I know its way more than enough chemicals for your hair to handle but I get a perm atleast every 6 months.
I used to have pretty thick puffy hair and I hated it.
I have a round face so for me to have straight hair, it makes my face looking more round.
The only down part of getting a "curly" or "wavy" perm is that it dies after a couple of months and I would have to use more and more mouse just to hold the curls in.
BUT, I definitely LOVE my perm
