Whether Or Not to Perm and Color Your Hair

Over the years I have noticed that many hair stylistsMany years ago when chemical hair coloring was first
are confused as to whether or not to perm hair thatused the chemical make up of a permanent hair color
has been colored. My clients have told me that hairwas very different from those used today. In those
stylists have instructed them not to have a perm ifdays, the hair colorist had to literally stand next to
their hair has been colored with a permanent hairthe client the entire time, watching the color
color. There are also hair stylists that don't want todeveloping and if s/he missed the right time to wash
perm hair at all, but that is another story.the color off, (leaving it on one minute too long) the
Many women are not happy with that theory,color would turn black.
especially those who look bad in flat hair. There are aHowever, hair stylists continue to repeat the same
lot of unhappy women walking around with flat andthing, not to color and perm your hair. Never
straight hair because their hair stylist believes thatquestioning what has now become a myth.
colored hair could not be permed. Why do hair stylistsThe second reason why some hair stylists don't want
say this?to perm hair that has been colored with a permanent
For many years now, I have permed my client's hairhair color is because they think that it damaging the
that has been colored. I have also done the same tohair. There is no doubt that it dries the hair out
my own hair - I have highlights.somewhat - dry hair means that the cuticles are
One major reason is that people repeat things thatslightly raised - yet hair is able to cope with this.
may have been true (or untrue) in the past but haveHair is an incredibly strong fiber that can withstand all
since been proven wrong.kinds of handling, chemical and otherwise. You see
This is what happened with the idea of not permingthe proof all around you. Which is a good thing. What
hair that has been colored with permanent color.would we do if it weren't?