What Is A Straightening Perm

Despite having naturally curly hair, Beyonce typically wears it straight.

Although the term "perm" is typically associated with curly hair, it can actually refer to any permanent hair treatment, since "perm" is short for "permanent." The straightening perm is a treatment for people with curly or frizzy hair who want to wear their straight without spending hours styling it every day.

Technique

A combination of heat and chemicals is applied to the hair. Heat is applied with straightening tongs. These apply heat to the hair from both sides, effectively "ironing" the hair flat. The heat temporarily straightens the curls while the chemicals set the hair in its newly straight position. The chemicals used vary according to the salon and the straightening product used. Some use less-harsh substances such as cornstarch, while others use ammonia-based solutions. The initial straightening process typically takes between three and six hours, depending on the length and volume of hair.

Procedure

Procedures vary depending on the stylist. Firstly, the stylist shampoos and conditions the hair, then towel dries before blow-drying. Then he will apply a chemical neutralizer solution to set the hair, before wrapping individual bunches of hair in either foil or cling film. Some stylists may insist on performing a skin test the day before your procedure. Typically they dab a small amount of the chemical straightener onto your neck or the back of your hand. When you arrive for your procedure, your stylist will check the test area for signs of irritation. If your skin reacts to the chemicals, the stylist may refuse to apply it to your hair.

Appearance

After the treatment, your hair will be perfectly straight. It will also have an extremely glossy appearance and will feel lighter and softer. This is because the strands of hair are no longer tightly curled.

Care

Long-term care requirements are typically minimal and certainly no more intense than your regular routine; in fact, your hair may require less care since you won't be using straightening tongs as frequently. However, for a period of 48 hours after the straightening treatment, you must not get your hair wet. This means no washing, no swimming, wearing a shower cap and carrying an umbrella in case of rain. If the hair gets wet during this period, the straightening effects can be partially reversed.

Duration

The effects on the treated hair are permanent, but new hair will grow in the natural way. In this respect, the effects are comparable to a permanent dye. This is why you should have interim treatments every six months or so. Otherwise, the tips of your hair will be straight while the roots are frizzy. To reverse the effects, simply let the straight hair grow out without treatments.

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