How to Give a Straight Perm

If you want a permanent alternative to curly locks, use a relaxer to straighten your hair.

Straightening perms, often referred to as hair relaxers, penetrate the hair shaft and alter the curl pattern of the hair from curly or kinky to straight. Hair relaxers can be applied to the entire head for virgin hair -- hair that has never been relaxed -- or to new-growth only for hair that has previously relaxed ends. Learning to apply a relaxer yourself can save you money on salon services, but keep in mind that this chemical process can be painful and damaging to hair if you do not follow directions.

Things You'll Need

• Relaxer kit
• Petroleum jelly
• Applicator brush
• Wide-tooth comb
• Neutralizing shampoo
• Rubber gloves
• Old towel
• Plastic hair clips

Instructions

1. Protect your face, neck and hairline by applying petroleum jelly around the edges of your hair. Be sure to cover the areas just behind your ears. Also apply petroleum jelly to any areas of your scalp that might be irritated due to scratching.

2. Part your hair into four large sections with a wide-tooth comb. Do not allow the comb to scrape or otherwise irritate the scalp. Clip each section with a plastic hair clip to keep them separate.

3. 

   Gloves protect your hands from harsh agents in the relaxer solution.

   Put on protective gloves.

4. 

   Exceeding the timer could result in overprocessed or damaged hair.

   Mix the contents of the relaxer kit according to the instructions included inside the box. Pay close attention to the maximum processing time allotted for your hair type.

5. 

   Use plastic clips to keep hair out of your way.

   Unclip one of the four large sections of hair. Use the applicator brush to apply relaxer solution to new growth beginning with the outer rim of the section. Work the relaxer through the entire section by making smaller parts with the pointed end of the applicator brush.

6. 

   Virgin hair is hair that has never been relaxed.

   Be careful not to apply relaxer directly to your scalp or to the previously permed ends of your hair. If your hair is "virgin hair" (or hair that has never been chemically processed before), apply the relaxer solution to your hair from root to end. Repeat this process for all four sections.

7. Smooth the relaxer through unrelaxed hair or new growth using your glove-covered fingertips. Be careful not to pull hair or irritate the scalp. Continue to smooth hair until you reach the maximum allotted processing time.

8. 

   Rinse until all relaxer solution is gone.

   Rinse hair in warm water until the relaxer solution is no longer visible. Shampoo with a neutralizing shampoo until the relaxer solution is completely rinsed out of the hair. If relaxer is still present in the hair, the neutralizing shampoo will produce a pink lather.

9. Towel dry hair and condition and style as desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Use an old towel to protect your clothes and neck from product that falls during application.

• Wipe fallen product from your face and ears immediately.

• Have extra neutralizing shampoo on hand. Bottles provided in the kit are usually very small.

• Apply only to new growth to avoid damaging your hair.

• Consult a hair care professional for questions on which products to purchase for your hair type and scalp sensitivity.

• Avoid contact with eyes.

• Do not apply relaxer within 72 hours of shampooing your hair.

• Keep out of reach of children and pets.

References

• Roots of Nature Hair Relaxer Instructions
• Dark and Lovely