep conditioners in my hair, not using heat on my hair, and I've been taking vitamins such as biotin for the health of my hair.
I know it requires patience seeing as it was a botched perm job, but my question is, will my hair ever return to it's natural grade before I permed it? Is your hair ever the same after a perm?
By s.r
I agree with the other responder. As a former cosmetologist, I can verify that until all the damaged hair has been cut away, it will not be the same. Until your new growth has reached a length you are comfortable cutting to, conditioning does help, but be careful not to over condition.
A reconstructing conditioner once per month, a perm repair conditioner every 2 weeks, a regular moisturizing conditioner the rest of the time. There is actually such a thing as over conditioning. It won't make much difference one way or the other on the perm-burned ends, but could be why your new growth feels different to you. Taking the vitamins is always a good idea, damage or not.
Another good point was brought up-the difference you feel in the new growth is likely unrelated to the perm damage, as the hair that was unformed inside your scalp can suffer no lasting effect from what was applied to hair you already have. The only way the new growth would be affected from the perm is if you also suffered a chemical burn on your scalp, and I doubt you did, because you would have run to a doctor by now.
Another possibility is that the difference in the damaged hair and new growth is so great that the new growth feels odd. One more thing, until you have enough new growth to cut off all damaged ends, trim frequently: 1/8 inch a week, in other words just the very ends, will minimize damage traveling up the hair shaft without cutting off more than what grows out. So you won't see more length, but you will see a lot less damage than if you didn't trim frequently. Good luck!
I got my perm in August and now the ends of my hair are fluffy. My hair used to be fine, but now the ends are coarse, what do I do? Please help!
By Isabella
I have very dry damaged hair. These tricks seem to help manage the frizz:
After shampooing, use a good conditioner and massage it into the ends of your hair; leave on for 3-5 min. Rinse with cool water
When towel drying your hair, squeeze out as much water as possible, then use a towel to squeeze more water out, do not 'rustle' your hair through the towel
Use a good leave in conditioner and massage gently into the ends of your hair.
You can braid it or put it in a low bun to wind the hair together, which will help it lay flat.
If you really want your hair to look beautiful and sleek, use a flat iron or curling iron. Using heat is not ideal on damaged hair but is good when you really need it. Use a heat protector or argan oil etc, and massage through the ends of your dry hair. Gently straighten or softly curl the ends. Voila!
I permed my hair once and it has been a couple years and it hasn't gone back to the way it was. I used to have curly hair and then I put in a perm that straightened my hair. It was called One n Only. My hair goes to like 5 inches lower than my shoulders and I want my hair longer also. Now I want my natural hair back. Should I get a curly perm? And how do I get my hair to be longer.
By Abbigail C.
In the case of perms, perm is short for "permanent", whether it is permanent wave (curly perm) or perm as short for relaxer (permanent straightener). If you look closely at your hair after you shampoo, you will likely see 2 distinct textures; the ends will be straight or mostly straight, and the new growth will be closer to your natural texture. You may have to lift some of the hair in your hand to see the difference more easily, since length makes hair heavier and may be stretching your new growth.
That being said, you will want to do one of two things: either cut off all the hair up to the new growth (on average hair grows about 1/2 inch per month, so multiply how many months it has been since the perm times 1/2 inch to determine where new growth ends), or get a really good trim, and regular trims until all or most of the perm is gone, then less frequent trims after that to maintain your ends. Putting a curly perm on your hair will be ok for the new growth, but not for the hair that has a straight perm-those ends will become "fried", or severely damaged.
I suspect as you get rid of the permed ends you will start to see your curls more defined without additional chemicals. But whatever you choose to do, don't put a curly perm anywhere near those permed ends. A good deep conditioner will help from time to time as well. Good Luck!
Source: 10 years of cosmetology experience
I had my first perm in September 2013 and loved it! However recently my hair has been falling out a lot more. I have noticed a lot of short hair where it has broken. This is like an inch long from my scalp and is along my parting so really sticks up! I hardly straighten my hair and try to leave it dry naturally as much as possible. I also try not to wash it too often, as this is when it usually falls out. I haven't coloured my hair for about 6 weeks so can't think what could be causing this.
Please help!
By Sophie
More than likely the perm isn't what is causing the damage. For many years I got perms about every three months and never experienced any breakage. In between I was coloring my hair, however, I was following the advice of my sister who was a hair stylist. She didn't do my hair because she lived too far away, but she told me how long to wait in between the chemical processes.
People do lose a certain number of hairs every day and new hair grows in, unless there is a reason for new hair to not replace it. When the hair grows in along an area like a part, you will notice it, in comparison to if it is growing in to another area. I can't figure out why you would want to get a perm and then occasionally straighten it.
