Natural curly hair, permanent wave and chemical straightening 

1. I have naturally curly hair and sometimes I do like to wear it curly. When I do it myself, I can never get it to look like the hairdresser does. What am I doing wrong?  

I would suspect you are probably not using the right equipment or drying technique and may have inappropriate styling products. There are several excellent products on the market specifically designed for naturally curly hair that will enhance the curl and make it look more bouncy (more defined curl) and add shine to your finished hairstyle. 

At Scamps Hair Studio we would give you a FREE styling lesson and recommend the right products to achieve the same results that we do.

2. I have naturally curly hair (which I hate) and I use my straightening irons every day to make it look good. My hair is very thick and it takes me ages to dry and then straighten it. Any suggestions?

OPTION 1

Firstly, buy yourself a professional salon blow dryer, preferably an “Ionic’ one. This will greatly reduce the drying time.

Secondly, buy yourself a good brand straightening iron. This will also reduce straightening time and do a lot less damage to your hair than using cheap irons that can overheat and will often have inferior plates which don’t protect the hair from heat stress.

REMEMBER to always use a heat protection product too.

To save time when doing the initial drying with the blow dryer, it is not necessary to use any brushes. If you use a specialised straightening product and apply it prior to ‘blast drying’ then the job is half done. You will be amazed how straight your hair can look (even before you use the irons) if you use the right products.  SAVE TIME AND ENERGY!

We also stock several professional brands of dryers, irons, and specific products that will do exactly what you want.

At Scamps Hair Studio (before you leave the salon) we woud give you a FREE styling lesson, and free advice about the right products to use to get your smooth shiny look,  just like the hair stylist does.

OPTION 2
Consider having a straightening service.

NON-CHEMICAL 'KERATIN COMPLEX' smoothing and straightening system
This is the latest method sweeping the globe. You may have seen it on TV or 'Youtube' This is a non-chemical service which is guaranteed to make your hair straighter, stronger, softer, more manageable and add a fantastic shine. Unlike chemical straightening this is not a permanent service, in as much as your hair will gradually return to its original shape after 3 - 5  months.  The smoothing straightening effect is achieved by adding a specialised Keratin protein and then drying it into the hair in its newly formed straighter shape. Over the next few months as the Keratin disappears your hair will gradually return to its pervious curl/wave etc. 

The advantage of this new method is that you won't ever get an obvious regrowth of curly hair whilst the previously straightened hair remains straight, which can sometimes give an un-natural look if the new hair (regrowth) is not re-straightened as it grows.

This fantastic new service is also suitable for use on highly bleached/coloured because it doesn't contain any harsh chemicals and only adds the protein Keratin which is what 80% of your hair is made of.  No damage GUARANTEED! in fact your hair will look and feel better (after the service) than it did before. For more information on this fabulous new service call us now.

PERMANENT CHEMICAL HAIR STRAIGHTENING 
This service is recommended for extremely curly, frizzy hair

This is just like a ‘perm’ but in reverse. We remove/straighten curl, not put curl in. The hair is permanently straightened. As your natural curly hair grows, the new growth will then have to be straightened to match your previously straightened mid-lengths and ends. This is done much like we would do a colour retouch application, e.g. we only treat the newly grown hair, so no damage is done to the rest of it by over processing. There are many levels of quality in the various brands of chemical straighteners on the market, so beware of cheap priced chemical services. It usually means they are using an inferior product. If you want your hair to remain shiny and healthy after this service, don’t compromise on quality. Many people would say, ‘YOU ONLY GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR’.

At Scamps we never compromise on quality, and only ever use what we consider to be the best professional hair straightening products available.

3. My hair is very flat on the top and my friend has had a ‘root perm’ to solve this same problem she also had on her hair. I’m not a fan of ‘perms’ so what is different about a root perm?    

Firstly, don’t be afraid of the word “PERM’ it doesn’t have to mean old fashioned curly tops. Perm just means ‘permanent’. This means that if we do a chemical service, (perm or tint) the treated area won’t return to how it was before we did the service. It will stay that way until it all grows out or is cut off, e.g. it’s permanent.

A root perm is an excellent alternative for someone like you who doesn’t actually want curl, but just wants to fix a flat or difficult area. This is a specialised service using a unique gel, designed to only add body or some very soft curl at the roots. By treating the root area only, the rest of your hair still looks exactly the same, and no one would even guess you have had anything done.

BENEFITS: Flat spot gone, blow dry lasts longer, lots more body and easier to manage yourself between salon visits.

At Scamps Hair Studio we do offer this very specialised service to our clients, with fantastic results.

4. Call me old fashioned, but I still like the look of my old ‘wash and wear’ perm.  My problem is when I do have to dry it using a blow dryer, the ends always end up looking fluffy. What can I do to stop that?

My best guess is that you have your dryer on a high speed and probably not using a diffuser when you are drying it. You will need to purchase a diffuser for your blow dryer which attaches to the dryer nozzle and directs the air (in small sections) exactly where you want it to go, instead of blasting it all over the place. You must also use a blow dry lotion which will protect your hair from heat damage and will also help to keep the ends looking a lot smoother. Never brush the hair when wet as this can cause damage. To avoid fluffy ends (for curly looks only) never brush the hair when it’s dry either, instead apply the recommended finishing product and then rake your fingers through the hair to break it up a bit, or simply use an ‘Afro’ comb.

At Scamps we stock diffusers and all the products you will need to avoid the unwanted fluffiness.

5. I have my hair permed regularly, but it always seems to go flat on the top and doesn’t last as long as it should. What can I do?  

Unfortunately as your hair grows, the top area (that you see most of) can appear to have gone a bit flat and maybe you think your perm hasn’t lasted like it should.

It is usually because the new hair growing out is straight and will look different from the curled area. Average hair grows approx half a centimetre per month so check out how much new hair has actually grown out before you advise the salon that you are not satisfied.

As an aside, if you are using a conditioner not specifically designed for permed hair, it may be too heavy and will weigh the hair down making it look flat.

At Scamps Hair Studio we guarantee:  If you are not absolutely delighted and we don’t deliver what we promise, we’ll do it again for FREE! 

6. When I have my hair permed, why do they tell me not to wash it for 24 hours?

This is to ensure the curl won’t relax, and your perm will last the maximum time possible. Sorry, but to explain why clearly, I will have to give you a bit of hairdresser ‘techno speak’.

When a chemical service is done (perm or tint) the ‘bonds’ or structure of the hair, has to be softened and broken down. The ‘bonds’ normally take approx 24 hours to recover and get back to normal. If you shampoo before the bonds have hardened again, your perm/colour will not last as well. The curl may relax and the colour may wash out too quickly.

At Scamps when we do a perm service, all clients are given an “After Perm Care” information brochure to help you avoid any problems.

REMEMBER: It is important to have your permed hair regularly trimmed, because as it grows, it gets heavier and can weigh the hair down making it look flatter. You will be surprised how much your curl will bounce back after some bulk/weight is removed.

Our salons at Morphett Vale and Aberfoyle Park both stock a wide range of shampoos, condtioners and styling products especially designed for naturally curly hair and chemically permed/straightened hair, so ask your stylist for some FREE advice about the best products for you.