Question:
A perm for hiding hair loss?

I have long straight hair and losing it by the handfulls. I was wondering if I got it cut a litte shorter(I can't bear to have it cut short) and got a perm if it would help hide the loss? Or would a perm make it fall out even more? ANyone else get a perm for this?    — Stacie B. (posted on October 30, 2003)

October 29, 2003
Any time I've ever gotten a perm it made some of my hair fall out. Maybe that's just my reaction to the chemicals, but I would try the shorter cut first. You can also talk to a stylist and they can give you some advice.
   — Ali M

October 29, 2003
I used to do hair for a living and I have to tell you that a perm is not a good idea. It can often make your hair appear even thinner, especially if you have longer hair. If I were you I would get it cut as short as you are comfortable with and get layers. Layers will hide the hair loss better than a perm.
   — lmaxwell

October 30, 2003
I am an ex-hairdresser as well and I say NO to the perm. Your hair is already weak and stressed. Most perms contain ammonium thioglycolate and that is just way too harsh for your hair right now. Hope this helps. Shelly
   — Shelly I.

October 30, 2003
How about a shorter haircut? Go to a good hairstylist and get your hair cut with some layers so it looks fuller and then get yourself some good mousse to apply and blow your hair dry using a good round brush. That should give it the lift it needs to look fuller. A perm would probably do more harm than good now.
   — Cathy S.

October 30, 2003
Don't do it! A perm will surly make it worse, and you will be baldhead for sure. to put it bluntly.
   — Naes Wls J.

October 30, 2003
OK I must be the oddball but I got a perm with no adverse effects. I had fairly straight hair, and I got a fairly curly perm. It by no means halted the loss but did not make it worse, and it kind of hides the fact that you're losing (which is hard to do with stick straight hair). Just my experience.
   — Kimberley E.