PDA

View Full Version : Should I get a perm?



snowyx
February 1st, 2015, 10:01 AM
Hello everyone,

I have been debating getting a perm on and off for about two years now. I would only want the ends curled (about 3-4 inces or so). I know it is damaging, but I would really like to hear your opinions.

Thank you,

snowyx

Eastbound&Down
February 1st, 2015, 10:05 AM
If you are willing to possibly lose those inches then I say go for it. I've had a perm before and as long as you take care of it and maybe even do weekly oil treatments it can look very nice :)

Seeshami
February 1st, 2015, 10:19 AM
No. They still require work and upkeep to look right it's not magically going to make your ends always have curls

lapushka
February 1st, 2015, 10:20 AM
I had one more than a few years ago. My hair was shoulder length then. I grew the perm out and grew it all the way to hip all while it was riddled with white dots (yes from the perm and from damage incurred due to the perm). At hip, we started a major S&D session that halved the thickness of my hair and so it had to be cut back to BSL.

I say, if you're prepared for the damage, go for it. Ultimately, I think it's not worth it. Rather learn to work with your own texture (which is wavy already). You might get it to be wavier using great techniques and following the curly girl method.

snowyx
February 1st, 2015, 10:37 AM
I had one more than a few years ago. My hair was shoulder length then. I grew the perm out and grew it all the way to hip all while it was riddled with white dots (yes from the perm and from damage incurred due to the perm). At hip, we started a major S&D session that halved the thickness of my hair and so it had to be cut back to BSL.

I say, if you're prepared for the damage, go for it. Ultimately, I think it's not worth it. Rather learn to work with your own texture (which is wavy already). You might get it to be wavier using great techniques and following the curly girl method.

Thank you. Unfortunately, my waves die down throughout the week. I don't know how to preserve the waviness, especially after I wear my hair up or sleep on it. My hair texture is forgiving, though. If I comb it with a wide tooth comb while wet or damp, it will dry to a 1b. This is how I usually wear my hair. I have tried the curly girl method, but it did not seem to help with wave or curl.
I love curly hair, but I am afraid that if my wish comes true and the last inches will be curly, I will not know how to care for them and it will create damage. My hair is not damaged at the moment, and I do deep oilings once or twice every week (depending when I wash).

snowyx
February 1st, 2015, 10:38 AM
If you are willing to possibly lose those inches then I say go for it. I've had a perm before and as long as you take care of it and maybe even do weekly oil treatments it can look very nice :)

What did you do to care for your perm? How did you style/wear it? Thank you!

Eastbound&Down
February 1st, 2015, 10:53 AM
What did you do to care for your perm? How did you style/wear it? Thank you!

I don't know if my hair is a unicorn that can take crazy damage but I don't remember having very much damage from the perm. I washed every couple days and put gel in it.. however now I know so much more and I would say if you can Co wash and oil instead of gel and DTs weekly

LauraLongLocks
February 1st, 2015, 10:54 AM
No, you should not get a perm if you want to grow your hair longer.

jacqueline101
February 1st, 2015, 11:01 AM
Take it from someone whose had several of them don't do it. You have to budget for upkeep, you'd have to baby the ends, and maybe do oil sessions and heavy duty pampering. The perm can cause damage to the ends if you get someone that's not good at them damage to your roots.

Fericera
February 1st, 2015, 11:01 AM
Well, that's dependent on what you want more. If you're willing to stay at the length you are for a few years, then go for it, experimenting can be fun! If you're wanting to gain length however, I'd recommend against it. The ends are the most fragile part of your hair and will need too frequent of trims and upkeep to grow much.

Have you tried wetting the ends of your hair every night and putting rollers in? That would give fresh, perfect curls every morning and involve minimal effort.

Anje
February 1st, 2015, 11:10 AM
In general, I'd agree that it's not worth it. Though if you do just your ends, at least you wouldn't be dealing with different-texture roots growing out and possibly re-perming the hair, which makes the damage considerably worse.

Have you tried rag curling the ends overnight when you want to get this effect? Similar effect, minimal problems.


Thank you. Unfortunately, my waves die down throughout the week. I don't know how to preserve the waviness, especially after I wear my hair up or sleep on it.

I think this is true for most folks with wavier or curly hair. The curlies I know like to wash when they want a curl refresh, or at least will moisten their hair (mist it, smooth water + conditioner through, etc.) to reset the curls into formed ringlets.

TrapperCreekD
February 1st, 2015, 12:54 PM
If you're really, really prepared for the resulting damage and are fine with probably taking off the permed length at some point, I'd say go for it! Caring for two different textures can be challenging, though, especially when it's healthy waves alongside *damaged* curls.

Have you tried spritzing your hair with water/diluted conditioner and scrunching to refresh your waves?

lapushka
February 1st, 2015, 01:48 PM
Thank you. Unfortunately, my waves die down throughout the week. I don't know how to preserve the waviness, especially after I wear my hair up or sleep on it. My hair texture is forgiving, though. If I comb it with a wide tooth comb while wet or damp, it will dry to a 1b. This is how I usually wear my hair. I have tried the curly girl method, but it did not seem to help with wave or curl.
I love curly hair, but I am afraid that if my wish comes true and the last inches will be curly, I will not know how to care for them and it will create damage. My hair is not damaged at the moment, and I do deep oilings once or twice every week (depending when I wash).

It's normal for waves to do that. That's the nature of curly hair, and you'll have it with your perm as well. Perms aren't static, they move along with you just like your natural texture.

chen bao jun
February 1st, 2015, 01:54 PM
Even actual curls die down during week. I have 3c curls, which is afro curly and they go flat by day 5 (I stretch washes because Im lazy and just wear a bun)

Don't do it

MeowScat
February 1st, 2015, 01:57 PM
I don't think you should do it. If you want curly ends, braid them (rope braids make pretty wavies/curlies) put rollers in, rag curls, etc. The Nautilus Bun gives nice curls, too. Check out YouTube videos for heatless curling. I've had many, many perms. They're a nightmare!

Carolyn
February 1st, 2015, 02:02 PM
In a few words...OMG NO! Don't do it. Your ends will be damaged and frizzy. You can take excellent care of your hair and that's very likely to happen. Try some rag curls as suggested and when they give up wear your hair in a bun or braid until you want to wash it again.

Echileruwen
February 1st, 2015, 02:09 PM
Another no to the perm. The damage will stay long after the curls are gone.

DreamSheep
February 1st, 2015, 03:08 PM
I would've thought the curls would flatten out over the week or from bunning even in a perm.
That said, I do not have a perm/have no experience.

However, there are very nice heatless methods for experimenting and trying out, which can switch things up (though I think if you did perm the ends, having a mix of textures may be hard to take care of!).
I made a topic a while back on heatless rope braid curls, and other members use rag curl methods or other braiding techniques that can curl your hair.
Especially if it is just your ends you want to curl, by just dampening your ends and rope braiding, you can probably achieve the look you want minus a lot of damage. :)

:flower:

However, ultimately your hair and what you want, so whichever path you choose, I hope you enjoy it ^.^

snowyx
February 1st, 2015, 03:15 PM
I would've thought the curls would flatten out over the week or from bunning even in a perm.
That said, I do not have a perm/have no experience.

However, there are very nice heatless methods for experimenting and trying out, which can switch things up (though I think if you did perm the ends, having a mix of textures may be hard to take care of!).
I made a topic a while back on heatless rope braid curls, and other members use rag curl methods or other braiding techniques that can curl your hair.
Especially if it is just your ends you want to curl, by just dampening your ends and rope braiding, you can probably achieve the look you want minus a lot of damage. :)

:flower:

However, ultimately your hair and what you want, so whichever path you choose, I hope you enjoy it ^.^

Thank you for the kind message, DreemSheep. Perming only the ends of hair is actually much more popular than I thought. It is called "digital perming". I think I will stick to heatless curling methods. It is nice to be able to decide between straight or wavy every time I wash. Since I want to keep growing my hair, it is best if I treat my hair as gently as possible. So I have decided not to perm.

Thank you everyone for your comments!!

Nightshade
February 1st, 2015, 03:29 PM
If I do this updo:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9VLUb_-d9pI/UyMvMlfR5GI/AAAAAAAAGtI/0nht4q4Xw0Y/s512/Amethyst-Ficcare-2.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9VLUb_-d9pI/UyMvMlfR5GI/AAAAAAAAGtI/0nht4q4Xw0Y/s512/Amethyst-Ficcare-2.jpg

I wind up with perfectly curled ends:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OuyEJLzcnCA/VEfCcBUQNqI/AAAAAAAAKPA/oh8cx09hfBM/s512/10-21-2014-2.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dD4EXsT8eTE/VEfCcTB8dQI/AAAAAAAAKPE/FgXmBXLtCQE/s512/10-21-2014-3.jpg

Otherwise my waves tend to look more like this:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WXVvUOZ1DCo/UtVKOtiSsLI/AAAAAAAAGKQ/IZmYWxcFvlI/s512/5-30-09.jpg

Here's the steps

1- https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-b...512/Step-1.jpg

2- https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-i...512/Step-2.jpg

3- https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8...512/Step-3.jpg

4- https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Y...512/Step-4.jpg

5- https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j...512/Step-6.jpg

6- https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-g...512/Step-5.jpg

7- https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-H...512/Step-7.jpg

Essentially it's a log roll with a loop at the top, then you pin the loop down with 3 amish pins or two spin pins. Takes about 3 minutes to do. Do it damp, let it dry and the curls last for me all day.

Sarahlabyrinth
February 1st, 2015, 03:42 PM
If I do this updo:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9VLUb_-d9pI/UyMvMlfR5GI/AAAAAAAAGtI/0nht4q4Xw0Y/s512/Amethyst-Ficcare-2.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9VLUb_-d9pI/UyMvMlfR5GI/AAAAAAAAGtI/0nht4q4Xw0Y/s512/Amethyst-Ficcare-2.jpg

I wind up with perfectly curled ends:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OuyEJLzcnCA/VEfCcBUQNqI/AAAAAAAAKPA/oh8cx09hfBM/s512/10-21-2014-2.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dD4EXsT8eTE/VEfCcTB8dQI/AAAAAAAAKPE/FgXmBXLtCQE/s512/10-21-2014-3.jpg

Otherwise my waves tend to look more like this:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WXVvUOZ1DCo/UtVKOtiSsLI/AAAAAAAAGKQ/IZmYWxcFvlI/s512/5-30-09.jpg

Here's the steps

1- https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-b...512/Step-1.jpg

2- https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-i...512/Step-2.jpg

3- https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8...512/Step-3.jpg

4- https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Y...512/Step-4.jpg

5- https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j...512/Step-6.jpg

6- https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-g...512/Step-5.jpg

7- https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-H...512/Step-7.jpg

Essentially it's a log roll with a loop at the top, then you pin the loop down with 3 amish pins or two spin pins. Takes about 3 minutes to do. Do it damp, let it dry and the curls last for me all day.

Your log roll and loose curls look beautiful, Nightshade. Unfortunately I cannot see your how-to photos....

lapushka
February 1st, 2015, 03:45 PM
Your log roll and loose curls look beautiful, Nightshade. Unfortunately I cannot see your how-to photos....

It's gorgeous & me neither. The links don't work. :(

Nightshade
February 1st, 2015, 03:46 PM
Your log roll and loose curls look beautiful, Nightshade. Unfortunately I cannot see your how-to photos....

Oh strange. Here they are :)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bvPszl06PzA/UcHzIxuwpjI/AAAAAAAAFAg/24SdAU_FcTA/s512/Step-1.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ifO8U5QmS2s/UcHzI4dYMcI/AAAAAAAAFAo/OmkjE3pqkpo/s512/Step-2.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-89W_V6XPEbY/UcHzI7o7XjI/AAAAAAAAFAs/KRJKjeOv-gY/s512/Step-3.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YG_P4IWGzqc/UcHzJUVbjmI/AAAAAAAAFA0/SKBqupzHaIE/s512/Step-4.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jpmbr2JsVqk/UcHzJr0gKmI/AAAAAAAAFA8/L6889mW47tg/s512/Step-6.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gDrIQiDKd7s/UcHzJ2ed5rI/AAAAAAAAFBE/T-v5ShkbMxI/s512/Step-5.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HxOe56sFPFA/UcHzJ6UJfhI/AAAAAAAAFBI/pksHN-2pqEo/s512/Step-7.jpg

The curls at the end come from wrapping the ends around the twisted part :) You could do this just as a twist without the poofy bit on top, too.

lapushka
February 1st, 2015, 04:07 PM
Yep, those I can see! Thanks, Nightshade. Didn't these come from an article on that bun? :hmm:

Nightshade
February 1st, 2015, 04:08 PM
Yep! It was an article on the old site :)

DreamSheep
February 1st, 2015, 04:30 PM
Thank you for the kind message, DreemSheep. Perming only the ends of hair is actually much more popular than I thought. It is called "digital perming". I think I will stick to heatless curling methods. It is nice to be able to decide between straight or wavy every time I wash. Since I want to keep growing my hair, it is best if I treat my hair as gently as possible. So I have decided not to perm.

Thank you everyone for your comments!!

You're very welcome! :)

NightShade's method is good too! :)
I find once an updo has enough extra hair you can just wind the ends around, it produces a delicate curl pattern at the end. :)

BTW, this is the thread I made on Rope braid curls if it interests you - to curl just the ends you would only need to do the very ends on damp hair, so should be very little effort. :)
Rope Braid Curls! From straightie-wavy to wavy-curly! [PICS] (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=128996)

snowyx
February 1st, 2015, 04:35 PM
Wow :thudpile: Your hair is absolutely incredible, Nightshade. Do you think this style can be done on BSL hair? It makes your ends curl beautifully. Thank you for sharing this hairstyle!

snowyx
February 1st, 2015, 04:36 PM
You're very welcome! :)

NightShade's method is good too! :)
I find once an updo has enough extra hair you can just wind the ends around, it produces a delicate curl pattern at the end. :)

BTW, this is the thread I made on Rope braid curls if it interests you - to curl just the ends you would only need to do the very ends on damp hair, so should be very little effort. :)
Rope Braid Curls! From straightie-wavy to wavy-curly! [PICS] (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=128996)

Thank you, Dreamsheep. I will definitely try this style.

Nightshade
February 1st, 2015, 04:40 PM
Wow :thudpile: Your hair is absolutely incredible, Nightshade. Do you think this style can be done on BSL hair? It makes your ends curl beautifully. Thank you for sharing this hairstyle!

I'm not sure about BSL,but when I was about there I got a similar effect using the Equilibrium Bun. It's one I came up with forever ago that keeps your curls the same length all the way down rather than them getting smaller and smaller towards the bottom.

Here it is done by the lovely Hypnotica:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eKpcYRIr4o

snowyx
February 1st, 2015, 04:44 PM
Oh strange. Here they are :)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bvPszl06PzA/UcHzIxuwpjI/AAAAAAAAFAg/24SdAU_FcTA/s512/Step-1.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ifO8U5QmS2s/UcHzI4dYMcI/AAAAAAAAFAo/OmkjE3pqkpo/s512/Step-2.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-89W_V6XPEbY/UcHzI7o7XjI/AAAAAAAAFAs/KRJKjeOv-gY/s512/Step-3.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YG_P4IWGzqc/UcHzJUVbjmI/AAAAAAAAFA0/SKBqupzHaIE/s512/Step-4.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jpmbr2JsVqk/UcHzJr0gKmI/AAAAAAAAFA8/L6889mW47tg/s512/Step-6.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gDrIQiDKd7s/UcHzJ2ed5rI/AAAAAAAAFBE/T-v5ShkbMxI/s512/Step-5.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HxOe56sFPFA/UcHzJ6UJfhI/AAAAAAAAFBI/pksHN-2pqEo/s512/Step-7.jpg

The curls at the end come from wrapping the ends around the twisted part :) You could do this just as a twist without the poofy bit on top, too.

Unfortunately I do not have a ficcare. What else do you think can hold up the bun? Do you think this is good to hold it up? http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=VP10435

thank you!

Sarahlabyrinth
February 1st, 2015, 04:55 PM
Lovely photos, Nightshade and very easy to follow:)

Nightshade
February 1st, 2015, 05:22 PM
Unfortunately I do not have a ficcare. What else do you think can hold up the bun? Do you think this is good to hold it up? http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=VP10435

Yes! I think a Karina would be perfect. It's nearly identical to a Ficcare M. If you need a L try an Avian (http://www.amazon.com/Vidal-Sassoon-VS15595-Avian-Clip/dp/B007OT1TAK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422836560&sr=8-1&keywords=avian+clip)instead.

thank you!


Lovely photos, Nightshade and very easy to follow:)

Thank you! :)

rina06
February 5th, 2015, 08:00 AM
trust me - I got a digi perm in December and it is NOT worth it. I had wavy hair to begin with and would tie it up and twist it around my finger when wet after it was washed and as long as I continued to do that the nights that followed (dry) I minimised the flat wave look that seems to be your concern.
They'll try to cut layers in your hair claiming it is the only way it'll work and you end up losing a bit of length - Im now at collarbone, my hair was almost APL. You'll also need products - tones of products to "maintain" the curl. It's a lot more maintenance than I was prepared to do.

Unfortunately for me, I learnt to love my waves after I ruined them. Now the wait for everything to grow out begins.

lunalocks
February 5th, 2015, 09:13 AM
No. Just, No.

gwenalyn
February 5th, 2015, 03:01 PM
It's not the end of the world for everyone. I had one three years ago, and I appreciate that it's left just enough of a body wave at the ends to look nice. You may even find it helps your hair stay in updos/braids, if your hair is super slippy to begin with. If you're really nervous, you could just get it at the ends, and trim it off if the damage is awful.