Q&A for How to Straighten Permed Hair

Using a flat iron on your perm occasionally won't remove your curls permanently. However, it can damage your style over time. You may ruin your perm, and the heat from the flat iron can cause hair breakage.

Perm lotion is too runny to work without some sort of set, but you can use it with large rollers to reduce curls.

Yes, but you need to be careful to use the same chemical that was applied originally. If you're not sure what was used on your perm, perform a strand test to look for possible reactions.

Yes, you can have hair permed on large rollers to reduce the natural curl, though you won't get stick-straight hair this way.

A perm will soften slightly over time, but it won't go away. It needs to be redone when the roots grow in, every 2-3 months.

Shampoo containing sulfates and parabens break down the color in your hair. They also contain an aggressive cleanser that shouldn't be used daily and eventually will break down and dry out the hair.

To be on the safe side, wait at least a week between perming and coloring, and don't go any darker than 2 shades or lighter than 2 shades.

You can try a hot oil or deep conditioning treatment. Or, you can try shampooing with a color protecting shampoo. You can also call a different hairdresser or salon to see if they have any products to help you.

If your hair has been dyed professionally, the perm shouldn't affect the color at all. Impermanent dyes, like hair chalk or Kool-Aid, are likely to be affected by getting a perm.