A Vanity Related Question: Body Wave Perms?

[kama_s]

So, I have a thick head of very thin straight hair. It''s quite long now, hanging just around boob level. But the length makes it heavy and rather drab at times. I recently thought of body wave perms - the type that give you loose big curls. I''m dying for some volume! BUT, perms in general are a very foreign concept to me. Does anyone have any comments? Or any experience (your or someone you know) that you can share with me?

My hair is too thin/straight to curl with rollers, curling iron etc. I had curls done for my wedding and they unraveled by the time the reception rolled around!

TIA!

 

[Erin]

DON''T DO IT!

Now that I have your attention.... I, too, have straight thin hair. I got a loose, loose perm with big, big rollers. It came out really curly (way too curly) and two years later I''m still cutting the ends of my hair off from the damage the chemicals caused.

 

[kama_s]

Whoa. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I guess this is going to be scratched off from my list permanently.

Thanks for sharing your story. So sorry about your bad perm. Often hair salons don''t tell you these things - I guess it means more money for them?

 

[whitby_2773]

hi kama_s

i have fine hair and i did one of those bodywave perms too some years back.

it went totally frizzy and i looked like Ronald MacDonald on speed.

i'm with starset princess - don't do it!

 

[kama_s]

Date: 2/24/2010 1:01:03 PM
Author: whitby_2773
hi kama_s

i have fine hair and i did one of those bodywave perms too some years back.

it went totally frizzy and i looked like Ronald MacDonald on speed.

i''m with starset princess - don''t do it!

I wonder why these procedures are so readily available and recommended when they''re so harmful? Thanks for sharing your story, Whitby. I''ll just have to live with my bleh hair!

LOL @ Ronald McD on speed!

 

[Ara Ann]

Have you tried sleeping in some soft foam curlers? Not the sponge ones with the hard plastic clips, but they make some that have bendy wire things on the ends and are covered in soft fabric, not bad to sleep on. Your hair is long enough to try this, you wouldn''t have to wind them up tight to the roots either... I also have straight thick hair that doesn''t hold a curl and have slept in rollers...I wash my hair at night and roll it up while still damp. I don''t do it often, but it''s fun once in a while and no chemicals or perm damage either!

 

[cellentani]

Well, I know perms can be very damaging, but I''m on my 3rd consecutive body wave (done at my salon), and must say, I really like them. The kind I get doesn''t have ammonia, so they''re very gentle. When I first started perming some 30-plus years ago, the perms were extremely harsh, and I really noticed a difference in the texture of my hair, especially when wet. With the ammonia-free wave, I swear I can''t tell a difference - my hair feels the same, and I don''t feel like I have to lay on the heavy-duty conditioner.

My hair is a few inches past shoulder length, and I had my stylist use 1-inch perm rods for a loose wave. Mine last a long time, but I usually get one every 9 months or so, simply because it grows out and the roots are flat. One thing that hasn''t changed is the smell, and how ridiculous you look with rollers, cotton, and a clear shower cap on your head!

 

[monarch64]

Have you tried curling your hair with a flat iron? There was a whole thread about it here not long ago, and i swear it changed my life!

 

[kama_s]

Date: 2/24/2010 1:08:49 PM
Author: Ara Ann
Have you tried sleeping in some soft foam curlers? Not the sponge ones with the hard plastic clips, but they make some that have bendy wire things on the ends and are covered in soft fabric, not bad to sleep on. Your hair is long enough to try this, you wouldn''t have to wind them up tight to the roots either... I also have straight thick hair that doesn''t hold a curl and have slept in rollers...I wash my hair at night and roll it up while still damp. I don''t do it often, but it''s fun once in a while and no chemicals or perm damage either!

I did once own those long foam rollers - not sure if I still have them. I pretty much tried EVERY single curling system out there during University! Is that what you use? I''m curious now, would love to try our your trick! Would you be any chance have a pic/link of your rollers or something close to it?

 

[kama_s]

Date: 2/24/2010 1:24:31 PM
Author: monarch64
Have you tried curling your hair with a flat iron? There was a whole thread about it here not long ago, and i swear it changed my life!

Done, and done. Nothing works. *sigh* A curling iron, even when I use a setting spray, lasts 30 min to an hour max.

 

[kama_s]

Date: 2/24/2010 1:23:22 PM
Author: cellentani
Well, I know perms can be very damaging, but I''m on my 3rd consecutive body wave (done at my salon), and must say, I really like them. The kind I get doesn''t have ammonia, so they''re very gentle. When I first started perming some 30-plus years ago, the perms were extremely harsh, and I really noticed a difference in the texture of my hair, especially when wet. With the ammonia-free wave, I swear I can''t tell a difference - my hair feels the same, and I don''t feel like I have to lay on the heavy-duty conditioner.

My hair is a few inches past shoulder length, and I had my stylist use 1-inch perm rods for a loose wave. Mine last a long time, but I usually get one every 9 months or so, simply because it grows out and the roots are flat. One thing that hasn''t changed is the smell, and how ridiculous you look with rollers, cotton, and a clear shower cap on your head!

Oh, interesting. I''ll probably ask my hair stylist if they use ammonia or not. That said, I think I''m a little scarred with the previous comments - might be too chicken to try it out.

Do you have a pic of your hair from behind that you can share with me? If you''re not comfortable, then don''t worry about it! I was just wondering how the perm would look on.

 

[MonkeyPie]

Have you tried rolling your wet hair at night up in strips of an old t-shirt? I do this on occasion and it makes the prettiest curls in the morning, and it is comfortable to sleep on.

I think the body wave may actually be easier on hair that is already curly...I have been considering it, since my hair is very fine but curly.

 

[TooPatient]

I''ve got the fine straight hair too. Forget curling irons, rollers and all that. (I LOVE my hair when it is permed)

I''ve had my hair permed a number of times (10-12 times?)(each a long story) starting at the age of 7 and found what works best for my hair. My hair is still very fine and soft and I''ve gotten comments from people (usually as they are rolling my hair for the 2nd time -- see below) that I really need to color and/or perm more often to damage it some -- then it will hold curls better.


Quick summary of my perm experience:

Make appointment -- "My hair WILL NOT hold a perm unless you use the extra strong solution and make tight curls.", "Sure, whatever - we''ll order it"
Go to appointment. She washes & trims a bit and then gets to the perm. The rolling takes FOREVER. She sticks the solution on my head and I am relieved that it isn''t burning too bad. (oops). She finishes up and everything looks fine. I''m super careful to follow all of the after-perm requirements (no washing, be careful).
After 2 days, I call back and say "My hair is STRAIGHT.", they are shocked and tell me to come back in a couple of days and they''ll do it again (no charge).
Back in to try again.
Repeat washing and rolling -- except extra tight (yes, it hurts) on the little curlers. Then comes the solution. It BURNS. They are worried because it is so strong - if it burns, they need to wash it out so they keep asking how it feels "fine". Does it burn? "NO" (Of course it does - my scalp is red for many days after) They leave it on longer than the first solution. Rinsing is interesting since my hair is curled so tight it is hard to get my head in the sink and when I do, my neck doesn''t want to hold the weight of all those curlers.
Taking the curlers out takes a long time (last one I had done went until after their closing time so I had 3 people pulling curlers out).


Anyway, after all that my hair looks GREAT. Curls are a bit tight for the first week but loosen nicely and I LOVE my hair for about 6 months. And then it is too loose for my taste but I wait because my scalp still hurts at the mere thought of a perm. It has been 6 years since my last perm.


My advice if you do get a perm:
If your hair doesn''t hold the curl, they WILL re-do it at no charge. Just ask them and don''t take no for an answer.

 

[kama_s]

TooPatient: Eeks. I don''t think I can take the pain of a burning scalp. I think I''ll just have to settle for being content with my hair as is!

MP: Old t-shirt, huh! That sounds intriguing. But, I don''t know how I''d roll with a strip of cloth? Help?

 

[sbde]

Date: 2/24/2010 12:46:44 PM
Author: Starset Princess
DON''T DO IT!

Now that I have your attention.... I, too, have straight thin hair. I got a loose, loose perm with big, big rollers. It came out really curly (way too curly) and two years later I''m still cutting the ends of my hair off from the damage the chemicals caused.

+1

 

[cellentani]

Date: 2/24/2010 1:28:50 PM
Author: kama_s

Date: 2/24/2010 1:23:22 PM
Author: cellentani
Well, I know perms can be very damaging, but I''m on my 3rd consecutive body wave (done at my salon), and must say, I really like them. The kind I get doesn''t have ammonia, so they''re very gentle. When I first started perming some 30-plus years ago, the perms were extremely harsh, and I really noticed a difference in the texture of my hair, especially when wet. With the ammonia-free wave, I swear I can''t tell a difference - my hair feels the same, and I don''t feel like I have to lay on the heavy-duty conditioner.

My hair is a few inches past shoulder length, and I had my stylist use 1-inch perm rods for a loose wave. Mine last a long time, but I usually get one every 9 months or so, simply because it grows out and the roots are flat. One thing that hasn''t changed is the smell, and how ridiculous you look with rollers, cotton, and a clear shower cap on your head!

Oh, interesting. I''ll probably ask my hair stylist if they use ammonia or not. That said, I think I''m a little scarred with the previous comments - might be too chicken to try it out.

Do you have a pic of your hair from behind that you can share with me? If you''re not comfortable, then don''t worry about it! I was just wondering how the perm would look on.

I''d be happy to post a pic - just give me some time, lol!

The trick for me was to insist on 1-inch rollers - I really wanted waves, not curls, so anything smaller was just too tight for me. I can''t tell you how many times I was told that such a large curl wouldn''t last, but on my hair, it does. Plus, I''d rather start cautiously and redo it after a couple months, than have frizzy, too curly hair.

I just called my stylist, and he uses Oligo (pronounced "oh - lee - go") and he confirmed that it is indeed ammonia free.

Also, I try to baby my hair immediately following the perm - no washing for 2 days, and no ponytails or blowouts for a couple weeks (nothing to stretch the hair). But after that, I can wash and go (just apply product and scrunch), or I can blowdry it straight. I did the latter for the DC GTG, and you can''t even tell there''s any curl in my hair. I like being able to switch it up.

Okay, I''ll work on getting pics tonight!

 

[kama_s]

Date: 2/24/2010 2:48:51 PM
Author: cellentani
I''d be happy to post a pic - just give me some time, lol!

The trick for me was to insist on 1-inch rollers - I really wanted waves, not curls, so anything smaller was just too tight for me. I can''t tell you how many times I was told that such a large curl wouldn''t last, but on my hair, it does. Plus, I''d rather start cautiously and redo it after a couple months, than have frizzy, too curly hair.

I just called my stylist, and he uses Oligo (pronounced ''oh - lee - go'') and he confirmed that it is indeed ammonia free.

Also, I try to baby my hair immediately following the perm - no washing for 2 days, and no ponytails or blowouts for a couple weeks (nothing to stretch the hair). But after that, I can wash and go (just apply product and scrunch), or I can blowdry it straight. I did the latter for the DC GTG, and you can''t even tell there''s any curl in my hair. I like being able to switch it up.

Okay, I''ll work on getting pics tonight!

Wow! Nice. That really does sound promising. Okay, so 1" rollers, ammonia free and Oligo. I''m going in for a haircut on Friday, I''ll ask my stylist about the products they use for perming.

Checked out your pic on the DC GTG thread - I really can''t tell your hair is permed at all! I''d like to switch it up between wavy and straight, so that gives me hope.

What would be your normal hair routine with permed hair? Will it still be wavy if air-dried?

Thanks for all your help!

 

[geckodani]

Kama - I have that crazy straight hair too, and I've got a ton of it. I tried EVERYTHING to get curls to stay, and was about to try a perm when I got basically the same advice given here - DON'T DO IT!

Embrace your straight hair, LOL. There are women that spend ages with a flat iron to get what nature gave you.

In my case I embraced my straight hairness by chopping it all off (it spikes beautifully - which wouldn't work with curly hair)!

 

[Ara Ann]

Date: 2/24/2010 1:24:48 PM
Author: kama_s

Date: 2/24/2010 1:08:49 PM

Author: Ara Ann

Have you tried sleeping in some soft foam curlers? Not the sponge ones with the hard plastic clips, but they make some that have bendy wire things on the ends and are covered in soft fabric, not bad to sleep on. Your hair is long enough to try this, you wouldn''t have to wind them up tight to the roots either... I also have straight thick hair that doesn''t hold a curl and have slept in rollers...I wash my hair at night and roll it up while still damp. I don''t do it often, but it''s fun once in a while and no chemicals or perm damage either!

I did once own those long foam rollers - not sure if I still have them. I pretty much tried EVERY single curling system out there during University! Is that what you use? I''m curious now, would love to try our your trick! Would you be any chance have a pic/link of your rollers or something close to it?

I don''t own these, but this is what I was talking about! They look like little pillows!

http://www.tenderheaded.com/goodpilsofro.html

Good luck with your curl quest!

 

[Prana]

I have asked about having this done several times, and was told each time by the stylist NOT TO DO IT!

 

[MonkeyPie]

Date: 2/24/2010 2:20:35 PM
Author: kama_s
MP: Old t-shirt, huh! That sounds intriguing. But, I don''t know how I''d roll with a strip of cloth? Help?

Take a strip of t-shirt (about an inch in width, long enough to tie in a bow) and when your hair is still wet, lay the strip out lengthwise against the tips of your hair, roll it up towards your scalp, and tie it in a bow as close to the scalp as possible. Next morning when it is dry, take them all out, shake out the curls, and go!

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Date: 2/24/2010 4:45:11 PM
Author: MonkeyPie

Date: 2/24/2010 2:20:35 PM
Author: kama_s
MP: Old t-shirt, huh! That sounds intriguing. But, I don''t know how I''d roll with a strip of cloth? Help?

Take a strip of t-shirt (about an inch in width, long enough to tie in a bow) and when your hair is still wet, lay the strip out lengthwise against the tips of your hair, roll it up towards your scalp, and tie it in a bow as close to the scalp as possible. Next morning when it is dry, take them all out, shake out the curls, and go!

Or if you don''t want to use a t-shirt - paper bags; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoZ2QGq0n4A

 

[onvacation]

Date: 2/24/2010 5:32:57 PM
Author: LaurenThePartier

Date: 2/24/2010 4:45:11 PM

Author: MonkeyPie

Date: 2/24/2010 2:20:35 PM

Author: kama_s

MP: Old t-shirt, huh! That sounds intriguing. But, I don''t know how I''d roll with a strip of cloth? Help?

Take a strip of t-shirt (about an inch in width, long enough to tie in a bow) and when your hair is still wet, lay the strip out lengthwise against the tips of your hair, roll it up towards your scalp, and tie it in a bow as close to the scalp as possible. Next morning when it is dry, take them all out, shake out the curls, and go!

Or if you don''t want to use a t-shirt - paper bags; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoZ2QGq0n4A

That is the video that came to my mind as soon as I read Monkie Pie''s T-shirt comment. But I don''t really like how the curls turned out, let alone the fact that it looks like it takes forever and a day to wrap all those strands up. MonkiePie, do the curls come out better when you use the T-shirt strips?

 

[cellentani]

Date: 2/24/2010 3:11:05 PM
Author: kama_s
Wow! Nice. That really does sound promising. Okay, so 1'' rollers, ammonia free and Oligo. I''m going in for a haircut on Friday, I''ll ask my stylist about the products they use for perming.

Checked out your pic on the DC GTG thread - I really can''t tell your hair is permed at all! I''d like to switch it up between wavy and straight, so that gives me hope.

What would be your normal hair routine with permed hair? Will it still be wavy if air-dried?

Thanks for all your help!

Okay, here''s my hair just after a shower - my normal routine is to apply about a nickel-size amount of Jonathon Product Create Weightless Smooth, scrunch, and air dry. My hair is always more wavy when it''s wet.

 

[elle_chris]

I have to agree with the ladies DONT DO IT.

I never thought a bodywave/perm wouldn''t take until my mom had it done. She has very thick, coarse, pin straight hair. She had a body wave done and like TooPatient, it held for all of two days. They also wanted her to come back and have it re-done, but it burned her scalp the first and she wasn''t going to go through it again.

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Date: 2/24/2010 7:29:14 PM
Author: cellentani

Date: 2/24/2010 3:11:05 PM
Author: kama_s
Wow! Nice. That really does sound promising. Okay, so 1'' rollers, ammonia free and Oligo. I''m going in for a haircut on Friday, I''ll ask my stylist about the products they use for perming.

Checked out your pic on the DC GTG thread - I really can''t tell your hair is permed at all! I''d like to switch it up between wavy and straight, so that gives me hope.

What would be your normal hair routine with permed hair? Will it still be wavy if air-dried?

Thanks for all your help!

Okay, here''s my hair just after a shower - my normal routine is to apply about a nickel-size amount of Jonathon Product Create Weightless Smooth, scrunch, and air dry. My hair is always more wavy when it''s wet.

Cellantini, your hair is gorgeous!!!!!!!

 

[cellentani]

When it's slightly damp to mostly dry, I apply a dime-size amount of Jonathon Product Silky Dirt - it helps give that piecey, separated look. If I used a hair dryer with a diffuser, it would stay curlier. I'm trying to remember when I got this body wave - I'm pretty sure it's been at least 3 months.

ETA: I just checked, and I got this perm in October. I had the layers trimmed about 3 weeks ago, but any wave is from 4 months ago.

 

[cellentani]

Date: 2/24/2010 7:31:20 PM
Author: LaurenThePartier

Cellantini, your hair is gorgeous!!!!!!!

Oh wow, thanks Lauren! I so rarely see the back of my hair - it''s a little weird, lol.

 

[kama_s]

Gecko: That''s what I''m leaning towards as well. I think I''m too chicken to try it out, when there''s a good chance I''ll be crying over the results after! I LOVE your spiked hair - saw your pic with your cute as a button nephew!

Ara Ann: I actually did have two packets of those rollers!! They didn''t seem to do much for me, would just slip right off within 15 minutes. Boo.

Girlface: Thanks for your input. Good thing you have a great stylist who tells you how it is.

MonkeyPie: That does sound pretty interesting. It would be so much easier to sleep with that rather than rollers. I wonder if they would stay put in my hair. Will definitely try it out. Thanks!

LTP: Her curls came out so damn awesome! I really doubt those things would stay in my hair all night, and they do look like it might take me forever. My other problem is that I just can''t be bothered to waste an hour on my hair! It takes a lot of patience, and sadly that isn''t one of my better virtues.

Onvacation: My thoughts exactly (re: the time). I did like how the curls looked the next day though.

Elle_Chris: The scalp burning is an absolute turn-off for me. I refuse to burn skin for the sake of vanity!

 

[kama_s]

Date: 2/24/2010 7:36:01 PM
Author: cellentani
When it''s slightly damp to mostly dry, I apply a dime-size amount of Jonathon Product Silky Dirt - it helps give that piecey, separated look. If I used a hair dryer with a diffuser, it would stay curlier. I''m trying to remember when I got this body wave - I''m pretty sure it''s been at least 3 months.

ETA: I just checked, and I got this perm in October. I had the layers trimmed about 3 weeks ago, but any wave is from 4 months ago.

Absolutely gorgeous hair, Cellentani! I LOVE your curls! They''ve lasted quite a while for you too. Thanks for all the tips and tricks as well.

That said, I think I have decided against perming my hair. I''ll speak to my stylist on Friday when I go in for a cut and mentioned the ammonia free perm you got, but I most likely will not go ahead with it.

I should just buy a wig