Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
In the period of four months, I had a perm, colored it a dark brown color, then changed my mind, had bleach and put in it to give me blonde highlights. I just recently went back to brown all over color. I am sticking with the all over brown color. From the perm and stripping of the color for the blonde highlights, my hair feels super fried.
Former cosmetologist, here. At this point, nothing you do is going to roll back the damage. Too much has been done. Go to a stylist, get most of the damaged hair cut off, get a reconstruction treatment on what is left to buy time as it grows out. Get regular trims until all the damage has been cut off. Then, you can consider growing it back out.
I got my hair permed about a year and a half ago or more, it turned out great, and was very healthy. I have never put any chemicals or dyes in it, but over the last few months it gets completely dry, where it feels crackly, and it frizzes so much that even if I straighten it, it looks as if I have been struck by lightening. The perm is out on the top, but it still has small frizzy curls down the rest of the way. The whole bottom continually gets dead ends and snaps off. Is there anything I can do about it? Is there anyway the perm will come out? Should I cut it off?
By Elise. V.H
Perms eventually grow out, continue to trim off fried and frizzy ends a bit at a time. Seems like you need to either get the perm done professionally or avoid perms until your hair is extra healthy.
I'm 54 years old and box color my hair about every six weeks. I went to a salon and told them I wanted a spiral perm. My hair was down to the middle of my back at that time. The perm did not turn out good, the hairstylist put mouse and hairspray on it while it was wet and said it would curl up when it dried.
After getting home my hair dried and there was no curl, just fizz and matted ends. The next day I went back and showed the manager my hair. She said let's wash it and cut 2 inches off and that should give you more wave because the rods that were used were too big. So again they sent me home with wet hair, again when it dried no curl, just fizz and matted ends. Now I'm going back tomorrow and get my 95 dollars back. So what can I do to fix this mess on my head ?
By Sharon from Batavia, OH
Tell the stylist that you want the perm process reversed. Spiral perms should be outlawed. My daughter had one done when she was 13. She had beautiful long hair with a natural curl. After the spiral perm we couldn't even get a brush through the mess. She ended up having to get her hair cut short and let it grow out. Good luck
I just went to a beauty school to get a "loose perm" and I showed them a picture of what I wanted. They said the curls would be a tiny bit tighter than those, but they would loosen up after 2 or 3 washes. So I said okay. And they did it and once it was done it looked horrible. It was all matted up and my blonde streaks looked horribly damaged. I attempted to brush it out a tad bit and it just got even more frizzy.
When I got home I decided to wash it out and it looks fine when it's wet, but once it dried the curls go away and my hair is left as a frizzy mess. I don't know what to do. The perm didn't even turn out at first and my hair is beyond damaged. I pretty much paid $40 for damaged hair that makes me look like a poodle. What can I do to make my hair healthier?By kasey Okstad
You should return to the school, ask to speak with a supervisor or trainer, describe your problem (and include the picture) and request they improve your hair's current condition to it's former state.
Then, if you prefer, they should provide a new perm with good results.
I had a perm and it did not work. My hair is frizzy and dry like wool. It takes a long time to dry and then it is lank and dull. Is this because of my medication or due to an over processed perm?
By Sandra
When I had long hair my regular hairdresser would not not do a "wave" until 4 weeks after I had surgery. He said the anesthesia and antibiotics could have effect on my hair for that length of time.
Not sure about other medications but friends have told me they believe their blood pressure medication affected their hair.
I take a biotin supplement and it has made a big difference in the texture of my hair and also I no longer lose a brush full of hair everyday. Results take several months but it has been worth it to me.
I got my hair permed curly about two weeks ago and now my hair keeps falling out. What can I do to stop it from falling? I desperately need help!
By Melissa from Ottawa, ON
The first thing you should do is go back to the hairdresser. It sounds as if your hair has been burned by the perming solution. Is it falling out roots and all or is it just breaking off at the scalp?
On March 30th of this year I permed my hair. I left a perm on too long so when I washed it out it was falling out. Now I'm trying to wear weave and braids so my hair can grow back, but the glue just messed up my hair more so now I don't really know what to do. Is there anyway it can grow back faster or could I use a hairstyle to grow it back? Please help. (p.s. I am black)
By Chanese A. from Phoenix, AZ
Hair grows about 1/2 an inch a month. There is nothing you can do to make it grow faster. I would get a good cut on the hair that you have, and just be patient.
I got a perm in my cosmetology class and instead of actually curling it just frizzed up and broke off. It's been a couple weeks since I got the perm and I've been doing deep conditioning treatments at least once a week.
How can I fix this?I would speak to the head of the school. There is something called a reverse perm. Hopefully that will help your hair recover.
My hair was permanently straightened and I used to go for touch ups after every 3-4 inches of new hair growth. I continued this process for almost 3 and a half years, from early 2010 till late 2012, as straightening gave shine and softness to my naturally dry, rough, and wavy hair. In between these 3 years I even colored my hair magenta red from root to tip in streaks. The color has now taken the shade of honey brown and is still there for about 40% of my hair from the tip.
Since the year 2013 I did not do anything to my hair chemically; only some cuts twice or thrice. Now that the straightening and color have grown out half the way down and my natural hair had reached half the way from the root towards the tip, it has a shabby look. So I decided to perm my hair.
I permed my hair on February 16, 2015. After this perm my hair has become utterly rough, dry, frizzy, and messy and the colored tips are burnt. The perm has also gotten washed out from around 30% of my straightened hair with just the first wash. Though I am not experiencing any hair fall right now; I feel very embarrassed to go to work with such a state of my hair and I am not really liking this perm on my hair.
Please help me. It would be really kind if you can suggest something with which I can get my normal hair back as soon as possible or at least I can nourish my hair and restore some softness.
What I thought could be a possible remedy is that I iron my hair with a straightener just as a temporary setting and leave it for a day or two and then wash it. Will this help me to get rid of the perm? Or if you can suggest something to reverse the perm effect without damaging my hair any further.
Please help!
By Shabana
Hi, Shabana,
Sorry to hear about your difficulties, but have you considered talking to a salon professional for advice?
In the meantime, before you decide on anything, check Google for styling tips on how to wear your hair attractively tied back or braided?
From personal experience, I can tell you that going ultra-short is very fun and hair grows back quickly. Last, not least, please consider investigating home-made conditioners? Egg yolks, for instance, are just great for additing nutrients.
Best of luck,
Rose Anne
Try wen cleansing conditioner. This will help rejuvenate your hair. It's pricey but you'll like how healthy your hair will look and feel.
I have had extensive damage from a perm as you described. If you can find "Infusion" (usually found on the bottom shelves), I guarantee it will help. There are two or three (or more) Infusion products. Get the one for damaged hair. It won't clear it up immediately but you'll notice the difference right away. I've had to use it twice and I swear by it.
I got my hair permed. The perm didn't take the first time so I waited a month, colored it, and waited 3 more weeks before my new perm. Now my hair is a mess. When dry it's manageable, but frizzy when wet. I am very upset I feel and look like Bozo the clown.
I was told to try hot oil therapy and intense moisturizing treatment will this work to help manage the craziness. I'm embarrassed to go out in public with my hair the way it is.
I had a perm on Friday and the day after it was frizzy and felt like straw. I had to wet it and same the day after that. What should I do to make it soft and curly? Thanks.
I let this chick perm my hair, something I don't ever do, and she used 2 of the chemicals that you are supposed to use just 1 per kit. And now my hair is slowly falling out. What can I do to stop the breakage? Every time I comb it I get wads of hair. Please help.
By Tylisha
Get a good hair cut. The hair is damaged and there is no way to save it except start all over. Go to hair cuttery which has good prices on hair procedures or find a school that trains hair dressers-a beauty school and you can find good deals on hair procedures. It is very important that you get a professional hair cut so it will grow out evenly and the damaged hair will be completely removed.
I had the same problem until a friend told me to use "Infusium23". It is a leave in treatment. It comes in a gray plastic bottle, black top. I have used this for years, as it leaves my hair soft.
I just had a perm. and used it. I don't even have to curl my hair anymore as this problem makes me look like I have natural curly hair. Now all I do is wash, and use this product, and on my way out the door. I hope this helps you. Walmart sells it as well as all drug stores.
roadrouse AT yahoo.com
I tried this ApHogee protein product that can be bought at Sally's. It's a two step application.
Please be careful when using the Protein Treatment as you will find that your hair will be very stiff. This is for professionals only. Sit under a hair dryer for about 20 minutes. Don't touch it or put a bonnet on your head. Carefully rinse your hair and then put The Balancing Moisturizer on it. Keep it on for 2 minutes and then rinse out. You will finally have real hair again. Good luck.
I would also stop using a comb or brush on your hair, especially when it's wet. Condition it in the shower, don't rub it to dry it. Apply a leave-in and try to just use your fingers.
If I am thinking you are saying what you are saying, then I know what you mean. I did this once by accident to my hair. I used the perm on only half of my hair and it practically dissolved the hair. There is no way to fix it if it is as bad as I think it is. Get a really short hair cut and start over again. You could check with the salon where you get your hair cut and make sure there is not a way to save it. Live and learn! :)
I got a perm two weeks ago. I did everything I was instructed to do by my hairdresser. After I shower my hair looks great, the next day it goes kinda straight so I spray water on it, scrunch it, and add a little hairspray and it looks like I stuck my finger in a lightsocket and it's extremely frizzy.
After the 3rd day it looks limp and I repeat. I was told to wash it every few days. So my question is, am I not playing enough with my hair in between washes, you know I mean scrunching it enough?I bleached my hair 3 months ago and then dyed it 4 times after that, as my hair was looking yellow and I didn't like it at all. Then today I asked my aunt who is a hair dresser to perm my hair to make it curly, but after the 10 minutes that perm was left on my head, my long hair burnt. My hair didn't get dry after 6 hours so I had to use a dryer and straightener to make it look better as it totally looks like wool on my head.
Please help me, I don't know what I can do. The only way I found was to cut my hair a little and use straightener to straighten my hair a little bit and tie it back. Is my hair going to fall out later?
By Sasha
I don't know about your hair falling out, but it has been over processed too many times in too short of time period. If your aunt is a hair stylist she should have know that. In my 74 years I have been to numerous hair stylists and they all say the same thing, you have to wait a certain period of time in between doing the different processes.
Being I no longer color or perm my hair I can't remember the time frame, but I do know you have done too much to your hair in too short of time. The first stylist that told me this was my sister, and I didn't quite believe her because she tends to be quite opinionated, so the next time I went to beauty shop I asked the stylist that was doing my hair, and she agreed with what my sister had said. Even students in the beauty schools say the same thing.
I don't think you hair will fall out from over processing but stress can make your hair fall out. Since you seem to be overly stressed about your hair problems, if it falls out stress may be the cause. (learned this from a hairdresser years ago) Your hair has been so overly processed I doubt that you can fix it.
Some really good deep conditioners may help it look better, you might even try some natural ones that use raw eggs and mayonaise, I think. Never tried that as I don't process my hair any more. But I think you are fighting a losing battle and really need to cut it really short and keep it short until you have cut off all of the overprocessed hair and then start over. And talk to a reputable hairdresser about different processing - everything you have done has and is causing severe damage. Good luck.
Wow, that was way too much chemical exposure in a very short time. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but your hair is over-processed, and there's not much you can do to turn back from that kind of damage.
The only things you can do for now is have a keratin conditioning treatment, and keep moisture in your hair, with a moisturizing conditioner. Keep getting it trimmed frequently to get rid of the bad ends. Treat it gently, wear it in styles which won't use much tension or heat, such as a slightly loose ponytail or some sort of bun.
Even a tiny amount of a liquid hair oil will help as a styling aid. Minimize brushing, and no brushing while wet. Comb gently with a comb with fairly large teeth, and minimize combing while wet; finger detangle as much as possible. All that being said, even though your hair won't fall out from your scalp, it will likely break off between the new growth and the processed hair as it grows out.
Once there is enough breakage to make it look bad, go ahead and get a nice haircut to get rid of the damaged hair. All the tips I gave you will just help to keep your length on your head as long as possible, so you have time to accumulate some new growth, so your new cut won't have to be so short.
Next time you bleach your hair, if you plan to perm it, have the same stylist do both, as the stylist should know how far apart to space the chemical services. Alternately if you decide to just bleach your hair on your own and not get a perm, if it is too yellow go to a beauty supply and ask for a violet-based toner and tips how to use it: a violet-based toner will neutralize the yellow in one or two applications, without further damaging your hair-toners are meant to be used with bleached hair to alter the undertones without completely changing the color away from blonde. Good luck!
Information sources: 10 years of cosmetology career.
I had a home perm 8 months ago. I have lost 10 inches of hair due to breakage. I don't feel like it's getting better. My hair is dry all the time and feels like straw. I have been using hair masks and protein treatments, and homemade treatments for 8 months and it hardly makes a difference.
Is there anything I can do? I feel like it's always gonna be like thisA few months ago I got a perm. It was great the first 2 or 3 days, but after I washed it, it lost all texture. Now when I wash it, some hair falls out when brushing and while dry. I have to keep gel or mousse in it which makes my hair feel greasy and nasty, and it doesn't have the same texture and shine to it as it use to.
I need a good shampoo and conditioner to get rid of the damage. Any good products?I need advice for bleached and permed hair damage. I went for my every three month hair highlight when I decided to go blonde from brown. The stylist sold me some leave in keratin and chi oil and I went home. When I got home it looked orange. She said she had already used 6 solutions so we waited a week and did again.
I am a person that uses several different styling hair products and about three different shampoos are in my bathroom at any given time. Since it looked orange I bought some John Frieda lightening conditioner. I went back to stylist and she redid it saying we needed it one more time to fully lift.
The next time I went which was a month later for roots she said that if I wanted a perm at all this summer it had to be done that day because can't color over perm. I did this.
When she took off rods she started yelling at me that I had a film on hair from the lye in the Frieda or the shampoo choices I made and I may lose all my hair because of it. She gave me two clarifying masks to lift the film and olaplex treatment.
It is three days later and my hair won't dry for hours and feels like rubber at the roots and crown and complete straw everywhere else.
She told me that if I use any product but it's a 10 it will not work out for me.
I am on a very limited budget and paid her 160 so there is not a lot left. I did buy the 10 miracle mask and am getting coconut oil to try to sleep in.
Will my hair fall out? I am sick and scared. Oh yeah. She said that if we had done the bleach root instead of perm it would have fallen out for sure.
My hair is fine and baby soft. The perm was given under a hair dryer and as a result I have frizz, especially on the top and it is also on the thin side. What can I do to correct this?
By Catherine
I have previously had my hair stripped, like 6 months ago, and had two perms done to my hair within the space of a month or so. It is now two months later and I have only just realised that I have hair that has broken off and left about an inch from my scalp. I am so worried and I am crying everyday :(. I have spoken to a trichologist and they have booked me into an appointment to get all the chemicals used in the perm out of my hair, as this may not have been washed out properly when it was done.
Can someone please tell me whether you have experienced this, or whether you know if more of my hair will eventually fall out? Would this have happened straight after or will I be expecting more severe breakage?By Victoria
Basically you did too many chemical processes to your hair within a short time. I have a sister that is a retired beautician and she always told people how long to wait between various chemical treatments, especially the people that did "DIY" processes.
I can tell you what will fix your hair. First, get ALL the chemicals out. Then start using Organix conditioner. I use the coconut and my my mom uses the macadamia nut. It is available at Wal-Mart and has saved our hair.
Hers was thinning and breaking due to stress, a medication she was taking, and very hard well water. Mine was breaking off every time I brushed it due to stress and arid climate. I started using the Organix and then made sure she started using it. Now both of our hair has recovered. Mine is soft and shiny and hers has gotten long again and wavy. You should definitely try it with a really gentle shampoo.
I had my first perm in the beginning of February, so it's been about 8 months. At this point it's in the transition of "loosening up" or "expiring." My hair is naturally thick and harder to perm, according to my stylist, because I have Asian hair. Apparently most Asian hair doesn't work well with perms? Is this true? The first 4-5 months I would follow the routine of deep conditioning every week, rinsing with cold water, shampooing 1-2 times every week, and moisturizing my hair with natural oils and products. I don't use a lot of products in my hair because it gets oily and frizzy, so if any of you ladies out there know a good natural brand for frizzy hair, please help!
Up until my 7th month mark I began to feel super frustrated with the fuzziness of my curls! And I know perms don't last that long, but at my 8th month mark, what can I do to help heal my hair? I want to maintain the curls and the frizz as best as I can.
What happens now? I've had my wonderful experience with a curly perm, but what do I do now that it's been 8 months and my hair not really cooperating with this routine? I would love to put my hair down again without worrying about how horrendous the curls look, but lately I've been side-braiding it or wearing it in a bun. I want the va-va-voom back, now I am struggling with the womp-womp-womp.
Ladies, if you've got any tips at all, Please help!
By Lila D.
