How to Do a Straight Perm at Home

Straight perms leave hair with a smooth, curl-free texture that lasts up to six months as long as your hair is healthy and damage-free. This two-step process uses chemicals to temporarily straighten out your hair. Always use with caution when applying chemical treatments on hair, especially when you are doing this process yourself at home. The chemicals are damaging to hair, occasionally leaving it course and frizzy.

Things You'll Need

• Butterfly clips
• Old towel
• Gloves
• Small-toothed comb
• Deep conditioner
• Towel

Instructions

1. Separate your hair into four equal sections. Leave down one section, and clip up the rest with butterfly or claw clips. You will want to work with one section at a time, which makes for easier application as well as thorough coverage. Wrap an old towel around your shoulders to prevent staining or dripping on your clothes.

2. Apply the straightening cream or lotion to the first section of completely dry hair with gloved hands or a kit brush. Begin at the roots, and work your way down, covering each strand completely. Comb the cream through the hair. Release your hair one section at a time, and repeat this process.

3. Leave the solution on for up to 10 minutes, depending on the hair type. Rinse the solution out completely, then wash your hair with the included neutralizing shampoo. Its special ingredients will keep the chemicals working properly, but regular shampoo may harm your hair.

4. Air-dry your hair completely, and separate it into four sections once again. Apply the neutralizing cream all over the section quickly, working from the roots to the ends. Repeat on each section until you cover the entire head.

5. Leave it on for 20 minutes or the time according to the box directions. Then, rinse out thoroughly with warm water.

6. Apply a deep conditioner. Leave the conditioner on for five minutes, and then rinse out. Towel-dry your hair since using heat at this time will leave hair frizzy and course.

Tips & Warnings

• Always do a strand test before application. Cut out a small piece of your own hair, and apply the straightening cream, rinse and shampoo it out. Apply the neutralizing cream, and then rinse your hair completely. Check to see if your hair takes to the chemicals. If so, continue on with the rest of the hair.

• Do not apply chemicals to the scalp if there are any lacerations or cuts; this will burn and cause pain.

References

• "Milady's Standard Textbook of Cosmetology"; Milady Publishing Company; 2008
• Style-Hair-Magazine.com: Chemical Hair Straightening: Is It for You