Perming Curly Hair

Many people think that curly hair is impossible to perm--but it isn't. In fact, because perms add extra wave and body to your hair, this can be the exact procedure you need to achieve more defined curls and an all-around fuller look. However, you must keep your hair healthy to ensure that any type of heating or chemical procedure doesn't damage your hair, leading to breakage. Perming can also cause already curly hair to frizz or lose even more of its shape. So maintain a healthy hair regimen and feel free to give those curls a boost.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Review the various perming and chemical options that most salons offer today. Their services can make hair slightly wavy or extremely curly.

2. See a stylist or hair care professional to ensure that your hair, its texture and health (or lack thereof) will withstand the harsh chemicals and heat treatments that usually accompany a perm. Though this may sound like a disclaimer that comes along with any change to your normal daily regimen, it is an important safeguard, as you don't want to fry your hair beyond disrepair or end up with a kink that you didn't want. Curls come in a variety of shapes, sizes and volumes, so be sure that yours will withstand any type of procedure.

3. Test out what the various perming options might look like with your hair. Use different sized rollers and curling irons to play around with your hair texture and see how it responds to heat and shaping options. This gives you an idea of how easy or difficult your hair's texture and shape is to work with.

4. Opt to only perm certain areas of your head if your hair's body is inconsistent. For example, if the sides tend to hold large, boisterous curls, but the back is always extremely relaxed, you could perm the back of your head to achieve a unified look.

5. Get an acid wave--or a mild perm--if your hair is already substantially curly. An acid wave produces looser curls, whereas a standard alkaline wave usually results in tight curls, which could be exacerbated by already curly hair.

6. Consider giving yourself a perm with an at-home perming kit. Shampoo and condition your hair and comb it as best you can to remove any kinks and knots. Divide your head into four parts, and begin wrapping one section of your hair around the rods. Begin at the tip and move up to the root. How tightly you wrap your hair determines how tight or defined the curls turn out. Apply the accompanying perming solution and follow the directions that are specific to your perming kit.

7. Deep condition your hair every week to every month after getting it permed. This locks moisture in and prevents the damage that naturally occurs everyday, especially to chemically treated hair.

8. Use leave-in conditioner a few times a week after showering to prevent future damage and combat the harsh elements, such as high winds, dry temperatures, humidity and rain.

Tips & Warnings

• If your hair is curly and color treated, you may have to resort to obtaining a perm at a hair salon, where they are more equipped to work with already treated hair.
• Keep your hair moisturized, as treatments can strip the hair of natural oils.
• Do not wash your hair directly after perming. Experts say to wait anywhere from 24 hours to 3 days before getting newly permed hair wet. Consult the directions on your perming box or a haircare professional to find out what amount of time is right for your treatment.

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