Body Wave What Won`t Go Away

Hey Deb,

Sorry to hear about your perpetual body wave. Yes, unfortunately it does happen that some types of hair, because of porosity, pervious damage or other factors will hold onto perms or color a lot longer than they are supposed to, like your current situation.

Should you do more chemicals or is it better to continue to do daily blowdrying to remove the waves? A tough choice. You are right, both can cause wear and tear to your hair over time. It is difficult to say which will cause the most long term damage to your hair, which you want to grow to longer lengths.

I would recommend that you start by getting a small maintenance trim to remove some of the remaining wave chemicals. I know that you are trying to grow your hair longer so of course just ask for a trim to remove some of the damage on the ends.

I would then recommend that you do a series of deep conditioning treatments to strengthen your hair. Sometimes intensive conditioning treatments will help relax the remains of a perm and/or wave.

Before deciding to go ahead with additional chemical treatments like straightening or relaxing,
I would suggest that you have your stylist or other hair professional look at the overall condition of your hair to determine what impact more chemicals would have on your hair at this point.

It is important to remember that in some cases (I have emails to prove it) chemical relaxing or straightening does not always guarantee bone straight hair. Many people still are required to use straightening gels, paddle brushes and blow dryers to get a super straight look even after a chemical relaxing or straighteing treatment.

Depending on the current overall condition of your hair and the recommendation of your hair expert you can decide to do more chemicals or just continue with a daily blowdrying treatment. It might actually be possible to use a good heat protectant product that will shield your hair from some of the potential heat damage from daily blow drying. Consider switching to other forms of curling tools like sleeping in rag rollers or doing a roller set with soft curlers and sitting under a hood dryer. Yes, it takes more time but it can be more gentle to your hair overall.

At this point I think the key is to find a hair professional that understands your desire to grow your hair long and healthy but also your need to get rid of the results of the perm. If you don`t feel comfortable with the stylist that suggested the body wave then look for a long hair friendly pro. that can help you get to the next level with your hair.

Hope that helps give you some ideas to work with.

Best wishes,
Karen