Ladies, Are Any of You Really Happy With Your Perm...at First?

[Chattyaholic]

I just had my hair permed this morning. It was about shoulder length and I was just getting tired of having to blow it dry and curl it every day, so finally decided to "take the plunge" and have it permed. I had one about 4 years ago but wasn't real happy with it, so had to work up a lot of courage to try one again...

It's a lot curlier than I expected, and she trimmed it a bit too short so I'm not 100% pleased with it, but hopefully it will relax a little soon!!

At least I don't have to mess with the blow dryer and curling iron anymore for awhile though!!

 

[jipsy]

I haven't had my hair permed in years, but when I used to get it done, the first thing I did was wash it - that relaxes it a bit. In about a week I would be happy with it.

 

[d.kurz]

Mine relaxes quite a bit in the first couple of weeks so I have them curl it tightly. And I hate it for those 2 weeks, but I do it that way to get my money's worth out of it!!! And I love it afterward!

 

[PandyPaws]

Having really perm-resistant hair, I always have to have it curled real-real tight or it would never last. For a week or 2 I generally don't care for it, but after that it's great for a couple on months! If it was permed the usual way, or if I washed it right way, there would be nothing left of it in 2 weeks.

Give yourself some time to get used to it...and it will soften, I promise

 

[Buckalew]

My hair curls very easy but then it doesn't stay in well. My advice for you is to NOT wash it for 48hrs. (I hope your sylist recommended this also) I always want to wash mine and I have done both (washing and not washing right away) and I do believe that not washing helps it last. It never mattered to me because as a stylist the perm was free but since you probably paid very good $ for those curls I would wait the 2 days and then lightly shampoo it.
Are you wearing it curly? If you are, you can spritz it with water to help with any frizzies after you sleep on it.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Wait the 2 days to wash it. It took me forever to find one I was really happy with...purple and green rods. Yeaaa! I'm always happier when it loosens up a little.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

I have a bit of natural curl and have been debating over perming to get control of it. I take a perm well and keep it for a long time (nearly a year depending how often I go for a trim). I prefer to wash right away, but I would suggest not since it had been a long while since you've permed. Give it a day or two to set, wash and style gently. I'm sure that in a week or two you'll be pleased with the results. If not, it's only hair- have it cut in to a new style. Best of luck that you'll like it when you get used to the new look.

 

[Michelle]

Yes, my hair is very fine and stick straight and the perm gives me the body to be able to style it. It's not curly at ALL when it's styled, it just adds fullness to my hair. My stylist does an outstanding job with perms and I always love them from day one.

 

[Serena]

This is my first perm. It's okay, but I would like my hair back. Oh well, now I know.

If I do this again, I'd definitely have the front not quite so curly. The back is fine, frankly, it looks like my hair did before the perm. The same pieces of hair that never curled, didn't with the perm either. lol My hair has a mind of it's own.

 

[Tuffcookie]

I have learned to get my hair permed about 2-3 weeks away from when I really want it look good. That way I've had time to wash it and have it relax a bit. Then I go back 2 weeks after the perm and have it shaped and the ends trimmed.

TC

 

[browneyes]

I love the way my hair feels when it first gets permed. I got a perm in early December, it was really curly. I went to SUPER DUPER straight to extremely curly. It's relaxed a lot now. It's wavy now. But after what I paid for the last one, I may never get a perm again.

 

[Chattyaholic]

Yes, she did tell me not to wash it for a couple of days but that I could spritz it with water to freshen it up. My DD came down last night and touched it and said I felt just like a poodle!
I hope I will like it after a week or so. Thankfully I don't have to go to work until Friday.

 

[Sharby]

I don't really like perms at first.

But last time, I got a drugstore brand 'straightening balm'. After rinsing my hair in the shower, I applied it to my damp hair and then blow dried it gently while tugging/pulling/stretching it gently into place. It definitely wasn't as curly then. Even after I could wash it - I used this product for a couple of weeks. There's various brands - L'Oreal, etc. HTH

 

[DebbieB]

I got a perm on Saturday, I know how you feel. My hair is totally straight without one. I get one about every 4 months with 2 cuts in between. I hate it the first week, then it relaxes. I don't wash for about 72 hours but rinsing it with clear water is OK, helps get the smell out and relaxes it a little. Saturday night my head was so itchy, I rinsed it with clear water and it helped.

 

[Pembo]

I always regret my perm for the first week or so. I also always rinse it everyday for the first week or so. I usually shampoo about the 2nd day. I could never wait 72 hours.

I too have a straight spot in the back and the front is always too curly. Never satisfied!

My cure for hating my perm is to pull it into a french braid. It stays so much better when the perm is fresh.

Hang in there. Also if it is frizzy at all, I love the Frizz-Ease products by John Frieda. You can get them at Target-type stores. They are expensive IMHO but they make my hair very soft.

Good luck..............