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Original poster

Should my 8 year old nephew have his hair permed?

92 replies

KateGrace · 02/04/2023 16:00

My 8 year old nephew has disclosed to his dad (my brother) this weekend that his mum is going to get his hair permed. My brother has asked his ex not to get it done as he is too young. She refuses to listen and has stated that she is going ahead with it anyway. Are we being unreasonable?

OP posts:
turtlemurtle1982 · 02/04/2023 17:43

I think permed/ curly hair is coming back in fashion for boys, but 8 is too young to be putting so many chemicals on the hair.

Maybebabyno2 · 02/04/2023 17:35

HazyDragon · 02/04/2023 17:31

I was thinking the same thing!

My son has curly hair on top and short sides, completely normal hair style for young black boys.

Are you only allowed a short back and sides if you have straight hair and a floppy fringe? 🙄

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Apparently so 🙄

HazyDragon · 02/04/2023 17:31

Maybebabyno2 · 02/04/2023 17:17

I get not wanting to perm young kids hair but why all the nasty comments about boys with curly hair? The 'llama look', 'look like Ronald mcdonald'.

Some kids actually have naturally curly hair which looks very simular if not the same. Maybe keep your opinions to yourself and not be nasty and insensitive.

I was thinking the same thing!

My son has curly hair on top and short sides, completely normal hair style for young black boys.

Are you only allowed a short back and sides if you have straight hair and a floppy fringe? 🙄

SophieJo · 02/04/2023 17:30

In one word- no!

Dreamysaurus · 02/04/2023 17:28

I'm surprised any 8 year old knows what a perm is!

Just stick to pokemon cards 😂

BellePeppa · 02/04/2023 17:25

SiobhanSharpe · 02/04/2023 17:08

So it's 'all the rage' this month -- what happens next month when it's old hat and just for saddos? But the poor 8-yr old is stuck with it while it grows out.

Cut it?

BellePeppa · 02/04/2023 17:24

MrsDoylesDoily · 02/04/2023 16:24

Exactly.

It makes me wonder if some people are living with the damaging after effects...

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Or at least the effects of something (man). I’m getting Dylan from Magic Roundabout vibes.

What does a perm on top even look like?! I can’t visualise it.

Porkandbeans1 · 02/04/2023 17:23

My best friend used to get her hair permed every few months when we were this age. I was always super jealous because my own mother was quite neglectful.

I let my DC do what they wanted with their hair. Obviously no crazy colours in school terms but they had all different colours in the school holidays. Let them experiment, it's only hair.

gettingoldisshit · 02/04/2023 17:22

Its the latest fashion among young boys! Its hair it will either grow out or he can cut it off! It's not a big deal! Mind your own business

MaryJean87 · 02/04/2023 17:21

I think it looks nice. It wouldn't last forever, I don't see the problem. I disagree more with babies having ear piercings they never asked for.

Maybebabyno2 · 02/04/2023 17:17

I get not wanting to perm young kids hair but why all the nasty comments about boys with curly hair? The 'llama look', 'look like Ronald mcdonald'.

Some kids actually have naturally curly hair which looks very simular if not the same. Maybe keep your opinions to yourself and not be nasty and insensitive.

SiobhanSharpe · 02/04/2023 17:08

So it's 'all the rage' this month -- what happens next month when it's old hat and just for saddos? But the poor 8-yr old is stuck with it while it grows out.

DrunkTrampolining · 02/04/2023 17:05

If it’s mums idea and the child is not interested, it’s very sad she’s using him like a fashion accessory.
And if it’s the 8 year old who wants it, you’ve got to wonder why. Most 8 year olds rightly don’t give much of a fuck about their hair.
I think his dad is right to be concerned and try to stop it.

Lacey247 · 02/04/2023 16:57

bcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyza · 02/04/2023 16:12

Boy in my sons class has it permed on top.

I know a 6 year old who’s had his hair permed

diddl · 02/04/2023 16:57

Think it's called a 'Meet me at McDonalds' hairstyle now.

No idea why though?

It gives them hair like Ronald?

Kaffiene · 02/04/2023 16:54

My 6 year old is desperate to have this “do” as all his older friends have it. By older I mean 8-12 year olds. So far we haven’t got round to it but I am not against it. It’s literally just the top of his head he wants curly. All this drama over a bit of perming solution that will grow out in a couple of months. Also wouldn’t bother me if he had blue hair for a bit. It’s just hair, it grows out.

defi · 02/04/2023 16:54

It's the current fashion, not something I'd get upset about.

diddl · 02/04/2023 16:53

Is it likely he told his dad because he doesn't want it doing?

Bananasinpjamas4567 · 02/04/2023 16:49

I think people are skirting around the really bad injuries that can be caused by perming lotion including skin burns, blindness and permanent hair loss (caused by burns). These risks are all relatively low when done by a proper professional but let’s face it, a proper professional is not going to risk their insurance by perming an 8 year old.

Thepeopleversuswork · 02/04/2023 16:47

But why? It's naff as fuck, expensive and damaging for the hair. Just don't see the upside.

Tellmethespoiler · 02/04/2023 16:47

Lochjeda · 02/04/2023 16:37

Yes what is the issue? My 10 year old has his done. He just grew it long enough and now its like he has short naturally curly hair and it looks lovely.

Lots of people have explained what the issue is. Decent hairdressers won’t do it- the child can’t give informed consent. Chemicals in your body are not a good idea. Irresponsible, crap parenting.

Dustyblue · 02/04/2023 16:47

The hairdressers over there must be waaay better than here in Oz!

Apparently, they don't even teach perming in the apprenticeship now. Shame really, I had my thin hair permed in my teens and loved the riot of curls (ahh, the 80's).

For an 8 y/o? Hmm, it's a lot of chemicals, and as I recall you have to sit in the chair for hours. My 6 y/o couldn't take it. And I wouldn't do it.

Lochjeda · 02/04/2023 16:39

Thepeopleversuswork · 02/04/2023 16:11

Even if the kid had wanted it, it's a no from me. Perming is incredibly damaging for hair. If a kid that age had begged to have their hair dyed blue would you do it?

Who on earth even perms their hair these days? I didn't think anyone had done it since the late 1980s?

Its damaging? Its a boy, hel likely be wanting it all shaved off in a couple of months! Its not like a girl who is going to keep it long and growing

Allmyghosts · 02/04/2023 16:39

I had my hair permed when i was young, the curls never really held and I had one roller break off so had a row of spiky hair on the top of my head for a bit haha. I obviously died from this, a cautionary tale.

Lochjeda · 02/04/2023 16:37

Yes what is the issue? My 10 year old has his done. He just grew it long enough and now its like he has short naturally curly hair and it looks lovely.