perms in long hair?

[acsred2]

2 weeks ago, I got a perm in our city's top rated salon - - it was $150, so not very cheap. I have hair to the middle of my back, but she cut big layers in it so it would work better. I just wanted a loose wave. At the salon the hair looked pretty good (maybe a little too curly even), but by that night, and even more the next day, it was already pretty relaxed. I didn't wash it and barely even touched it. I went back two days later, and she spritz some water in it and put tons of product in, telling me "it's still there." Now, when I just get out of the shower it's a little curly, and I put product in to try to keep it wavy, but it only lasts a few hours. By the end of the day, my hair is always straight. I've tried probably 10 different products by now. Is it normal for permed hair to get straighter within the day? When I got the perm, she said it was her first time doing hair my length, so I'm worried she did something wrong (even though I was paying for a specialist's price). I'm disappointed that I spent $150 (plus $100 on the dress I was wearing and she spilt the chemical on) on a perm that doesn't hold a curl. I've never had a perm before, so maybe that's how it's supposed to be? Or should I go back again?

Thanks!

[manderly]

It's very possible that the perm just didn't take to your hair. I've heard that complaint a lot....that perms "fall out" of some people's hair. I'm not sure if the salon did something wrong or your hair just didn't take.

I've had a perm before and I looked like a poodle until it grew out.....so IMHO, a perm should be pretty darn curly all the time.

You could try going back, just keep in mind if they suggest another perm that you will be doing additional damage.

[wintersun99]

...........

[Syaoransbear]

Could you possibly be pregnant? My hairdresser told me that once she was trying to give a lady a perm and it just wouldn't take. She asked the lady if she was pregnant and the lady said she wasn't. Two weeks later she came in and said that my hairdresser was right, she was pregnant.

[acsred2]

Nope, I'm definitely not pregnant. I do have really healthy hair and strong cuticles though.

[spidermom]

I see that your hair is described as 1A, and I know that very straight hair generally will not hold a perm; the structure is too round (naturally curly hair has a flat structure). Don't get a perm on top of a perm; you will get breakage like you won't believe. A friend of mine did just that. She was determined to get curls and had 2 perms about 10 days apart. Mistake. Big. Huge.

Damp braiding with some setting gel will give straight hair a similar appearance as a perm, and it's far less damaging.

I'm sorry the results were so disappointing for you.

[Tressie]

Hi, I'm sorry your perm didn't "take"! I had a similar experience a long time ago. I wanted long curly hair, and I paid a high price for a new perm that wasn't supposed to damage the hair. It didn't curl my hair at all. The stylist said my hair was too heavy maybe and cut in layers. This caused my hair to curl up a little. Later I had shorter layers cut in and another perm and I looked like Little Bo Peep, or at least like one of her sheep! Bad decision!!!

[walkinglady]

It's been years since I've had a perm but I did have one section of hair that wouldn't take. Every time I had it done I got the same results. Didn't matter how long they left the solution in or what size rods they used, it just wouldn't take. It was in the bang area so it wasn't the weight of my hair that pulled it out. Only my hair defying the perm!

I'm really sorry you had a disappointing experience. Thankfully it doesn't sound like you have damage. I think I'd baby your hair right now so it stays that way and skip on a second perm.

Best wishes,
walkinglady