Help...I’ve been....permed!!!

So sorry to hear of your perm challenges.  It is definitely true that perms can be tricky to deal with. And yes, over time, perms do loosen.  To speed up the softening process try the following tricks:

1.  Use a super moisturizing shampoo that you dilute 1 part shampoo to 3 parts warm water.  Avoid hot water, which will only dry hair and make it more frizzy.

2.  Rinse well.  Then gently towel blot the excess moisture from your strands and then slather...and I mean slather....a deep conditioning treatment on your hair from the ears down.  Do not apply thick or heavy conditioning products on or near the roots.

3.  Let the deep conditioner penetrate for 30 minutes.  Longer if you have the time and energy.

4.  Rinse the conditioner completely out of your hair.  Finish with a cool to cold rinse.

Note:  For even softer strands, after you rinse the deep conditioner, apply a moisturizing rinse out conditioner and then do the final rinse.  This will give you a double whammy of softness to help the perm relax.  The only risk is that while a lot of conditioner will soften the perm, it may be too much for some types of hair and could cause excessive limpness.  Therefore, consider your hair type.  If you have fine or thin hair, skip the double conditioning step.  If you have medium texture or thick hair, the double conditioning will probably be fine.

5.  Towel blot well and then apply a very moisturizing leave-in conditioner.  Remember that creams are heavier and sprays are lighter.

6.  Consider using a light get to help control the new permed in curls by applying a little gel and then using your fingers to form big, looser curls.  Let them air dry, if possible.  Using a blow dryer or other heat tools may cause more dryness and thus more frizz. 

7.  If you want to remove the curls completely, apply a styling product and then separate hair into sections and roll around the biggest sponge rollers you can find.  Or create your own and then sit under a hood hair dryer turned to a gentle heat.  This will help tame the tight curls and will help with the frizz.

Another option is to set your hair on old fashioned rag curlers made from soft rags OR use the Conair foam rag curlers and let your hair air dry.  This will give you ringlets.

Other things to consider which may help:

Wash your hair only as often as you need to because your hair is in a more fragile state now after the perm and hair is more prone to breakage when wet.  If you can, drop back on the number of times you wash your hair every week.

Do not brush your hair when wet and use a very pick hair pick that will not pull strands.  Work from the bottom up as you detangle.  Take your time and do not pull since hair is very fragile.

A drop of shine serum can help to smooth the cuticles and help to tame frizz.  It will also add some shine that will counter the dryness and crunchiness.

Play with new styles that will straighten out the curls.  Pull hair back under a bandeau headband or wear pinned up in a French Twist or other style of hair bun.  Pin ends under to protect from splitting and to remove some of the crunchy look.  Have ends trimmed religiously every 4 weeks to remove splits and help the perm relax out.

Hang in there.  The best news is that perms DO relax eventually although unfortunately it doesn't happen overnight.

Best wishes,
Karen