Getting your hair permed involves use of chemicals to break and reform the disulfide bonds of the hair. The hair is washed and wrapped on a perm rod and waving lotion is applied with a base. The hair swells and softens and stretches. The hair then molds around the shape of the perm rod. After a specified period of time, the hair is rinsed and a neutraliser is applied. It is the neutralizing solution that reforms the disulfide bonds of the hair and sets the new curls.

Perms can also be used for hair straightening. However this is a tedious and time-consuming process, where the stylist has to first apply a perming lotion to your hair and follow this with combing your hair, as long as directed by the lotion. Sometimes, as much as 20 minutes of combing will be required to straighten your hair. There are different types of lotions used for perming hair, and they can be acidic or alkaline in nature, depending on its pH.

Once you've decided that your hair is healthy and you can perm your own hair at home, you'll need to decide what kind of a perm you'd like. Are you going for a completely new style? Do you just want to add a little texture to the style you have? Do you want something super curly? A perm is great if you have naturally straight hair and you want to be able to do more styles with it. A perm makes hard to curl hair more versatile and easier to manage. You'll still be able to wear it straight if you'd like, but if you like to shake things up a little sometimes and go curly, the perm will make your hair more pliable and will help it to hold whatever style you can dream up.

If you decide to perm your hair, make sure that you have made it clear whether it looks good on you. If it doesn't suit you then the whole idea of keeping the perm is lost. Different hair types would need different ways of getting their perm done. When getting your hair permed keep in mind that you should have extra long hair and it should be in good condition which means well-conditioned and moisturizing.

One step I have taken is to purchase a shower-filter that filters out chlorine. I have one in my home. It's not expensive and is healthier for your hair. Your hair will have a better surviving chance without chlorine!You will be surprised! You will be able to tell the difference in the condition of your hair. You will actually feel the difference in the softness. Also it will be less dry and brittle.

If there are certain foods for the skin, the glow and shine of our hair also comes from within. Food rich in Vitamin A and C can help you produce sebum, which is produced in the scalp, and it moisturizes the hair naturally. It can be found in green vegetables like spinach and broccoli as well. Aside from that, a healthy and balanced diet is needed to have that healthy, glowing hair. Fruits, legumes, whole grains and lean proteins can be your way to a healthier hair and a healthier body as well.

This is what happened with the idea of not perming hair that has been colored with permanent color. Many years ago when chemical hair coloring was first used the chemical make up of a permanent hair color was very different from those used today. In those days, the hair colorist had to literally stand next to the client the entire time, watching the color developing and if s/he missed the right time to wash the color off, (leaving it on one minute too long) the color would turn black.