How to Reverse Perms for Black Women
In African American hair, perms relax the natural kinkiness of the hair and force the hair to straighten out. Before perms, African Americans straightened their hair with straightening combs, which required more upkeep since it wasn't permanent. Although a perm is more convenient, it can damage the hair. Once hair becomes relaxed, it must be maintained--having two different textures in the hair can actually cause breakage, so letting the hair transition back to its roots isn't a straightforward process. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Cut or trim permed hair. Since the dual textures--permed and natural--can cause breakage, you should get rid of the permed hair. All of the hair can be cut off, or just enough to leave an inch or two of new growth on the scalp. Also, an inch or two of permed hair can be trimmed from the ends of the hair, as an inch or two of new growth comes in.
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Fix the hair into a hairstyle that can be easily maintained without chemicals and will accommodate new growth. Braids and twists are styles that will help accommodate new growth and will not require upkeep from chemicals and heat. The tight curls of a straw set will help the new growth be less noticeable. The straw set style requires that you curl and set the hair with drinking straws, instead of hair rollers.
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Perform basic upkeep. Oil the hair to keep it from drying out. Avoid using products with petroleum and mineral oil--these products block the pores. In addition, massage your scalp to promote oil production, and get a hot oil treatment or deep conditioner every month. Also, don't wash the hair more than once a week, sleep with a silk or satin scarf over your hair, and use a leave-in conditioner after washing your hair.
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References
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