hair question for the ladies

[allisonleigh]

I have been toying with the idea of getting a body wave / perm (I feel so 80's just typing those words) for like 3 years now but am too nervous to do it. I have long, straight, fine blonde hair. Has anyone done this recently? I would hope the chemicals have been improved at least a little in recent years, since I know the biggest issue is how it fries your hair. I really want pretty waves though, especially for summer! If my hair gets really unhealthy I could just chop it off.. it's been a while anyway. Let me know. Thanks!

[koolkat1980]

How about you get a 'Paul Brown' straighter and try curling your hair temporarily first to see if you like the look of it! Any heat is forcing your hair into less natural shapes and it does take its toll esp. on fine hair as you stated you have.

A lot of people these days still perm their hair - However, I thought it was more for the older ladies. Perming, evening using any form of heat on your hair does dry it out though. You might need a special shampoo and conditioner for it.

Personally, I've never had mine permed so I guess I wouldn't know a lot about it. Hope this helps abit. :rolleyes:

[wordsmith]

Perm solution (and straightening solution, for that matter) still has a harsh chemical makeup. It's got to break down your hair cuticles' molecules in order for it to be "reshaped." So it's always going to be somewhat harsh on your hair...all chemical treatments that penetrate your hair (unlike, say, temp dyes that sit on the surface and don't soak in) are going to cause some damage.

If your hair is fine, would temporary curling/waving measures help, like letting it dry while twisted in buns or mini buns, or braided? That can give straight hair texture, and if your hair isn't too heavy, the weight shouldn't pull the waves out too quickly.

[texasgirl]

Speaking from experience, I would NOT get a perm! I have fairly fine hair and thought it would be a fun beach look, a la Gisele, and bit the perm bullet. The result was that I had frizzy, super-curly hair that made me look like I was wearing a poodle on my head. You may have better luck, but I specifically asked for LOOSE waves, and it was disastrous. Plus, it took 2 years to remedy completely!

[awhitmer83]

I got a perm a few years ago - definitely less smelly (though still not great) and easier on your hair. There are also many products specifically designed for chemically treated hair that didn't exist when we were getting perms as kids! When I had mine permed, I gave it at least one day a week with no heat whatsoever and conditioned daily to keep it from being fried. I say go for it!

[Sommer05]

I wish I had straight hair! If I were you, I would just braid my hair when it's damp (right after you get out of the shower), and sleep on it. Maybe apply some leave in conditioner before to get all the frizz out. When you wake up you will have nice soft waves.

[Nikki-Liz]

I wanted to do a body wave but my hair is highlighted and Im terrified to destroy my hair by adding any more chemicals but I found a good way to get nice waves

My hair is thick so what I do may not work as well but it might be worth a shot (and it's much cheaper and way less damaging) I get this stuff called beach blonde ocean waves... You spray it on your hair when it's damp (it says you can do it dry but It works better if your hair is a little damp but not soaking wet) Then I put my hair up in a loose messy bun or pigtail buns the more you do the wavier it gets then sleep on it. make sure your hair is DRY before you take out the buns so it doesn't go flat as soon.

[aggiegrad05]

I wanted to do a body wave but my hair is highlighted and Im terrified to destroy my hair by adding any more chemicals but I found a good way to get nice waves

My hair is thick so what I do may not work as well but it might be worth a shot (and it's much cheaper and way less damaging) I get this stuff called beach blonde ocean waves... You spray it on your hair when it's damp (it says you can do it dry but It works better if your hair is a little damp but not soaking wet) Then I put my hair up in a loose messy bun or pigtail buns the more you do the wavier it gets then sleep on it. make sure your hair is DRY before you take out the buns so it doesn't go flat as soon.
Ooh, yeah, I've used that stuff before too (you don't have to be blonde). I have naturally wavy hair, but if I don't put any product in it, it's a giant frizzball. What I do is use a couple of pumps of this Aveda smoothing stuff that my hairdresser recommended to help with frizz and scrunch that through my hair (when it's damp, after I've brushed it). Then I use John Frieda Frizz-Ease (you can get it at Walgreens or whatever drug store you have around). It's a spray and you spritz it all over and scrunch it, but make sure you don't use too much or it'll get crunchy looking. Works for me, but if your hair is naturally straight, I'd try doing the bun or pigtail thing that Nikki recommended.