Really bad professional perm, what can i do?

oz_valdo

Hi Everyone,
I desperately need some advice. This is a long post for a pretty short story, but want to give an accurate picture of exactly what has happened.
I’d been growing my hair for about a year, and had gone from a very short style to between jaw and shoulder length. Having just had my 30th birthday, I thought I’d treat myself to a perm, not for masses of curl, but enough wave that I could wash my hair in the morning and let it dry naturally, and of course, look gorgeous lol.

With my autistic son starting school in sept, I knew I wouldn’t have too much time to faff, so went for it.

Anyway, I booked into a salon, of the express variety (don’t know if I am allowed to post name of salon or not). I told the hairdresser exactly what I wanted and she was really nice and helpful. On the finished perm, she put some product on and left it wet, saying the curl definition would be nicer if left to dry naturally.

By the time I got the bus home, my hair was dry and I was horrified. I phoned the salon straight away (an hour after leaving) and explained that it was a mass of frizz and that my hair was breaking off as I was touching it.
The manageress suggested returning to have a protein treatment, which I suggested for 2 days later (couldn’t go back sooner as we had planned a family trip out for the next day, and so went back the day after).
By the time I returned, I couldn’t run a comb through it and looked about as bad as imaginable. The manageress took me to a sink, applied a conditioning treatment and left me for a while.

On rinsing and taking me to a station, we discussed the problem and she was very insistent that a refund was appropriate, and that she would make my hair look nice. She was concerned only about the hair around my face and that she would style my hair and put some curls in with straighteners. I refused the adding of curls, saying that this defeated the purpose of having the perm, I wanted her to see the style it would be on me doing my hair at home and that I didn’t want my already frazzled hair being further damaged with straighteners.

So, she dried, scrunched and styled my hair. It still looked dreadful, and i told her this. To be fair, i dont think she really knew what to do.
She told me that she would give me some conditioning treatments for home, free of charge, and that my best option would be to take a refund and see how it goes. I said that before I took a refund, I would be going round to another salon to get a second opinion, which she was fine with.

I did this, and on explaining what had happened, the new hairdresser said she thought it looked like a home perm gone wrong and that my hair was ruined. I couldn’t see what other option I had than go back, get a refund and hope that the condition improved. So, I went back, filled in a form asking the reason for a refund and got my money back (also, she allowed me to keep the free conditioner worth £10.55).

I booked into the new hairdresser to get the worst of the frazzled hair trimmed off. So, that’s where I went yesterday, a week after the perm. On giving me a long steam conditioning treatment, she explained that my hair was like cotton wool/chewing gum. That I would need the majority of it cut off (the longest layer is now approx 3 inches). I have a very short hairstyle now that I am absolutely horrified with. And, if she had cut out all of the damaged hair, she would have had to cut to the root around my face (so, I have a kind of halo of frizz).

I know it sounds ridiculous, but I actually cried when I woke up this morning. I cant believe how hideous it looks.
I went back to the salon, to show what I had to have done, to a very frosty reception and I suggested that they might like to pay for my cut as a gesture of goodwill. She replied that I got a refund so that was the end of it.
I asked for the head office address to make a complaint, she replied that I had filled out the ‘incident report’ so there was no point, but gave me the address when I gently insisted.

I also rang a number I asked for, explained to the woman the whole problem, she has now passed my details onto the area manager and im waiting for him to get in touch.
I suppose what I want to ask is this: Ideally what I’d like is for the salon to pay for extensions, only to restore my hair to how it was before the perm, until it grows back to the length naturally (which would take about 7/8 months).

Im not interested in trying to claim actual cash from the salon, I dont want them to think im trying to get something for free, I just want a hair style that doesn’t make me cry.
What exactly are my options here? I really don’t want to make a huge fuss, but am so disappointed and upset that I’ve had to have all my hair chopped and am still left with a mass of frizz.

I really dont know where to turn and know i sound like a bit of a moaner, but thought someone on here might have a little bit of wisdom.
Anyone got any advice? And thanks for reading this far!

Emma x

p.s, i have before, after and now pics of hair, if this helps at all.

cg1982

is it ok if you post pics

moggylover

oz_valdo wrote: »

Hi Everyone,
I desperately need some advice. This is a long post for a pretty short story, but want to give an accurate picture of exactly what has happened.
I’d been growing my hair for about a year, and had gone from a very short style to between jaw and shoulder length. Having just had my 30th birthday, I thought I’d treat myself to a perm, not for masses of curl, but enough wave that I could wash my hair in the morning and let it dry naturally, and of course, look gorgeous lol.

With my autistic son starting school in sept, I knew I wouldn’t have too much time to faff, so went for it.

Anyway, I booked into a salon, of the express variety (don’t know if I am allowed to post name of salon or not). I told the hairdresser exactly what I wanted and she was really nice and helpful. On the finished perm, she put some product on and left it wet, saying the curl definition would be nicer if left to dry naturally.

By the time I got the bus home, my hair was dry and I was horrified. I phoned the salon straight away (an hour after leaving) and explained that it was a mass of frizz and that my hair was breaking off as I was touching it.
The manageress suggested returning to have a protein treatment, which I suggested for 2 days later (couldn’t go back sooner as we had planned a family trip out for the next day, and so went back the day after).
By the time I returned, I couldn’t run a comb through it and looked about as bad as imaginable. The manageress took me to a sink, applied a conditioning treatment and left me for a while.

On rinsing and taking me to a station, we discussed the problem and she was very insistent that a refund was appropriate, and that she would make my hair look nice. She was concerned only about the hair around my face and that she would style my hair and put some curls in with straighteners. I refused the adding of curls, saying that this defeated the purpose of having the perm, I wanted her to see the style it would be on me doing my hair at home and that I didn’t want my already frazzled hair being further damaged with straighteners.

So, she dried, scrunched and styled my hair. It still looked dreadful, and i told her this. To be fair, i dont think she really knew what to do.
She told me that she would give me some conditioning treatments for home, free of charge, and that my best option would be to take a refund and see how it goes. I said that before I took a refund, I would be going round to another salon to get a second opinion, which she was fine with.

I did this, and on explaining what had happened, the new hairdresser said she thought it looked like a home perm gone wrong and that my hair was ruined. I couldn’t see what other option I had than go back, get a refund and hope that the condition improved. So, I went back, filled in a form asking the reason for a refund and got my money back (also, she allowed me to keep the free conditioner worth £10.55).

I booked into the new hairdresser to get the worst of the frazzled hair trimmed off. So, that’s where I went yesterday, a week after the perm. On giving me a long steam conditioning treatment, she explained that my hair was like cotton wool/chewing gum. That I would need the majority of it cut off (the longest layer is now approx 3 inches). I have a very short hairstyle now that I am absolutely horrified with. And, if she had cut out all of the damaged hair, she would have had to cut to the root around my face (so, I have a kind of halo of frizz).

I know it sounds ridiculous, but I actually cried when I woke up this morning. I cant believe how hideous it looks.
I went back to the salon, to show what I had to have done, to a very frosty reception and I suggested that they might like to pay for my cut as a gesture of goodwill. She replied that I got a refund so that was the end of it.
I asked for the head office address to make a complaint, she replied that I had filled out the ‘incident report’ so there was no point, but gave me the address when I gently insisted.

I also rang a number I asked for, explained to the woman the whole problem, she has now passed my details onto the area manager and im waiting for him to get in touch.
I suppose what I want to ask is this: Ideally what I’d like is for the salon to pay for extensions, only to restore my hair to how it was before the perm, until it grows back to the length naturally (which would take about 7/8 months).

Im not interested in trying to claim actual cash from the salon, I dont want them to think im trying to get something for free, I just want a hair style that doesn’t make me cry.
What exactly are my options here? I really don’t want to make a huge fuss, but am so disappointed and upset that I’ve had to have all my hair chopped and am still left with a mass of frizz.

I really dont know where to turn and know i sound like a bit of a moaner, but thought someone on here might have a little bit of wisdom.
Anyone got any advice? And thanks for reading this far!

Emma x

p.s, i have before, after and now pics of hair, if this helps at all.

Oh God! I have been there - but with a long used and trusted hairdresser that was a horrified as I was.

I suspect that you might have the same problem as I did - that they had changed perms to an "acid" based one, and my hair just did not like it and I had straw like frizz that snapped off in my hands as touched.

Like you I ended up loosing a dramatic amount of my hair - and my hairdresser made me about a dozen weekly apointments to have heavy duty conditioning treatments free of charge. He was as gob-smacked and upset as I - but I don't think hair extensions even existed then - although we did joke that he would buy me a wig if I could not cope!

I do think that if it is causing you so much distress then the original salon needs to find some way of making you comfortable with your hair - and thus I would keep pursuing it with the head office

Only comfort I can offer is that it does grow back. I would, however, check with the salon what perm is used there - and if it is (as most of them are) acid based, you insist that any future salon uses an alkali perming lotion should you ever dare to try again. They smell worse - but for those in the minority who have hair that burns with acid perms they are the only answer.

Good luck.

oz_valdo

Hi cg1982,

I dont mind emailing you some pics, i am a bit reluctant to post them on here because i look god awful. Um, i'll pm you with my email addy.

And Moggylover,

thanks for your sympathies. Thing is, i would have tutted at someone making such a fuss about hair, but it feels terrible doesnt it? Also, i dont want it to seem like im trying to wring some cash out of them, i just want to look ok. Looking forward to the day when i can think 'omg, thank goodness im over that disaster!'

Emma x

fairywishes

How awful i feel so sorry for you and lets face it the trauma you have gone through :0(
Lets face it our hair is everything i have had bad perms bad colours i even burnt off my hair once and had to have hair extensions.

Having had hair extensions on many occasions this unfortunatley won't be the answer as having hair extensions damages your hair.
My hairdresser herself had them last year and had to have them removed as they broke off her hair horrifically. Since then she has spent the last year with her hair conditioned up everyday trying to restore the condition back to it.

She uses a product called Fudge Dynamite which she constantly uses and on the days she has not alot happening she will actually leave it in the hair often blowdrying the hair to give it a dry appearance and leave the intensive conditioner in. She absolutely swears by it so i have been doing the same and the difference to my hair is unbelievable.
I've not had a perm for a while however i do hav a colour ever 8 weeks so struggle with dry hair and this really really helps.
You can get it from online hair dresser stalls and also i found it quite cheap on ebay.
Might be worth a try hun :0)

I also meant to add there is a herbal treatment from a nationwide shop which rapidl makes your hair grow, unfortunatley it also makes all the rest of your hair on your body grow too lol :0O but it works really really well and helps with condition too if you want the name of it let me know it might be worth a try.

pinkshoes

I wouldn't go with the hair extensions, as they could further damage your hair, and are ghastly things!!

I would just get used to having short hair for the next few months, and get the hairdressers to pay for 6 months worth of conditioning products to try and improve the condition of your hair.

Sammy_Girl

If you're going to have hair extensions, please make sure that you do your research on the type of extensions you want and use a reputable salon. You don't want to make a bad situation worse. You definitely get what you paid for. There are certain types like glued in ones which will not be good for your own hair whatsoever. I had hair extensions 2 years ago, and I had them "bonded" in which when removed, had not affected my own hair at all. I, like you was using them to allow my own hair to grow. A decent set of extensions will be c.£500 and take a good 5-8 hours to put in. Mine took 9 hours :eek: , but as they very kindly told me, I had a large head and so needed extra rows :rotfl:

Good luck, and it will get better.

daphne~sparkle

Whats a terrible thing to have happened! I feel so sorry and angry for you.

Speaking from experiance I would not recommend having extensions put in as a solution. You say you have little time on your hands to faff and you need time to look after extensions to ensure they dont matt. I had Racoon extensions put in by a professional salon and would def. not recommend them if your hair is already damaged and your looking to grow it. When my extensions were removed my hair was left thin and straggly - I some 5p piece size bald patches (which fortunatley were underneath) and a lot of snapped hair which was badly damaged. I ended up having to have my hair cut back up to jaw length and it took best part of a year to grow our all the damage and regrow my bald bits before I felt like it was my hair again. IMHO I think having extensions would make your problem worse.

Apply Intensive conditioner/ reconstructor at night then wrap your hair in cling film and rinse out in morning. I would also use a leave in conditioning product/ serum and let your hair dry naturally as much as possible.

Wishing you a good hair day very soon
DS X

simpywimpy

If you get no joy from the salon in recompense for the damage to your hair, I would consider making a claim for the damage and distress to the small claims court. The CAB could help you with it.

I think most of us have had a bad hair do at some point or other. I went back to complete once and was made a complete fool of in front of all the customers and yes - I sat in my car and cried!

Do insist on something further than the initial refund and make sure you tell head office that you accepted your money back only as an interim offer not a full and final settlement!

oz_valdo

Hi again,

Thank you so much everyone for your advice and positive comments. I must admit, it's made me think twice about the extensions. I do have an appointment booked with a nice salon in Norwich next week to discuss the best way forward.

The area manager called me today and asked what i thought should happen. I just told her that if extensions were the way forward, that they should be willing to pay for them (they can pay the salon direct, not their own i hasten to add!!). We'll see though.

Again, thanks so much for your advice and help, it's made me realise that it's ok to be gutted about a 'silly old hairdo'!

Emma x

chuckley

that is awful, i wouldnt advise extensions. your hair needs to ride this one out. extensions will make it worse.

you should definately take this further. ODD that the AM asked u where you want to take the complaint tho...

fine out how to treat your hair now and also continue your grievence, dont back down.