Getting a permanent wave or curl can be some people’s dreams! However, some people end up with a permanent problem instead. Luckily, there are many different ways that someone can get rid of a perm.
A person can remove a perm they hate by shampooing it and applying a heavy, deep conditioner within the first few days of getting it. If a person has had the perm for longer than a few days, the next best method is to go to a salon and get the hair chemically straightened.
These are just two of the many methods people use to remove a perm. There are many details that people should be aware of before attempting to remove a perm. Removing a perm can also be done in a variety of ways, all of which need to be explored.
Related Article: Different Types of Perms
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Things to Know About Getting Rid of a Perm
There are quite a few things that people should consider before getting a perm or redoing a bad perm. Many people who get a perm might do it because they want bouncy, natural-looking waves or curls. However, this may not be a realistic expectation, as some hair takes better to the perm treatment than others. There are many different reasons why a perm can go badly that are not attributed to an error on any person’s part.
The first reason is the client’s hair is not in a good place to be chemically treated. If a person routinely dyes their hair, especially with box dyes, the chemicals might react badly with the previous treatment. Also, adding a perm right after the hair was dyed, even when it was done professionally, can wreck a perm. Hair is resilient, but even the strongest and thickest strands take a bad hit when it goes through two incredibly strong chemical reactions, especially when they are applied within a short period of time.
Another reason a perm might have gone badly is that the client’s hair was already damaged, and adding the chemicals needed to make a perm caused more damage. This might make what would have been a decent perm look dry, frizzy, and hard to manage. It can also be something as simple as the medications someone is taking, their hormone levels, or their overall health.
Being aware of the reason why a perm went badly can help a person choose the best removal method for their hair.
How to Get Rid of a Perm You Hate
The most effective method for getting rid of a perm is to shampoo and deep condition the hair within a few days of getting a perm. This method is effective because it washes away the chemicals before they have a chance to sink into the root and change the natural bonds of a person’s hair to create lasting curls.
Conditioner also helps in two ways. Conditioner is usually pretty heavy on the hair and can weigh down curls until they become straight. It also helps combat the damage the perm will have caused. Perms are known for drying out hair, so conditioners should tackle the problem at the root and help minimize the damage.
If it has been longer than a few days since you got the perm and a person has washed it, the next step is to decide whether or not to chemically straighten it. Something important to note about chemically straightening hair is that it is a nearly identical process to the perm, just utilized in a different way. By going back to a salon and getting the hair chemically straightened, you will be rest assured that the perm will no longer curl your hair.
However, there is going to be a significant amount of damage. It is also important to make sure that the hairstylist uses ammonium thioglycolate on the client’s hair. If they use a straightening treatment that has sodium in it, the chemicals will react in such a way that the hair will break where it was applied.
How to Get Rid of a Perm Without Damaging Your Hair
This is an age-old question simply because perms are a chemical process, and a person doesn’t want to completely wreck their hair. The simplest method to get rid of a perm without damaging the hair is to cut the permed section off. This is usually not the first resort, as many do a perm on their whole head of hair and do not feel comfortable with a short haircut. However, it is the most effective.
There are some people who claim that getting a hot oil treatment can remove a perm due to the fact that it weighs down the hair and can reduce the damage done to the hair. However, it is usually only a temporary solution, as the oil washes out and the chemicals still remain.
Additional Methods to Get Rid of a Perm
Luckily, there are a few different methods that people can look into if none of the previous methods work or align with a person’s desires for their hair. People have many more temporary options to help them until they grow their hair out long enough to feel comfortable with a cut or redo.
One of these is a straightening spray. Another is to blow dry the hair straight after a shower or to straighten the hair with hot tools daily. Blow drying and straightening can both seem to be damaging, but in comparison to getting it chemically straightened, the little bit of damage the heat will cause is insignificant. There are also protective sprays and products people can apply to their hair to avoid excessive heat damage. While these are only temporary solutions, they can help improve the confidence of the person while they wait for it to grow out or until it is safer to chemically straighten it.
Another no-heat option is to find naturally curly hairstyle tutorials on the internet. I have naturally curly hair, and there are many days when I do not enjoy the curl pattern. On these days, I twist it back or do a hairstyle that enhances the texture without showing off waves I don’t appreciate. It is worth a shot for people who don’t have the time to straighten their hair every day.
Now that you understand all of the different methods you can use to get rid of a perm, you will be able to feel empowered to try the best method for you.