Daughter Wants Curly Hair

I definitely would leave that to the professionals. I am a hairdresser (not working in a salon now, but raising my children so this wouldn't benefit me at all). I have seen the messes that come into the salon when home perms are tried. Because no chemical has been put on your daughter's hair, the first perm she will get may be a little weaker than if it was the second or thereafter. The chemicals that are used in the salon are formulated to specific hair types (one being virgin hair (what we call hair that has no previous chemical service performed on it.) I would though wait until she is about 12 years old to get a chemical service done on her. That is about the age that a good hairdresser that isn't out for your money but honest would reccomend.

I gave my neice a perm when she was that age. It was the same kind of thing: one part curly one part straight. It was cute but it didn't take very well and ended up washing out pretty quickly. I'd take her to a salon. I know everyone's suggesting rollers and such but my goodness what a pain! Her hair is not going to be ruined so don't worry about that but she might get a little boost of confidence if she feels her hair looks pretty! Who doesn't!

I have done many home perms. I would try that first if you are comfortable doing it. It will cost less and if she doesn't like it, you are out less money.

Have you considered just setting her hair at night before she goes to bed? Using those foam rollers after a bath? They are easier to sleep on and in the morning she could have curly hair without it being permanent. Then she could see if it is truly what she wants.

Hi J.,

Just my opinion, but I don't think I would give her at perm at this age. Their hair is so fragile right now. Have you just tried to put her in those big velcro curlers, or use a straightener. They sell things at Walgreens etc. that will help soften her hair. Also when you blow dry it use a round brush, that would look pretty. If you decide on a perm, I would take her to a Salon. They have more experience with the chemicals. Hope this helps a little. Please feel free and email me if you have any other questions or suggestions. I do know of a couple of Salons if you decide to go that route.

S. S.
SAHM to the love of my life,son, 9 yrs. old, oh and my husband (LOL) of 11 yrs. :)

Hi J., have you tried garnier fructise for curly hair? I use it and it's great! I use the shampoo and conditioner along with the leave in conditioner and spray gel. You just spray it on and scrunch her har. Please don't perm it! As someone who always thought I just had thick, wavy, frizzy hair and thought a perm would help, don't! It's even worse after the perm. This is a much cheaper solution. I hope you find something that helps her hair to be how she would like it. L.

Hello,

I would not give her a home perm!! I have never done it at home, but two of my friends parents did it to them when we were about 16 and they both turned out horrible!!!They both had spiral perms it never really looked good to begin with then after a few weeks it just got frizzy and nasty- they both had to use gel and scrunch there hair just for it to look decent and then it took over a year for it to compleatly fall out. Lets just say they both regreted it.
My mom let me have a perm when I was about 10- it was a wave perm instead of curls- it really just looked like a bunch of thick loose curls and i really liked it. Winter is the time to get them done too because of how careful you have to be with permed hair and heat, water, and chlorine. They are so cheap now I would just go ahead and have a salon do it. I know I have seen them at the salon I go to for 30 dollars. Another thing you may have to worry about to is whether her hair will take a perm, the 1st time I had one it was professional and my hair did not take it, but the 2nd time worked like a charm. I do remeber it burning super bad to- so if I were you I would let her know what to expect, I thought my head was on fire.

Good luck!!!
A.

She very well might have curly hair once she gets into her teens. That's what happened to me, then it went straight again when I got pregnant.

I would go to a salon and maybe just have them do a body wave, or they could just straighten the rest out. Initially straightening can be a process though. The ones they have out now you have to have it done, then you can't wash it for a couple days and you have to go back to get it ironed for a final time. The wave might be the way to go because she could still dry it straight if she wanted to. They can help her at the salon with taking care of the frizz that comes with that kind of hair. I know how she feels!

Try putting in those soft foam curlers that wrap around the hair. My mom put those in my hair at night after my bath and I would sleep in them. My hair would stay curly for 2-3 days. This way you don't have to put any toxic products on her hair and you wouldn't have to use a curling iron as well.

Good luck