Do you have a fetish for curls or waves in your hair, to give you a break from that dull, limp poker-straight hair? Perming the hair is the most acceptable option to step up the hair game, flaunt those bouncy ringlets in the hair, and gain attention.
Nowadays, changing natural hair can conveniently be done at some salons. Permed hair is a chemical treatment to briefly break each hair shaft bond and rebond it to give a unique shape.
After the bonds are broken, hot iron rods are employed to provide the desired curly or wavy appearance, and then the shape is maintained. Hair bonds are reconstructed using chemical neutralizers [1].
Perming chemically alters the hair structure to form different types of waves or curls. The technique to straighten hair is known as hair relaxation. It breaks down the disulfide bonds in our hair and gives it a new structure. There are several techniques to perm your hair:
As simple as it may sound, chemically treated permed hair requires a lot of pampering and care. Here are a few powerful tips you can follow to protect the beautiful curls for an extended period:
Since chemicals are used to perm the hair, it is essential to provide extra nourishment for those treated tresses to minimize the side effects. Try some homemade protein hair masks or hydrating hair masks to add that excess moisture and shine to the hair.
Hair treatments within a year to the permed hair should be shunned as perming the natural hair already took many chemicals. The addition of heat or more chemicals may make the hair brittle and dry with split ends and finally leading to heavy hair fall.
The use of chemicals in perming strips the hair of its natural moisture. Stop using shampoos mixed with heavy chemicals and use special shampoos meant for permed hair 3 times a week.
The treated hair’s deep conditioning is a must after every wash to retain the moisture and fix the damage by making the hair look bouncy and healthy. You may also try some homemade natural conditioners for shiny, lustrous hair.
To keep the mane damage-free and healthy, try to trim the hair or get a haircut done at least 1 to 2 times every 2 months to prevent the hair from showing split ends and being brittle. Having long hair will also weigh down the curls and make them lose their shape.
[Read: How to Stop Hair Breakage]
Permed hair takes tremendous effort to detangle. After shampooing the hair, you must use a wide toothbrush or wooden comb or even your fingers to untangle the knots in your hair slowly and then apply some hair serum and lightly brush using the wide-tooth comb and allow the hair to air dry.
A hot air emitting blow dryer should never be used for permed hair as it removes moisture from the hair, making it lifeless and dry, but in case you are in haste, you can opt for a blow drier with a cold setting.
Bananas are excellent for rejuvenating lifeless, dry hair by adding moisture to it. While the addition of honey makes the hair lustrous and soft, coconut oil nourishes the tresses from the roots and prevents breakage. The probiotics in curd prevent scalp infections like folliculitis, dandruff, etc., and bestow one with an attractive mane.
The excellent moisturizing and hydrating properties of the fresh aloe gel is a boon for the tresses. While almond oil nourishes brittle, dry hair, vitamin E oil protects the hair from the harmful UVB rays and prevents oxidative damage.
The addition of jojoba essential oil not only endows you with a refreshing aroma that lasts long but also arrests hair loss.
Getting a perm done can take around 3 hours. For short hair, perms last for at least 3 months. For long hair, they may last longer, going up to 5 to 6 months. Just like every other hair chemical treatment, there are advantages and disadvantages to perming.
Remember, if you decide to perm the hair, maintenance can go a long way in keeping the hair healthy. Follow the steps mentioned above to take care of permed hair