Dear Rhonda,

My hair is extremely curly and very difficult to manage. My stylist suggested I get a permanent. Really? A perm? That makes no sense at all to me. If my hair is already curly, why should I curl it more with a perm? Please explain.

Dear Curly Girly,

Your stylist is right! If your hair is curled so tight that you are having a mess to deal with, a permanent wave is the right answer. (A straightener can also be the right answer in some cases.) By rolling the hair on much larger rods, you’ll get a looser curl and one that’s much easier to manage.

The chemicals in the perm solution will literally “break down” the bonds or formation of the hair and “re-form” it to the size and shape of the rods. It’s really cool how this works. Think of it like “Spanks” for your hair – it gives you the shape you really want. It will literally cause your tight curls to soften and loosen up, thereby giving you more control. Sounds to me like you have a good stylist. Talk to her more about it and let her know your concerns.

Rhonda Moulder is a mama to two beautiful daughters and is also a stylist at Blue Door & Co. in downtown Bentonville. E-mail her a hair question at mamas@nwaMotherlode.com or call for an appointment at the salon at 479-273-4433. Have a happy hair day.