Does anyone Perm their hair anymore?

[Zandy595]

I have very fine, thin hair and if I don't have a perm it looks awful. It just hangs straight and limp. I really wish I didn't have to get perms, but I don't know what else to do with it to make it look better. My stylist said coloring would give it some thickness, but I don't think I want to get into that. I don't feel like going all the time to get it done, not to mention the cost. Besides, I like the color of my hair.

 

[N.Bailey]

I really don't know anyone who perms their hair anymore, but I can understand what you're saying. Perhaps instead of a perm, you could get a new hair style? I have very fine hair too (lots of it, but fine), and a shorter cut has always worked miracles (like appearing to add volume). It's an adjustment, but perhaps you could talk to your beautician about a nice cut for your hair type? Perms are so damaging that I can't believe how we all used to get them all the time.

If you've not done so (imagine you probably have), I'd suggest taking a flat iron to your hair and see if you like that result before making a more drastic change. Straight hair is very in style, and the iron might get rid of the, "limp" portion of your statement.

 

[RadioNate]

My 91 year old grandmother does!

I have pretty fine hair too and have often considered a perm. My stylist in Chicago laughed at me and said there was no way she was perming my hair. The guy I go to here said he'd do it but not before he had every stylist he knows try to talk me out of it! I know they sound snotty but they really were good natured exchanges.

 

[KimR]

I completely feel for you. My hair is very fine and thin, too.

I seem to remember reading (and i think it was on these boards) about a new type of perm similar to what we used to call a body wave. For all I know, it IS just a body wave with a new, updated name. At any rate, it will give your hair body and manageablity without having the outdated 'permed' look.

The right styling products can help too. I can't recommend Matrix root lifter enough - you will be amazed at how much thicker your hair will look. Also, gel, gel, gel, and hairspray. Don't listen to those who say gel isn't good for thin hair and only weighs it down. That may be the case for 'normally' thin hair, but if your hair is VERY thin even air weighs it down. The gel will give it substance and then you can use hot rollers for volume.

Also, I used to use clip-on extensions so maybe you could try those? I finally got fed up with it all and started wearing permanent extensions, which I love, but you probably don't want to go that route.

 

[Abbie]

Yup, twice a year for me, although it's more for maintenance than anything else. It's really waves, not so much curls, and it's so easy to do my hair, just shake, finger comb and I'm good to go! I have it done at a salon.

At home I will also occasionally perm my two daughters' hair when they beg, usually just before summer. They both have long hair and it turns out gorgeous! (Doesn't hurt to be young beautiful 20-somethings either! )

 

[Micpooh]

I don't perm anymore, haven't had one since I was a teen but I can tell you that color works wonders for your hair. I had always had very thick hair until I started having it bleached. I did that for about 2 years and it ate my hair up. Broken pieces and much thinner. I had it covered with color and it has taken awhile but may hair feels and looks so much better. The color adds so much volume. It still isn't as thick as it used to be but it is much better now a year later. Everytime I get the color done I am amazed a thow wonderful my hair feels.

 

[mrsv98]

Yes! I too have fine thin hair (thanks thyroid ) and I get a perm about every 6 months. I have curl in my hair but it turns to frizz so a perm gives me volume and control. I get an organic perm which is fab, no stinky smell and much gentler on the hair. The salon I go to also happens to take care of a lot of cancer patients so they are very used to dealing with hair "issues".

 

[Zandy595]

Yes! I too have fine thin hair (thanks thyroid ) and I get a perm about every 6 months. I have curl in my hair but it turns to frizz so a perm gives me volume and control. I get an organic perm which is fab, no stinky smell and much gentler on the hair. The salon I go to also happens to take care of a lot of cancer patients so they are very used to dealing with hair "issues".

I think my thinning hair is thyroid related also. I used to have a lot of hair, but in the last 10 years I'm finding a lot more falling out. Most of my family has thyroid problems and my mom's been on my case about getting it tested.

 

[NikitaZee]

No, I wouldn't perm my hair. I did get it done in high school a couple of times, but I have fine, thin hair like you and all it did was give me fine, thin hair that looked curly. It didn't add any body to it whatsoever - I was going for the nice, thick Julia Roberts look and never got it. Coloring, though - adds a whole new dimension - hair feels and looks thicker.

 

[NotUrsula]

It's essentially out of fashion. If you don't care about fashion, then it's up to you. (It will come back into fashion again eventually, it always does. Perms were in in the twenties and thirties, out in the 40s, in in the 50s, out in the sixties and early 70s, in in the late 70s and 80s, etc.)

I've got really super-thin baby-fine hair, too; it runs in my mom's family. Unfortunately, prematurely grey hair runs in my Dad's family. I tried doing perm AND color a few times, but it was just too hard on my hair, so I gave up on perms long before they went out of style.

The trick to getting some acceptable volume on very fine thin hair is getting a good blunt cut AND drying it upside-down. No layers -- run far away from that idea. If you use gel use it only on the roots.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

I have very fine, thin hair and if I don't have a perm it looks awful. It just hangs straight and limp. I really wish I didn't have to get perms, but I don't know what else to do with it to make it look better. My stylist said coloring would give it some thickness, but I don't think I want to get into that. I don't feel like going all the time to get it done, not to mention the cost. Besides, I like the color of my hair.

Hey, you do what you have to do to look good.

My mother has hair like yours and had to set it every night in bobby pins or rollers.

Before I'd do that, I'd perm for sure.

My hair is very fine but I have alot of it. I get blunt cuts and that helps.

Maybe you should try a different cut for your hair?

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

I discuss this often with my best friend who has a perm 3 times a year. She knows it's out of style but it really is becoming to her.

My mom has had the same afro perm for 40 years. It's not easy to find someone who will do this for her.

Let's face it, for the older crowd perms are dated but many seniors look very attractive with their out-of-date hairstyles.

What are we going to do when we get to our 70's and beyond. Look the best we can or look in style?

 

[sharonW]

I get my hair permed and highlighted as well so it can
be very dry. I condition with every shampoo. My stylist
tries talking me out of the perm all the time but no way!!
I too have the very fine limp hair. As far as perm being
out of fashion, I blow my hair with a large brush so the
style is not curly but a smoother look, no one knows
I even have a perm! What I like about the perms is
it gives my hair a lot of body and I don't have to wash
it daily. Give up my perms...NEVER!!!! LOL

 

[HannaBelle]

I have coarse/frizzes hair.

I either have to flat iorn, hot roll or perm my hair for it too look good. It varies from shoulder length to mid-back.

I hate to be conceded, but it looks great with a spiral perm. When I wear it curly, I only get it permed once every 18 months or so. I am a big fan of long curly hair!

 

[luvmylatte]

Yes I perm and yes it looks good. Many times people ask me if my hair has natural curl. Most important feel good about how you look. If it is a perm that makes you feel good and look good....GO FOR IT

 

[nmmom95]

I don't get perms anymore, but I had big, mall chick hair in the '80's!

 

[I Love Pluto]

If you feel best with a perm - then you should have a perm.

Feeling comfortable with your look is more important than the latest whatever.

Follow who you are, not what you think others want you to be.

Philosophy session is now over.

 

[barkley]

i have very fine hair and perm it regularly. there's a product on the market that my former hairdresser used on me that was great-did'nt make it overly curly or frizzy, just gave it the body it needed. it's called 'frog fur' it was developed for ultra fine hair, and apparantly is very popular for elderly women and children in beauty pagents.

 

[Green Tea]

The only people who I know perm are the over 80 crowd of my mother's friends.

 

[Bevin]

They have a new perm called a digital perm that ends up looking nothing like a regular perm. From the pictures I've seen, it gives a very loose, bouncy curl. Some ladies on the purse forum board have their pictures up under the Beauty Bar Board section.