Perms are a chemical hair treatment that alters the curl pattern of your strands. Nowadays, perms have gotten a modern update, and more people are asking for them. However, with a great perm comes great responsibility.
Once you get a perm, they require a lot of maintenance and can be challenging to change. So if you have long hair or don’t like taking risks, a perm can be a huge service. Because perms alter the structure of your hair, one of the only ways to get rid of it safely is to grow it out.
Growing out a perm can be time-consuming unless you don’t have a problem cutting your hair extremely short. However, what can you do if you have fallen out of love with your perm?
Can you straighten a perm? Yes and no. It will depend on multiple factors whether you can straighten a perm or not. While it is possible to straighten a perm, you’ll want to take all the necessary steps to protect your strands and avoid causing damage.
Perms come with a few rules. There are a few strict guidelines to follow regarding coloring and heat styling your hair. Because your hair has already been chemically processed, you need to proceed with caution when you color or heat style your hair, and this includes straightening.
What Is A Perm?
A perm will chemically alter your hair to take on a new curl pattern or wave. Perms work exceptionally well for those who have straight hair that lacks volume and texture. In addition, there are multiple versions of a perm that you can choose to execute.
You can create almost any curl pattern or wave with the correct rods. Curling rods will determine how loose or tight your curls will be. In addition, multiple rolling patterns will also affect the finished result and your desired curl pattern.
However, it can be challenging to see your results until the perm is fully complete. As mentioned earlier, perms come with a few rules to ensure you keep your results. This includes not shampooing or avoiding moisture for the first 48 hours after a perm.
In addition, perms will need to be touched up once new hair grows in, or it can be a time-consuming process to grow out the perm depending on your hair length. However, how can you style your perm for the awkward in-between phases?
Is it possible to straighten a perm? Even if you love your chemically altered curls, some days you want to try something new.
How To Take Care Of A Perm
Taking care of a perm doesn’t have to be as intimidating as it sounds. Once you learn a few simple rules, you will find that managing a perm is easier than you think. Following a couple of guidelines will ensure you keep your hair’s integrity.
Once you get a fresh perm, you’ll want to avoid hair coloring and heat styling because your hair is already in a fragile state. If you color your hair immediately after, it can diminish your hair’s integrity and even lead to breakage.
In addition, you’ll want to avoid heat styling. Avoiding heat styling will ensure you don’t cause additional damage to your strands. Heat can be pretty harsh, so in the beginning, you’ll want to stay clear. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t heat style forever.
You may also notice that the texture of your hair feels different after a perm. Most people find that their hair is dry after a perm service. So opting for nourishing shampoos and deep conditioning masks will keep your strands strong.
You’ll want to keep your hair resilient even after a perm. Once your perm is no longer fresh out of the salon, you can begin to safely heat style or straighten your perm.
Can You Straighten A Perm?
You can heat-style or flat iron your perm even though it’s not recommended. Heat styling perms can be beneficial if you need to conceal your awkward regrowth or get tired of your curls. However, avoid hot tools immediately after your perm.
In addition, there are multiple ways you can straighten your hair. The first and most accessible way to straighten a perm is at home with a flat iron. Flat irons can help achieve a smooth and sleek look, and they can help tame your voluminous curls.
The second way includes going in for a chemical straightener or relaxer. Just like how you can perm your hair to achieve curls, you can relax your curls to get sleek strands. However, it depends on the state of your hair, this option isn’t for everyone.
Chemically relaxing your perm can be very risky. You can risk breakage, and it can take even more time to nourish your hair back to life after two chemical treatments. However, improperly flat ironing your hair can cause your strands to snap too.
So, will straightening your perm cause irreversible damage, or is there a safe method to transform your curls? Thankfully, there might be a way to give your hair new life.
Will Heat Styling Cause Damage?
Heat can damage your hair regardless of its health, texture, or hair type. However, it can be terrible if you have chemically treated hair like a perm. If your hair is heat damaged, you may want to consult a licensed hairstylist to help remedy your strands.
Thankfully, there are some at-home solutions to prevent or nourish heat-damaged hair. Heat damage can also happen if a chemical hair treatment goes south. You’ll want to revive or protect your perm, especially if you plan to use hot tools.
According to Heathline, “a hair mask or professional deep-conditioning treatment from the salon may be the first step to restoring a hair’s sheen. Hot oil treatments designed for home use are another option.”
Incorporating high-quality styling products will ensure your hair stays healthy despite having gone through a perm and heat styling. A heat protectant is a must-have product to save your permed curls from unnecessary hot tool damage.
Healthline states the following signs that point to heat damage: “overly dry hair, rough or stringy texture, white nodules at the end of the hair shaft, and hair breakage.” So now, how can you straighten a perm and avoid any excess damage?
How To Straighten Your Perm Safely
As mentioned earlier, there are a few ways you can straighten a perm. The most common way is at home with a flat iron, and the second is going in for a chemical treatment.
Unfortunately, both methods can be risky if you don’t take precautionary steps.
1. With a Flat Iron/Hot Tool
Hot tools like a flat iron or a curling iron are everyday household items. Fortunately, they will be the easiest and most convenient way to straighten a perm. However, you’ll want to incorporate a heat protectant to ensure your strands are healthy.
If you have a perm, your hair’s integrity can already be compromised. So, to keep your permed ends long and strong, set your flat iron to a low heat setting. A low heat setting will ensure you don’t go overboard and can build up your heat tolerance.
It’s crucial to note that heat styling can weaken a perm over time. So, if you flat iron your hair frequently, you can potentially loosen your perm. In addition, you’ll want to start with completely dry hair; styling wet hair is never a good idea.
Flat ironing wet hair, or more specifically, a wet perm, can be detrimental to your hair’s health. In addition, it can also lead to breakage in the long run. So, always start with a good heat protectant and dry strands for a seamless and healthy finish.
Next, you’ll want to start flat ironing small sections of hair. Your flat iron can indicate how big your sections should be for a flawless finish. Working in small sections will ensure you only do one heat pass over the hair without missing any sections.
You’ll want to avoid passing the same section of hair multiple times with a flat iron. This will reduce the exposure your hair has to heat and prevent breakage. Instead, continue flat ironing with one pass, and repeat this step until you are finished.
Lastly, when in doubt, consult your hairstylist. They can guide you to the proper hair care and flat ironing routine. In addition, you should not straighten your perm for at least a couple of weeks after your perm service.
However, it can vary depending on the type of perm or chemicals used to complete your service. So, consult your stylist to ensure your hair can handle extra heat from a flat iron.
2. Chemical Straightener
Another way you can straighten your perm is with chemical straightening or relaxing treatments. However, this option isn’t that common. Also, your hairstylist may be hesitant to perform frequent or back-to-back chemical treatments on your hair.
Depending on how well you care for your perm and your hair’s integrity will help your hairdresser make an informed decision. While it’s not impossible, it’s hazardous to chemically straighten your hair after a perm.
The most healthy and safe way to alter a perm is by waiting for it to grow out. However, if you are a little impatient, you can flat iron your hair at home with caution or book a chemical straightening treatment.
Should You Use A Heat Protectant?
Whether you have permed hair or not, incorporating a heat protectant will be necessary to keep your hair protected from hot tools. Heat damage can become extremely severe if you aren’t careful and is especially bad for chemically-treated hair.
Nowadays, heat protectants can do it all. For example, heat protectants can add moisturizing elements with argan oil, or they can even protect your strands from UV rays. Surprisingly enough, the sun can also contribute to your heat damage.
In addition, heat protectants can combat frizz and lock in moisture once you heat style your hair. This will be especially helpful when straightening a perm because curls are prone to frizz and can be challenging to manage.
Would you paint your nails without using a base coat? Think of a heat protectant as the base coat for straightening your perm. Yes, you’ll achieve the look you want, but you will keep your base strong and healthy so you can continue heat styling.
Overall, heat protectants can distribute countless benefits for your permed strands. In addition, it will keep your hair’s integrity despite having chemically-treated strands.
Will The Curls Return After Straightening?
Another popular question is whether your curls will return after straightening. For most people, flat ironing their perm will last until it’s time to rewash their hair. However, if you chemically straighten your hair at the salon, your hair should stay straight.
Heat styling can last as long as you upkeep it or as long as you go without washing your hair.
If you flat iron your perm, chances are it will stay straight until you shampoo and condition. So, straightening a perm simply with a flat iron won’t make it permanent.
After every wash, your hair will return to its natural state, or it’s a chemically altered state. Therefore, it is crucial to make your straightened hair last if you want to heat style as little as possible but still manage your perm.
Overall, it’s an easy at-home way to straighten a perm.
You won’t need hot tools to achieve a sleek and seamless result if you chemically straighten your hair. Your results should last after every wash because your hair’s bonds have been broken and resealed into its new elegant shape.
How To Loosen A Perm
While you can’t completely get rid of a perm unless you grow it out or cut it, you can potentially loosen it. In addition, reducing a perm can make it easier to straighten with a flat iron or experiment with other hairstyles. So how can you relax a perm?
For starters, if it’s been less than 48 hours since your perm, and you know you don’t like the tightness of the perm, you can wet it or wash your hair. However, check with your stylist first for confirmation.
This will break the bonds of the perm, and your hair will be straighter. Usually, you are not allowed to wet the hair after a perm because it will affect your curl’s longevity. Next, you’ll want to incorporate deep conditioning masks to eliminate frizz and moisture.
As mentioned earlier by Healthline, loosening a perm can also be achieved by using hot oil treatments, and it can help repair heat damage.
Consult With Your Stylist
When in doubt, consult with a trusted, licensed, and professional hairstylist. They will know exactly what to do, and they will be able to analyze your hair in real life. Then, they can help create a routine, so you know how to straighten your perm at home safely.
You can straighten your hair usually after a couple of weeks following your perm service. This will ensure your hair does not undergo additional trauma from heat styling.
Or, if you want extreme or permanent results, ask your stylist for a chemical straightening treatment. Lastly, always incorporate a heat protectant if you plan to flat iron or heat style at home. Your strands will thank you for it!
While it’s not impossible to straighten a perm, you should take precautionary steps to keep your hair happy and healthy!
Up Next: How Long Does A Perm Last For Men?
