ABSTRACT
A permanent wave is designed to last three to four months. Curl relaxation occurs with time as the hair returns to its original conformation. Hairdressers generally will therefore select a curl tighter than the patient desires with this fact in mind. Most of the curl relaxation occurs within the first two weeks after processing, a fact that is reassuring to the patient who has had an undesirable result. Curl relaxation can be increased slightly by frequent shampooing beginning immediately following the permanent waving procedure. Some strong detergent shampoos, such as those recommended for seborrheic dermatitis, will cause curl relaxation more rapidly than conditioning shampoos. New hair growth also decreases the curled appearance of the hair. Patients with rapidly growing hair need to repeat the permanent waving procedure more frequently. Increased hair growth during pregnancy could account for the fact that some hairdressers note permanent waves do not “take” in pregnant women. Hair at the nape of the neck also has a decreased “take.”
