My perm is going straight: Why is my perm not curly?

This is a topic that I am personally very knowledgeable about. I have been wearing my hair in a perm for over two years now, and it has been straight since the first month.

So to answer your question, there are a few reasons why you might be having this issue.

One of the main reasons could be your hair type. If you have fine hair, then the perm will not hold well because it is too thin to wrap around itself and create curls or waves.

Another reason could be your hair care regimen – if you use products that strip your natural oils and leave your hair dry, then it will not hold well in a perm either.

Why is my perm not curly?

In my experience, when someone’s perm is going straight, it’s for one of these reasons:

• You washed your perm too early
• You’ve been washing your hair with the wrong shampoo
• You haven’t been using styling products
• You haven’t done nourishing treatments on your hair
• A bad haircut
• Mistakes when perming

So let’s look at the reasons in depth, since there are so many.

In a few minutes, you’ll know the exact reason why your perm going straight and how to correct it

YOUR PERM LOST ITS SHAPE BECAUSE YOU WASHED IT TOO EARLY

When permed hair is applied, it should be kept in place using gel or hairspray and sometimes even dry shampoo. It’s best not to wash or wet it again until 48 hours later or 72 hours after the first application.

It must be strictly respected to avoid ruining the curl.

If you straighten your curl because of accidental carelessness, it could be one of the reasons your curls go straight or lose their shape.

It sounds like the stylist you went to didn’t give you an abbreviated version of this procedure. This was for your own safety and needs to be explained in full. If it can’t happen, then that means there’s no solution – sorry!

If you’re washing your hair excessively, using the wrong products or adding excessive heat, stop doing it. It can cause another cause for your curl perm going straight.

For your best curly hair, try washing it less often because it can become dry and frizzy. Make sure to use products designed for curly hair, like henna-derived shampoos.

YOU’VE BEEN WASHING YOUR HAIR WITH THE WRONG SHAMPOO

Low shampoo for permed hair are designed to be non-lathering and will keep your hair clean & healthy. They are also great for people with curly or frizz-prone curls.

• If you have thick hair and use a low shampoo, then you can definitely skip the conditioner. This can cause a lot of problems in your hair. It tends to become heavy, frizzy and unmanageable. But if you avoid this, you’ll be able to keep your hair healthy and looking great for much longer.
• However, if you struggle with fine or flat hair that tends to be limp or frizzy, conditioner is an excellent option. It can help provide weight and definition and can leave your hair looking shiny & bouncy.
• After you have applied conditioner or shampoo, comb through your hair with a wide-toothed comb gently.

YOU HAVEN’T BEEN USING STYLING PRODUCTS

When you exit the shower, you should put a towel on your head to soak up excess water

You’ll help your hair to maintain its natural shape and form while it’s damp. The key to maintaining your curls will be your styling products. Don’t you have one?

Curlies hold their shape over time so a good hair oil prevents it from losing its shape. Oil also protects the hair from dryness & split ends.

Stick to alcohol & silicone free products that are specific for your hair’s needs. Opt for styling cream, or a curl activator

YOU HAVEN’T DONE NOURISHING TREATMENTS ON YOUR HAIR

Changing the shape of your hair is an often aggressive process, which can have some undesirable effects on your curls.

There are more specific solutions for these changes and are best addressed by going to a professional.

Moisturizing your hair keeps the curl-forming molecules hydrated and in their most natural state.

Apply a nourishing mask at home and add a few drops of any serum or oil you have. 

Use the hair mask every ten to fifteen days. This way, your curls will maintain their shape, and they’ll be more hydrated.

A BAD HAIRCUT

You want your perm to be looking its best, and maintaining a good haircut can greatly contribute to that!

A haircut will refresh those dried up ends that are making your curls stretch. It will bring back the shape of your curls to its previous state, adding bounce back to them.

Ask your stylist to give you a haircut. You can opt for a layered cut, an asymmetrical long bob, a shaggy, or a V-shaped bob. The options are endless and you can mix and match so it always looks fresh & new!

MISTAKES WHEN PERMING

If you have been following all the tips I told you, and your perm is still going straight, I have some bad news for you.

Possibly, your perm is badly done.

Perming your hair is a process that has several stages. All of them have to be done in detail.

If any of those seven stages was done in error, the perm will fail.

WHAT COULD HAVE GONE WRONG WITH MY PERM FOR IT TO BE GOING STRAIGHT?

Many things.

• Neutralization may have failed
• The choice of the curlers
• The curling process
• The exposure times of the perming product on the hair

CONCLUSION

The reason perms generally fail near the scalp is because of the hair’s natural growth pattern. The hair that grows most quickly hits right at and around the perming roots.

It may happen because the curlers were not properly tightened.

If you’ve had your hair permed two months ago and it stretched too fast in a certain area, speak to your stylist immediately.

This stylist will surely recognize their mistake and be able to fix it, while protecting the rest of the hair.

On the other hand, if your perm is stretched or mussed up at the ends, try these tips I gave you. Use them to get it back into shape and your curls won’t be straight or stretched.