I used to get perms a few times a year, but I gave it up about 7 yrs ago. I think smooth & natural are more in here.

Had perms all my growing up and way into my grownup years and go tired of it.

Now I'm a wash'n wear and love it.

I got a perm last summer.....just wanted some body curls on the top of my head. I have really short hair.
I should have listened to my gut and left the minute I got into the shop.
I had gotten a recommendation from someone at our church.
It was horrible.....a tight perm all over. The place was dirty and one of the so called stylists was a nasty, stupid man....and sexist and racist.
Why I didn't leave I will never know. Learned a big lesson.
It took me about four or five haircuts and almost being scalped before I got rid of it.
I will never, ever get another perm.

My last perm was in May, 2007. My sisters all get one about every two or three months.

No perm for me since 1993 when I had my "big hair" cut off.
Now my curling iron does the trick.

No perms for me as my hair is thin and easier to take care of. But finding someone to style it is becoming a nightmare.

I had perms as a child, remember Toni? Over the years I've had perms and body waves. But i always had a problem with damage to the ends of my hair. I haven't had a perm in about ten years. I remember as the last one grew out, I kept getting it cut till all my hair was my own natural - color and texture. I will never get another perm.

I was told by my hairdresser that perms are coming back in. I used to love them, but curly hair went out. I started coloring my hair to give it body.

Thank you for this thread. DD has mentioned that I should get a little curl (perm) added to my short grey broomstick hair and I am like Carol in Ca....a disaster. Finding a good haircut is most important, and not always successful.

I used to always get my hair permed but my stylist said since I also use color I shouldn't do both. So for the past 7 years or so I have not gotten any more perms. My hair is terribly straight and has no body so I kind of miss it but since I keep my hair pretty short it isn't too bad. I use a curling iron most days. I think perms are just out of style now.
Joann

I have never had a perm. My hair is naturally curly & to this day it has stayed like this. All I do is wash my hair & let it air dry.

I get one once or twice a year. I do not like the look of a mannish hair cut on women.

Sue

Mom (89) just got one, I think she'd be better off with just
a short haircut, it grows out too fast.
I never have perms anymore (65) my hair is short, grows fast
also, I get it trimmed every 4-6 weeks, shampoo and use gel
and curlers on the top, nightly, and a curling iron on the sides
and bangs the next morning. Perms never really gave me volume.

I was just thinking about this today...
My hair is in its' natural state right now..grayis, thinning and not much body to it.
I have it cut every 6-7 weeks and was thinking perhaps a little body perm would be just what I needed.
Now after reading these posts I am rethinking this, my hairdresser would probably have a fit if I even mentioned it and would talk me out of one I know.
So what do you use to give your hair some volume and body?

Hairdresser here...
For those of you who only want a body wave...the color of the rod determines the tightness/looseness of the curl depending on the length of your hair.

*Blue rods are the smallest and rarely used. Unless the hair in less than and inch long and even then...scary and to be used only by the most experienced stylist :)

*Pink rods are 2nd smallest. I would only use those at the nape if the hair was too short to get around a grey rod. And then I'd drop the rod out prior to rinsing and neutralizing.

*Grey rod is #3 in size and should only be used on hair no longer than 2" if looking for "body". (Usually at the nape and sides of short hair. (can be dropped prior to rinsing and neutralizing for softness).

*White rods are #4 in line and used commonly on the top and sides of hair 3-4 inches long. Used in conjunction with other sized rods.

**Purple and Orange rods are the usual for body waves in hair 4-5+ inches long.

A good stylist will use all different colors interspersed according to length and end result requested.

Many times I have had clients think that by using a smaller rod the curl would "last longer". Oh, yeah, it will all right...think old woman fuzz head :) Never was an attractive look right?

There are other factors that can make an outstanding permanent wave and continued education made a HUGE difference in my career when waves were at the height of chic. Educate yourself in communication with your stylist and you should have a great experience. Don't feel shy, if you don't tell us (pictures are great)what makes you happy you most likely won't be.

I had a friend whose hair was naturally thin and flat due to chronic illness. For volume and body she used a styling product called "Fudge" as I recall. I am sure there are tons of similar product on the market. I'd try that first before a perm, at least you can wash it out if you don't like the result.

I haven't had a perm in ages and I don't want to start anytime soon. I know that curls are coming back but I wonder why we can't just all go natural (well except for my color LOL) I hate that curls are back in style because I have stick straight hair.

I haven't seen or heard of anyone getting a perm in decades.

I got perms for years. I looked like a redheaded female Richard Simmons,or maybe Little Orphan Annie. Don't know why i did that. One stylist, about 20 years ago, when I said I was sick of perms.... she actually refused to continue to do my hair. My hair is thin, fine, not that much body. But NO MORE perms for me.
Been wearing a bob/pageboy style for last five or six years, but just changed to a younger stylist..... last cut was razor cut, more choppy... I guess that is how you would describe it, messy looking, but actually looks really good on me. And looks thicker!