Perm Marks or Rod Marks

Q: Is there a way to get rid of the marks that the perm rods create after a perm? Last time mine lasted a good month and it really looked ridiculous! The main ones are in the bangs area. Thanks!

A: These "perm marks" or "rod marks" are often caused by one of two things: A) the perm rod has been "overloaded" with too much hair (too large a slice) or B) the perm rod has been wrapped to sit "on base". Both of these situations can cause the appearance of prominent partings and marks in the permed hair.

The best way to get rid of them is to prevent them. Be sure to tell your stylist about the problem before your next perm, and if it is a home perm, take your time when wrapping the hair next time and make certain you avoid overloading the rods.

As for getting rid of the "marks" once they've happened, that can require some effort. One thing you can do is to use a perm kit and a cotton swap to dab waving lotion on the scalp area where the parts are located. Allow the waving lotion to sit on the hair for 5-10 minutes and then rinse the hair fully, concentrating on the scalp area where the lotion was applied.

While the waving lotion is working, gently lift the hairs in the affected area and move them in the direction you want them to lie. Once the hair is fully rinsed, towel-dry the hair and apply neutralizer to the scalp area only where you used the lotion and let it sit for 2-4 minutes then rinse it as well.

This should be sufficient to soften the rod marks without affecting your curls. DO NOT use this method if your hair is showing signs of over-processing or other stresses from chemical services. If in doubt, consult your local stylist.

©Hairfinder.com

See also:

How to wrap a perm

Perm spacers and hair breakage

Should you wrap perm rods in a downward or upward motion?

How can I remove perm rod marks without damaging the hair?