STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

chloe · BCBG

straight perm?

crystal · Kate Spade

well, i think straight perm is the same as japanese straightening/thermal reconditioning and although it's widely publicized and accepted, i've heard it really wreaks havoc on ur hair. not so much the first time, but u have to continue getting it done (unless u want frizzy roots for the world to see) & when u get it done multiple times it's very damaging. i know it's a BIG no-no if u've had color treatment, but sounds like u haven't. i would just consider if u want to commit to something like this. maybe ur flat iron isn't that great? i know heat isn't that great for ur hair either, but the CHI iron is supposed to be the best when it comes to flat irons & there's no commitment w/ heat styling (plus u can use products discussed in the thread about products for flat iron users). whatever u decide, good luck!

chloe · BCBG

thanks for your advice! i def have to think about it some more ..im so unsure. my hair is just a pain in the ass sometimes!

rocky · Coach

I have gotten the Japanese method many times. I would recommend researching for a good stylist, a great straight perm will look good for a year. I really love my hair when it is permed, it is so easy to just wash my hair and go. There is damage involved, but the damage is not as bad as straight ironing your hair daily! Usually if you wait at least 9 months before getting it permed again, your hair will not frizz up. And that is how long a good perm is supposed to last anyways.

One more thing, I have pretty course asian hair, so it can withstand more damage I guess. If you have fine hair then consult with the stylist first.

Not that all asians have course hair, just I am asian and I have course hair and the Japanese straight perm was probably originally developed for Japanese girls...no offense intended

-- Edited by rocky at 19:54, 2005-03-31

SheilsBabe · BCBG

I used to get straight perms to tame my curly hair. To clarify, the treatment I had done was not Japanese thermal reconditioning - it was actually the reverse of a normal perm and uses many of the same chemicals. I believe the process is simply called a straight perm (different from relaxing and thermal reconditioning) but I'm not positive. It cost about $110 for my semi-thick, below the shoulder hair.

My hair started breaking after my 3rd straight perm (I had to get them every 6 months, btw). Because the treatment didn't completely smooth my hair, I still used a flat iron on a daily basis, and combination of the treatment and heat was too much for my hair to take. The breakage wasn't too horrible - a few inches at the nape of my neck came off - but it was enough to make me swear off straightening treatments. I now rely on a blowdryer and a high quality flat iron (I use the Sedu, it goes for about $120 on folica.com). My hair is in much better condition (all the hair that broke off has grown back) and I don't have to shell out $100+ every 6 months for the treatments.

Of course, my experience may not apply to you at all. Straight perms can definitely make your life easier and a lot of girls have success with them. Just my 2 cents!

erin · Chanel

depending on how curly your hair is, the perm that sheilsbabe is talking about can be a good or bad experience! if your hair is pretty curly, i dont really recommend it because you definitely need to get retouches more often, but if your hair is moderately curly and takes to straightening easily, its a nice option that will make your hair slightly less curly and you could probably go once a year to get it redone.

chloe · BCBG

quote:
Originally posted by: rocky
"I have gotten the Japanese method many times. I would recommend researching for a good stylist, a great straight perm will look good for a year. I really love my hair when it is permed, it is so easy to just wash my hair and go. There is damage involved, but the damage is not as bad as straight ironing your hair daily! Usually if you wait at least 9 months before getting it permed again, your hair will not frizz up. And that is how long a good perm is supposed to last anyways. One more thing, I have pretty course asian hair, so it can withstand more damage I guess. If you have fine hair then consult with the stylist first. Not that all asians have course hair, just I am asian and I have course hair and the Japanese straight perm was probably originally developed for Japanese girls...no offense intended -- Edited by rocky at 19:54, 2005-03-31"

lol rocky. Im Asian as well and i have pretty thick hair...or had pretty thick hair until my stylist thinned it out after complaining about how tough it was to deal with. Ive seen some asian girls with uber straight hair..like flat hair. That is not what i want...it just seems so lifeless to me. I just want straight, frizz less, shiny hair. Can you tell the hairdresser or whoever is performing the straight perm how straight you want it? I dont know if im making any sense.

oo btw are you in New York rocky? If so can you recommend a stylist ? THanks