Ask Kelly Powers: Keep it looking Fresh

By Kelly Powers

Staff Writer

How do I heal my hair after a curly perm?

Well, this can be a messy issue. First I think it’s important to understand how the perm works. Imagine your hair like a jalousie window - the ones everyone’s grandma has on her sun porch with tiny slats of glass that open by turning a nob). With that, when you're getting a curly perm, your straight hair is wrapped around rods and a chemical is applied that opens that window pains to get to the disulfide bond (one of three in your hair) that is rearranged to perm (innately) change your hair's physical structure. Since the structure is changed permanently, I would wonder how you want it healed. Once the window has been open, it won't close back. It can only open further, so you’d have two options.

First, you can have the perm solution reapplied in a way that will soften the curl and make your hair straighter than it was after the perm. This method won't make it softer. In fact, it's opening the window further so it might get crunchier, but it should be fine if it’s only been permed once.

Or, you can have a Keratic Complex applied. The complex will coat your hair and make it feel softer although its just a bandaid. The bandaid can last for up to six months with proper maintenance though.

I’ve left out the application process for both options because as I’ve seen in the past, if you do it without a professional, you’ll get unprofessional results. Don’t let your hair be a DIY project unless you’re fine being bald.

Whenever I shower with hot water, my skin starts flaking. Help!

This is interesting as I also enjoy stepping into a steamy shower. The problem is that all that warm water is opening the cuticles on your skin. Different than the ones on your nails your grandma told you to push back, this is the opening and closing part of your skin. Opening with heat and closing with cold, it’s like a window that flaps one way or the other. When it’s open, as in during a hot shower, all the natural oils and moisture trapped inside is let out, making for very dry and flaky skin. If you’re having this issue, try using a body moisturizer after your shower or even better...turn down the heat!

I'm interested in getting a tattoo and I'm afraid that it will look ugly when I get older, my family won't like it, or I won’t get hired.

The first thing to do is consider where you’ll be getting your tattoo. Everyone won't see a small hip tattoo like they will a full chest piece. And if you’re worried about an employer, think twice before being the next Manson and placing one on your forehead. That may apply to your family as well. Not sure how it will look when you get older? Well, my drag mother once told me the fish on her arm turned into a whale. If you’re afraid it will look ugly when you get older, you may want to take your family's aging process into consideration. Places that wrinkle or swell can be difficult areas to plan for when choosing your art du jour.