Afro hair can be a lot to manage at times. The thick coils, the detangling, and the maintenance can feel overwhelming, so one day I decided to perm it, thinking that would end my hair struggles for good. But to my surprise, perming my hair didn’t solve all my hair woes—it just replaced them with a new set of problems. Here are some things I wish someone had told me before I made the decision to perm my hair.

There Was Never the Right Cream for Me
I have very coarse, dense hair, and no relaxer seemed to work perfectly for my texture. Hairdressers recommended cream after cream, promising that each one would finally relax my hair. Sure, my hair would stay relaxed for a few days, but soon after, it would revert to its usual thick state, making it seem like my perm just "forgot" to do its job. It felt like a never-ending search for the "right" product that never quite existed for me.

Braids Became More Painful
This one surprised me the most. With my natural afro, braiding could be uncomfortable, but as soon as the stylist was done, the pain would disappear unless the braids were too tight. However, after perming, my scalp became much more sensitive. Even simple braids felt painful for days, and I wondered how I ever thought my afro was hard to manage. It turned out my scalp wasn’t used to the change, making every hairstyle an uncomfortable experience.

Sitting Under the Dryer Was Stressful

With afro hair, blow-drying was usually a quick process to get on with your day. But with permed hair, it felt like I was stuck under the dryer forever. Sitting in the salon, waiting for my hair to dry under the heat felt like a form of torture. Sure, blow-drying is an option, but the texture you get is never quite the same as when you dry under the hood. It was exhausting spending more time in the salon than I ever did with my natural hair.

The Styles Are Limited
One of the things I loved most about my natural hair was the versatility. I could experiment with different styles—twists, puffs, bantu knots—you name it. But with permed hair, my options became limited to mostly ponytails. While it’s nice to have the sleek look of a ponytail, it can get boring when that’s your only real option. The creativity I had with my afro seemed to disappear with the perm, and now I find myself missing the fun of trying new styles.

It’s Not All Bad
That said, perming my hair hasn’t been all negative. It's much quicker and easier to handle than my natural afro, which makes getting ready in the morning a breeze. No more long detangling sessions, and I can throw on a wig without the hassle of braiding cornrows first.

My hair is sleek, and I don’t have to worry as much about shrinkage. So, if you’re considering perming your hair, don’t let these points scare you off—just be aware of the trade-offs. Your experience may be different, and what works for me might not work for you.

Perming your hair can definitely make things easier in some ways, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Before making the leap, it's important to weigh the pros and cons and consider how your hair might respond.

Every hair journey is unique, so do what feels right for you—whether that’s sticking with your natural texture or exploring a relaxed look. Just make sure you go in with realistic expectations.