Good idea gone very very bad

I've been in a funk for a while now and thought I needed a change. I have straight hair and so I thought it would be fun with my skinny face to go curly. I was all excited yesterday morning as I was getting a 'loose perm'. This excitement quickly turned to horror when the rods came out and I looked like a POODLE! I'm not kidding. The frizz is out of control, there are very tiny curls, and once it dries - its get about a foot wide! I don't know what to do.... I called the salon this morning and they said all I can do is wait it out because if I have it chemically taken out, my hair could and most likely would be seriously damaged and would start falling out (again). I bought some frizz-ease but it hasn't worked so far. I just tried hot rollers and that got my hair HUGE! I finally gave up and threw it in a pony tail. This is the best its looked since I got home and that isn't saying much. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with a bad perm? I can't go to work looking like this tomorrow. I don't even want to leave the house with this monstrosity on my head. Its bad enough I've been feeling so down about my weight loss slowing down to a stop but now I have this to deal with. Help me please!!! Horrifically yours, Jessica

Jessica, As a former hair stylist I would say a short cut may be best however you would probably still need the frizz ease. If you decide to keep your length I would say wash hair conition hair put on frizz ease while hair is towel dryed pretty damp use a hair pick only ,run through hair to the style you would like then use hands only to scrunch stop, and don't even touch the hair until COMPLETELY dry. then scrunch only with fingers if at all,put on hair spray to keep hair from expanding, good luck it will be fine. also if stylist didn;t give you what you wanted ask them to help you with repair procedures, Best wishes Marcia email me with your phone number if I can help with further explanation

Jessica . Go today and get you a tub of cholestoral treatment . You can find it at Walmart . It is in a little round tub . not real little . but any hoo.. slather this on and leave it there . It is a conditioner and it will help to loosen some of the curl . Do not wait . I used to have really long hair and when I would get a spiral perm and it was too tight that is what I did . I too used to be a stylist and that is would I would reccomend to those that thought the curl was too tight . If you can not find the cholestoral ..get some hair conditioner .. Pantene .. anything .. but I swear the cholestoral will work . Leave it on for as long as you can stand it .. keep doing it every night until it loosens up . I am so sorry .. it will grow out .. sweety .. Let me know how it turns out . Hugs, Nat

Thanks guys! I took both of your advice and it seems to be helping. I also went to a different salon and had them give me a cut that would be more flattering for the perm since I'm pretty much stuck with it for at least a few months. I can honestly say I no longer want to cry every time I look in the mirror. I'm going to continue the conditioning treatments and hopefully in addition to loosening the curl, it'll repair the damage to my hair. Keep your fingers crossed! Thanks again for the great ideas!!!!!!!!!!! Jessica

A similar thing happened to me. The stylist ruined my hair. It was so dried out and frizzy no conditioner in the world helped it. I ended up cutting my long hair and I am quite happy I did! I hate to say this but you may have to do the same thing. Lisa

You could try the really large rollers....about 4 inches in diameter....sometimes that will help. I also had a perm...they kept me under the dryer until my hair was dry...oh, boy...did I look like a poodle. People just looked at me when I left the salon. I take it the girl did not know what she was doing. Hopefully, if you asked for a loose perm, and you got poodle hair...you did not have to pay. And, if you did, I would be talking to the manager and getting my money back!! Good luck...poodlejess!! Jeannie

I did finally get my money back. The manager & owner were dragging their feet that it took over a month to complete. I don't think I got all of it back either but I got 90% of it so I'm just going to let it be and never go back. I have managed to work it with a bit since the incident but I still miss my straight hair. Live and learn I guess. Jess