kai779•13h ago

I used to think a quick towel dry was fine for a perm until Mrs. Henderson's hair puffed up like a startled cat in my chair.

Now I always use a diffuser on a low, cool setting for the first dry, a change I made after that humid Tuesday in July when she looked in the mirror and said, 'Oh, dear, I've gone feral.'

2 comments

2 Comments

ericjackson10h ago

Honestly that line about going feral is too real. I read a thing from a stylist who said a wet perm is basically a temporary contract with gravity, and heat or rough drying breaks it immediately. Tbh I messed up my own hair once by using a regular towel, got that exact startled cat puff. Now I'm religious about the low cool diffuser thing, it's the only way to keep the shape without frying it.

ivancoleman8h ago

But come on, is it really that big of a deal? I've seen people just air dry their perms and they look fine. Ericjackson's gravity contract thing sounds a bit extra to me. Maybe some hair just can't handle a towel.