Can you straighten a perm? Did you just get your hair curled, but it turned out terrible, and now you want to reverse it? Or do you have a nice curly, but want to redefine it to something sleek? Straightening your perm is one way you can do that. That would have been easy if you just visited the salon, but we know how expensive that can be.
So how can you straighten a perm hair on your own, without ruining it? To straighten a perm hair, you can use a flat iron, a perm straightening kit, or hair straightening gels without ruining it.
Can a perm be straightened?
If your question is can you straighten a perm? The answer is Yes, you can. Perms are designed in a way that allows you to straighten them when you want, when you shampoo them, they will return to their twirly state. But please don’t do it immediately after getting a perm. This might ruin the perm; your hair is very delicate when relaxed. Use mild ways to straighten it.
Below are some less aggressive ways to straighten a perm.
4 Ways to straighten a perm without ruining it
1. Creating a temporary styling
Step 1 : Wash your hair
Wash your hair using conditioner or shampoo. Avoid using the ones that contain harsh chemicals, they can ruin your hair. Make sure the conditioner has moisturizing ingredients, to hydrate the scalp and the hair.
Step 2 : Apply a hair heat protectant
After washing your hair, apply a heat protectant. This will help smooth the cuticle and will limit the damage that straightening your hair could cause.
Step 3 : Use a straightening product
Choose the appropriate product for your hair type. Then apply it to your hair. This will help you have more control when you are styling your hair.
Step 4 : Dry your hair
You can use any method you wish to dry your hair. You can either use a blow dryer or a diffuser. As it’s getting dried, use a brush to comb through.
Step 5 : Choosing a flat iron
Choose the right iron that best suits your hair. If you have short or thick hair, flat iron with a plate size between an inch, to one inch long, would be best for your hair. Also, narrow plates are best for short hairs.
If you have long hair, look for an iron with a plate size between one and a half to two inches. Always make sure the iron does not weigh too much, for easier handling.
Step 6 : Set the iron properly
Though not all flat iron allows you to adjust the heat settings, If your hair is fine or damaged, it is better to get an iron that allows you to adjust the heat settings.
You can keep the heat between 200-300 degrees Fahrenheit for soft hair, for medium-thick medium thickness, 300 to 350 degree Fahrenheit would be okay. And for thick hair 350 to 400 degree Fahrenheit would do.
Step 7 : Use the flat iron to straighten your hair
Make sure your hair is completely dry before using the flat iron. Divide your hair into small sections, then apply pressure, to pass the flat iron over each of them. Don’t go over a section more than once. It can cause damage to your hair.
2. Using a permed kit at home
Step 1 : Condition your hair
Wash your hair with shampoo, divide your hair into four sections, and apply the conditioner right from the bottom, to the tip of the hair, from section to section.
Step 2 : Dry and Wash your hair
After applying the conditioner, apply heat to your hair to dry it. You can use a dryer or a warm towel to dry your hair.
Step 3 : Apply perm solution
While still dividing the hair into sections, use gloves to combine the solution into each section of the hair.
Step 4 : Rinse perm solution from your hair
After the solution is on the hair for around 10 minutes, use warm water to rinse it off. Make sure you get all the lotion out of your hair.
Step 5 : Dry your hair
Make sure your hair dries properly. Then you can apply the neutralizer from the kits. Use the same method you use in applying the perm solution. Then rinse for about 6 mins, and pat dry.
Step 6 : Care for your hair
Congrats!! your hair should be straightened by now.
To care for your hair, make sure you use moisturizer regularly, to prevent damage.
3. Using a gel
Step 1 : Choose the right gel
Before choosing a gel, be aware that gel does not work for everybody, and might not give you your desired results. In finding the right gel for your hair, you can ask a stylist or try to search online. A gel can only give you temporary straightened hair, just like the flat iron does.
Step 2 : Wash your hair
Wash your hair with a gentle conditioner and shampoo. Avoid using shampoos or hair conditioners with harsh properties. Shape your hair, apply the conditioner, then wash it.
Step 3 : Dry your hair
After washing your hair, you can pat dry with a towel.
Step 4 : Apply gel
Add a small bit of gel to your hair after drying it. When adding, divide your hair into sections then apply a dime size gel to your hair, from the root to the tip of your hair.
Step 5 : Dry and brush your hair
Blow-dry your hair. Use a brush with round bristles to brush the hair, while you blow-dry it, to help it stretch. Don’t let the dryer be too hot if your hair is not thick.
Step 6 : Clip your hair
Though this is not needed for short hair. But if you have long hair, you can use a hair clip to take the top half of your hair, clip it to dry out the bottom, then unclip and dry out the top of the hair.
4. Using a hair mask
According to Claudia Fuenmayor in her YouTube channel video, “straighten your hair permanently at home with one ingredient,” you can straighten your hair with a face mask by following the following steps.
Step 1: Getting your ingredients
Get 2 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
Step 2: Preparing your hair mask
To prepare a hair mask, put 2 tablespoons in a pot with 2 cups of water, stir and boil for 1 minute.
Step 3: Applying the mask to your hair
Use a hairbrush to apply the mixture to your hair. Divide the hair into sections to apply.
Step 4: Wash your hair
Leave it on for about 30 mins and wash it off.
Step 5: Dry your hair
Blow or pat your hair dry
Step 6: Brush your hair and apply mask
After drying your hair, you can use your hand to brush through or use a hairbrush.
Applying the mask to your hair; use a hair brush to apply the mixture to your hair. Divide the hair into section to apply
Step 4: Wash your hair
Leave it one for about 30mins and wash it off.
Step 5: Dry your hair
Blow or pat your hair dry.
Step 6: Brush your hair
After and while drying your hair, you can use your hand to brush through your hair or use a hairbrush.
While on my perm will using a flat iron affect it?
If done properly, using flat iron will not affect your perm. Ironing can change the pattern of your wave. You should shampoo and shape your hair, blow-dry, and use a flat iron to smoothen it. When you use shampoo again your curls should return.
If done properly, using flat iron will not affect your perm. Ironing can change the pattern of your wave. You should shampoo and shape your hair then blow-dry and use the flat iron to smooth it. When you shampoo again your curls should return.
For how long does a perm last?
Depending on your hair type. Before straightening a perm, your perm can last from three to six months, when you properly take care of them.
After straightening your perm, it can last from about 4 to 6 months, depending on the method you use, your hair type, and how you take care of it. If you use a temporary straightening method, it will last for just a week or less.
Can a curly perm be straightened?
Though it’s risky, if not done properly, can damage your hair. But it can be straightened, if you use the right methods. You have to believe you can do it before embarking on this journey as this might damage your hair. Follow the steps earlier stated and all will be well.
What is the time duration before straightening a permed hair?
It is recommended that you wait for about 2 weeks before you should be straightening your perm hair. This gives enough time for all the chemicals, used in perming your hair, to set properly.
Will the curls come back after straightening
As long as you use the right method and do it properly, your curl will come back. Too much heat can damage your curl. You can get your curl back within a few weeks. If you get your curl back after straightening methods like, using curl restoring treatments, shampooing, eye conditioners, etc.
Can you unperm your hair?
Here are several ways you can un perm your hair.
Step 1
You can use a good conditioner; wash your hair first to keep it moisturized.
Step 2
Apply curl testament treatment, and leave it on your hair for some time. This will help straighten the perm.
Step 3
Wash and blow your hair dry. You can also pat dry with a towel.
Step 4
You can also un perm your hair by making a coconut oil mask.
Melt 1 cup of coconut oil, add 2 teaspoons of essential oils, and melt properly. You can use a microwave. Then apply to your hair, wrap with a towel or shower cap, and leave for about 2hours.
Ways to care for your hair, before and after perming
1. Use hair Conditioners
Make sure your scalp gets the proper hydration by using hair conditioners regularly. This benefits your hair and your scalp.
2. Eat a balanced diet
Eating food rich in protein can help to nourish your hair and help in hair damage and breakage.
3. Brush your hair before you shower
Before entering the shower, always brush your hair. Brushing dry hair allows the oil from your scalp to get to the ends of your hair.
4. Toning your hair
To darken your hair using henna or lighten it, the correct procedures have to be followed to prevent hair damage
Ways to care for your hair after perming
1. Use less shampoo
Wash your hair less and even when you do, you use a conditioner to moisturize the hair, and hydrate the scalp.
2. Dry your hair properly
While you are on your perm. It is not advisable to towel dry it. Instead, apply your styling product, and let it dry overnight.
3. Get regular trims
Remove damaged hair regularly, to keep your perm looking nice. Depending on how fast your hair grows, regular trimming is advisable.
4. Avoid high heat styling
When styling your hair, avoid high heat styling. This can totally damage your hair.
Conclusion
If you have been asking this question: “can you straighten a perm without ruining it,” yes you can. And I hope this article has been able to explain that to you. If you are not confident enough to do it yourself, for fear of ruining your perm, you can consult your hairstylist.
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