Perms are a popular fashion hairstyle that many of us opt for when creating our image. However, they are damaging to your hair and sometimes even the professionals get it wrong. When this happens the results can be disastrous.

Unfortunately there are numerous ways in which a perm can be done incorrectly; did your stylist:

• Check that there were no cuts or irritation already on your scalp before beginning the perm?


• Fail to check whether your hair has been relaxed previously? A perm should only be done on unrelaxed hair otherwise it will damage it.


• Fail to perform a patch test? This is important because it is used to check that your skin does not have a reaction to the solution about to be used.


• Forget to use a protective petroleum "base-cream" or not apply it fully and correctly? This stage is vital as the cream protects the scalp from the chemicals so that they don't irritate, burn or blister the skin.


• Make sure that your hair was completely dry before applying chemicals.
  Fail to fully remove the chemicals afterwards? If some of the chemical is left on then it can come into contact with the skin and cause irritation or burning.


• Use warm water to rinse out the chemicals and not hot or cold?


• Leave the chemicals on for too long? If so then the perm will be over processed and cause damage to your hair.


• Fail to neutralize your hair or not do it properly? This stops the perming process in order to restore the pH balance otherwise your hair will be weakened further.


• Pull, tug or comb your hair excessively during this process? Hair is already fragile during this process so this will damage it further.

When you perm your hair the disulphide bonds inside the hair shaft, which are holding the hair in its shape, need to be broken. When hair is put onto rollers the disulphide bonds reform

If any of the above situations has happened to you, you may have a case and be able to claim compensation for any extra hair appointments or treatments you have had in order to rectify the mistakes as well as for the humiliation and embarrassment you may have felt while your hair was recovering.