I am in dire need of answers right now. For people with any experience, or heard of others' experience, I would appreciate any answers.. Basically, I have decided to perm and cut my hair in separate salons. I plan to cut my hair short. I don't see how permanently straightening short hair would work, so I plan to straighten my hair, then go for a haircut.

Is it okay for me to get the japanese straightening on my long hair, then cut it short a few days later? Would it affect the bonding of the ends of the new haircut?

I've never had the straightening done, but a lot of my friends that got it needed to get shorter hair cuts right after, because their tips were fried. They got their cuts within 3 days after the straightening because the tips were so dry. With the cut, their hair looked much healthier. I think you should be fine, and it's actually kind of well-planned since you wanted the shorter cut anyway.

Demosthenes, thank you for mentioning that point! I completely forgot about the damage to the tips.

I always have my hair straightened first, and then cut afterwards. No problems here, and I've been doing it this way for over 4 years. Hope this helps!

Thanks for letting me know, Nicole! Now I feel more confident to get my hair straightened first. Do you mind me asking how long you wait before you get your haircut? And is that the first wash after the straightening?

It varies. I've had it cut right after finishing the straightening (in the same salon), or I've waited until I can do the first wash (3 days), and gone somewhere else to have it cut. Both have worked out perfectly, and I haven't noticed any difference between waiting and not waiting. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

The Japanese straightening method actually damaged my hair and it took me over 2 years to have strong, healthy hair again. Anyway....they cut my hair after it was done to remove all damage.

Oh yes you should straighten and cut, it is actually better.

Originally Posted by niasb

The Japanese straightening method actually damaged my hair and it took me over 2 years to have strong, healthy hair again. Anyway....they cut my hair after it was done to remove all damage.

A friend of mine as well^. Her hair fell out in clumps, as I have heard other people experiencing the same problem.

I've straighten my hair for 5-6 yrs now...once or twice a yr. I used to just get it done at the same salon I normally get my haircut at. But last yr, I found a place that had a special and soo I did what you're trying to do - straighten and cut at two dif. places. You'd have to wait 3-4 days before getting a haircut after ur perm, because you're not suppose to wash ur hair for that long. And most likely, the place u go to get the perm will trim a little bit of hair off, just because of the damage.

I got my hair straightened today!! It was the longest I've ever spent in a salon- a whole 5 hours!! I really hope my hair won't fall out, like the many horror stories I have read.

Btw, how do you not get your hair wet for 3-4 days when you shower, if you're not supposed to tie your hair nor put your hair behind your ears and etc.? Please let me know, because I want to shower tonight.

you could try a large shower cap

hope that you're loving the way that it turned out!

If your hair is a little bent, use the straightening iron for a "quick" once over. I usually straighten then get a cut right afterwards, they are in a different salons.

I have my hair straightened twice a year. a trim/cut is part of the process. i have to ask why you are cutting your hair short after you straighten it - do you mean above your shoulders or shorter? depending on how naturally curly your hair is, when it starts to grow out you will have a harder time with the roots without the weight of longer hair.

Originally Posted by shanam

I have my hair straightened twice a year. a trim/cut is part of the process. i have to ask why you are cutting your hair short after you straighten it - do you mean above your shoulders or shorter? depending on how naturally curly your hair is, when it starts to grow out you will have a harder time with the roots without the weight of longer hair.

Well, I actually wanted a bob, but I know my ends usuallly have a small wave to it, which may ruin the look. I don't have the time to straighten it every morning, so I decided to straighten it for less maintenance.

Are you saying because I straightened it first, the bob might not come out as well as if I had done the cut first? Or should my bob not be "thinned out" as much, so there's more weight on my hair? If there's anything I should know, feel free to tell me.