How To Do A Reverse Perm At Home – A Step-By-Step Tutorial
Look nothing but stunning with smart and safe ways to straighten those waves.
Tiffany YoungCertified Trichology Practitioner
Expertise: Trichology
Experience: 6 years
Tiffany Young is the CEO and founder of ThinHairThick and a certified trichology practitioner with 6 years of experience. She is also a recognized expert in the hair and beauty industry with celebrity clientele. Her own personal struggles w... more
Expertise: Hairstyles, Hair Care, & Skin Care
Experience: 7 years
Anjali specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you... more
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If you want to go curly on some days and straight the others, we totally get you. If you are bored of your permed hair, try reverse perm at home! It involves straightening your permed curls at home. A solution is used to smoothen and straighten out the permed hair without causing damage.
At-home reverse perming is not only effective but also convenient, costs nothing compared to salons, and gives you the exact results you are looking for. Want to know how to reverse perm your hair? Give this post a read to get all the information along with post-treatment care tips. Scroll down!
In This Article
What Is Straight Perm?
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Straight perming is breaking down the bonds that create permanent curls or waves in the hair. A hot flat iron is used when the perm solution is applied to the hair. This promotes heat oxidization and makes the hair straight, soft, and smooth.
Here’s what you need before you start the process.
What You Need For Straight Perm Process
- Natural shampoo and conditioner
- Straightening perm kit
- Gloves
- Vaseline
- Flat iron
- Shower cap
Check out the following section to master the process of a straight perm at home.
Steps To Straighten Perm At Home
- Prep Your Hair
It is essential to prep your hair before any chemical treatment. Chemical treatments are best done on unwashed hair.
- Divide The Hair Into Sections
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After towel drying your hair, detangle it. For this, separate your hair into 4-6 sections. If you have thick hair, divide it into multiple subsections for easy application of a chemical solution.
Note: If you have sensitive skin or scalp, do a patch test before applying any chemical solution. Apply Vaseline along the hairline and the back of the ears to prevent a burning sensation.
- Apply A Perming Solution
Apply the perm solution to each section of the hair, from root to tip. Avoid the scalp area. Comb the hair thoroughly to spread the solution evenly. Wrap a piece of paper and clip the end to weigh your hair down as much as possible. This process helps to create a straight effect naturally.
- Post-Care
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Apply a neutralizer after using the perming solution. Remove the paper and wash your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water. Also, follow the instructions given on the perm kit box. Do not apply any shampoo or conditioner unless mentioned in the instruction manual. Rinse the chemical from your hair with lukewarm water, followed by washing with normal water. Do not wrap or bunch your hair as it might make it wavy.
- Air Dry The Hair
Pat your tresses with a towel and let it dry naturally. If you have thick hair and struggling to air dry it, use a hairdryer.
- Use A Flat Iron
If you want to have a long-lasting straight perm, use a flat iron. Divide the hair into four sections and choose the appropriate heat setting depending on your hair type. If you have fine, damaged hair, keep the heat between 250 and 300 °F. For thick hair, 350 and 400 °F is ideal. Also, do not pull your hair too hard as it may cause breakage.
Note: Avoid washing the hair, creating buns, and pulling the hair back for at least 48 hours after the process. This will prevent the hair from kinking or forming bends.
Here’s how the hair looks after straightening a perm.
The Straight Perm – Before And After (With Picture)
Image: Youtube
You can also straighten your perm with the reverse perm technique. Check out the next section to know more about this process!
What Is Reverse Perm?
Reverse perm is a technique to take out curls from the hair. It is generally used to transform tight kinky curls into loose curls. This process is one of the healthy ways to get your perms straight naturally. You can straighten your kinky curls easily with a waving lotion or gel.
Image: Youtube
Check out the next section for tips on maintaining straight perm hair.
Care And Maintenance Of Straight Permed Hair
- Do not comb, pull, or bend your straight hair for at least 48 hours after the process.
- Use a natural shampoo and apply a deep conditioning mask after your straight perm settles down. This will nourish, hydrate, and rejuvenate your locks.
- Avoid tying the hair in buns or ponytails for a few days to prevent the formation of kinks or small waves.
To recap, a reverse perm is used to straighten permed curls. It is the opposite of a regular perm, where you break down the bonds to curl your hair. You can achieve a reverse perm at home using a waving lotion or gel to loosen tight curls. It is a safer alternative to straightening or relaxing coily hair. You can also try a reverse perm or light curls or wavy hair to achieve a straighter look. Once you reverse perm your hair, you should follow some maintenance tips to keep your hair healthy and damage-free, such as not tying your hair in tight ponytails or braids.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does olive oil get rid of perms?
A perm works by breaking down hair bonds and making it lighter. Olive oil can relax the wavy pattern of the perm and nourish the hair.
How long does it take for a perm to get out of your hair?
Depending on your hair type and texture, a perm could ideally last between 3-6 months.
Do you have to cut off your permed hair to go natural?
Yes. Your permed hair will never return to its natural state. However, if you do not want to compromise on the length of your hair, you can grow it out until you can chop off the perm-damaged part of the hair.
Key Takeaways
- To straighten permed hair at home you need a natural shampoo and conditioner, straightening perm kit, gloves, vaseline, a flat iron, and a shower cap.
- Apply perm solution to your hair, then straighten it with a flat iron to break down the bonds within your hair.
- A reverse perm is another way to straighten permed hair. Repeating this process a few times converts tight coily hair to loose curls, gradually becoming straighter.
