Why do people say perms are bad but straightening is ok?

[MintyTruffles]

If anyone asks about wanting to perm their hair to get curls/waves, everyone says no, don't do it!

Usually followed up with 'it went out of fashion for a reason!'

However, there are plenty threads encouraging people to buy new straighteners, heated rollers, tongs, hairdryers and other doo dads.

Surely all processes and heat devices harm hair?
Is this thinly disguised prejudice against curls or a very dated view of the world?
Most people out there have different hair types now and especially younger women are embracing natural texture more and more.

I had my hair permed last year and absolutely love it!

That's interesting! I would love to do it as have flat fuzzy hair and would love a proper curl pattern.
I know it can be rough on the hair but surely no more than bleaching, which is super common.

Did you start from straight hair? I presume the process is gentler than in the past, too?

I would LOVE a big bouncy 80s perm but my hair is bleached so I worry i would end up bald

Wouldn't straightening also harm bleached hair? I think people tolerate what they think is more fashionable a lot of the time.

I'd settle for some tousled waves at this point.

Isn't it the chemicals
In a perm whereas straightening damage is from heat?

I suppose i noticed it when I compared it to how many people encourage chemical straightening, keratin treatment, cloud nine's, dyson this and dyson that - all stress the hair out to some degree.
I can't see how a perm would be worse?

I remember friends having perms in the late 80's, some looked damaged but most were ok really. The extra tight spiral perms never seemed to work well.

I do think that contemporary marketing blindside's people into thinking harsh processes are good - if they create smooth hair!

Perm lotion is a chemical which dries the hair out making it very brittle.

Heat does the same but not to the same degree. And you can use heat protector. I've used heat on my hair my whole life and it's not damaged.

Perm lotion and chemical straightening are more damaging than some controllable heat

Ooh, can we see?? I am so tempted…

I would love a perm but they are so old fashioned now.

Desperately hoping they come back soon, kind of hanging on to middle aged longish hair while knowing I'm the age where is should be all chopped off in the hope I can get a perm before the Granny chop happens.

How can curled hair, whether natural or not, be old fashioned?

I'm seriously considering a perm. Menopause has made my hair a lot finer and I could do with more volume.

But I haven't seen them on any salons price lists.

Tbh, I think everyone would be up for it if it became an accepted trend.
We have seen countless things most mumsnetters would have shunned even 5 yrs ago become popular now. I doubt anyone on here would have embraced leggings with white socks, long puffers, or barrel jeans a 7 years ago.

I suppose I am saying that what people perceive as old fashioned is pretty questionable and fleeting. Many, many trends form the 80's are around.

One might say flattening the hair is dated, too. And since a lot of people seem to care what teenagers think, i rarely see any straightening their hair nowadays.

Like the bubble perms of the mid century on older ladies, we tend to cling to what we did when in our 'prime'. I think you see this a lot in my age range (50) where everyone has the same straightened hair with highlights.

Many hairdressers in our area are doing perms. I get mine done about twice a year the new formulas are not as damaging to hair especially if you use good quality products.

It's eight months since mine has been done and really needs done again. But it's still giving a bit of a curl and wave.

Its easy to deal with wash and scrunch I'm lazy 😂

It’s the perming solution. A lot of people dye their hair so the two combined can make your hair break off. You can vary a lot of the heat stylers and use a protective spray. Dyson and Shark use very low heat to dry and curl the hair.

My mum has a perm but she doesn’t dye her hair so not so bad for the hair. I think it’s because the age range that people have perms are more likely to be dying to cover grey.

The good old Perm is making a comeback in young men apparently! I also struggle to see the difference between chemical straightening and perming. I had a perm once and loved it.

Your hair looks quite naturally curly Seagulls! I wouldn't tell the difference at all.

I did hear about young men embracing the perm.

Remember the woman from T'Pau?
I think people associate perms with that, to be honest I love textured hair that has a mind of it's own! I think it was Carol Decker?? Amazing hair! I bet she irons the shit out of it now

I also loved Julia Sawalla (sp?) in the press gang, her natural curls were so exquisite. She is also flat and highlighted now.

It's def a trend thing.

I'm currently seriously considering a perm, I have 2B/C and would love a more formed curl pattern

Perming uses chemicals which cause the problem and results can vary person to person

Heat is more reliable and controlled when straightening hair

my hair was previously solid bleached and cropped…I had to fully grow that out first, took ages!
I think the chemicals are the same….they certainly smell the same as in 1988 😂

this was last April, had it redone in Dec and it’s a bit tighter, I think she used smaller rollers this time as it was longer.

i preferred it last time but still love it, it just needs to grow another inch to settle.
it’s so easy though and I love the ooomph it gives, my hair was poker straight before.

condition wise it’s fine, defo better than bleached. I use a deep conditioner on it and then some kind of product to define the curls.

defo recommend, it’s v easy to live with.

Pic

Try again!

Not a great photo of latest version.
i still have it coloured but with no bleach so would prob be better condition if i didnt.

id been wondering for ages about getting a perm, so glad I did!

My sons mate (18)had his hair permed and it looked fab, that’s what made me think fuck it I’ll get one (again!).
also thought well if it’s awful I’ll just go for a crop again, it’s only hair, it grows!

Perms are back in at the moment. Curly hair is coming back into fashion, lucky for me.

But basically, people prefer straight hair to curly and consider it more attractive and polished/neat. It's unfortunate but that's life.

Probably harder to guarantee a nice curl pattern/tightness with a perm as well.

But basically, people prefer straight hair to curly and consider it more attractive and polished/neat. It's unfortunate but that's life.

So how do you explain history prior to the late 90's?
No one wanted curls?
A good look through the last 12 centuries might surprise you indeed.

Remember Madchen Amik? I'd dare anyone to say her hair would look better straight (when young).
Most women conform, then believe their conformity is personal choice.