Remove a Perm from Your Hair
When I got home, I was so upset that I asked my mom for help. We washed my hair twice (even though I know you’re not supposed to do that right after a perm) because I was desperate to loosen the curls. Then, we blow-dried and flat-ironed it. Right now, it looks straight, but even after washing it yesterday, I could still see those tight curls trying to bounce back.
I know perms fade over time - maybe in about three months - but my biggest worry is that I’ll have to flat-iron my hair every single day to keep it straight. I have a lot of hair, so that’s a long, damaging process. Plus, I’m sure my hair is already damaged from all the heat and chemicals. I absolutely hate this perm. It looked terrible.
I’m hesitant to go back to my stylist, but I’d consider using a relaxer to undo the perm. However, I’m terrified my hair might break off completely. I was hoping that washing and flat-ironing right away might have removed most of the perm, but I’m not sure. Does washing and heat-styling immediately after a perm actually remove it or at least loosen the tight curls?
When a perm is done correctly - meaning it’s properly processed and fully neutralized - the hair’s structure becomes just as stable as it was before the treatment. The perm works by breaking and then reforming the disulfide bonds in your hair (these are the strong chemical bonds that give hair its shape). Once these bonds are reset, the curl pattern is locked in unless the perm wasn’t neutralized properly.
Blow-drying and flat-ironing can temporarily straighten permed hair because heat breaks and reforms the weaker hydrogen and salt bonds (which contribute to about two-thirds of your hair’s strength and texture). However, these changes are only temporary. As soon as your hair gets wet again, the curls will return. That’s why, no matter how much you flat-iron it now, the perm won’t truly be "removed" until it grows out or is chemically altered.
The best thing to do is talk to your stylist. They can assess your hair’s condition and recommend the safest way to fix it. Depending on how healthy your hair is, they might suggest:
• A thio-based relaxer to soften the curls (though this can be risky if your hair is already damaged).
• A re-perm with larger rods to create looser, more natural-looking waves.
• A smoothing treatment (like a keratin or Brazilian blowout) to help relax the curl pattern without fully removing the perm.
There are also newer, gentler perm formulas designed to create softer, more modern waves. Your stylist might recommend one of these for a correction.
One last thought: It sounds like there might be a communication gap between you and your stylist. To avoid this in the future, bring reference photos of exactly the curl pattern you want, and discuss the process in detail before they start. Sometimes, small misunderstandings can lead to big disappointments, so being extra clear can make all the difference.
©Hairfinder.com
See also: Bad perm with a dodgy poodle effect