Opinion

[GatorFan]

4 weeks ago this Saturday I took my Mom to a local Hair Salon for a permanent. When I called to make the appointment I told them she had very fine, thin hair and asked if they could book her with a stylist who specialized in her type hair. They assured me on the phone they could. $60.00 cost.
Well, she got the perm, did not wash her hair for 4 days as they told her and it was straight as a board. I called them on Thursday and told them the perm did not take. They asked me to bring her by that Saturday (one week later) to look at. When I did they told her they would redo the perm. Since we were going on vacation, today was the first Saturday. (4 weeks) We went in, they gave her another perm (still do not know if it took-looks straight to me) When I picked her up they told me that would be $30.00. I said excuse me. They informed me that they had to give her another haircut because it had been 4 weeks. Really, why would you not have told us that before you did her hair again. Am I wrong to be upset and think this salon is a rip off? $90.00 so far and hair is still straight!!

[red tail]

why are you complaining? is $30 too much for a haircut?
:undecided:

[GatorFan]

I already paid $60.00 for a perm that did not take and today was to give her another perm to make up for the one that did not take. Maybe I was wrong to assume that today was to fix what I had already paid for. If they were going to charge an additional $30.00 today to fix what they had already done and been paid for I would assume they would have told me before they started. If you feel they were justifed I will accept that I assumed wrong.

[pooh]

I can understand your frustration, but maybe the time span between the first perm and the second one played some part in the charge. Her hair had grown and they weren't giving the same head of hair a perm. I don't know really, just a thought. Did the first perm include the cost of the haircut or was there a separate charge for it if one was given?

What I wonder is did they give the same brand of perm the second time? If so, this brand of perm is not one her hair will accept. I don't think they'll do another just because of the potential for damage to her very fine hair. Two perms in a month is a lot of chemicals on fine hair.

Sorry this has happened, but when it's time for another, it might be better to select a different salon, but also let the next beautician know what brand(s) was/were used, unsuccessfully, twice.

[ceejay]

I think you are 100% correct, GatorFan...I would feel exactly the way you do...ripped off! And yes, RedTail, in this case, I would think that $30 for a haircut after only four weeks is a rip off. As a goodwill gesture for messing up the first time, it should have been complimentary. JMHO.

[Uptown Girl]

Dear GatorFan, I am a retired salon owner. I understand you are upset and I'm sure Mom is disappointed. Maybe I can help with some info for the future.

We will assume (for the moment) the first perm was done appropriately.

They seem to have told you about not shampooing immediately (but 24 hours, NOT 4 days is appropriate) This allows the perm to air oxidize and hair shaft platelets to close a bit.) After a perm, the hair should NOT immediately be pulled with a styling brush and blown dry into a "style". It needs that 24 hours of no yanking, as well. (And most "styling brushes" are damaging, under any circumstance!)

Shampoo should NOT contain sodium hydroxide, sodium laureth sulfate or sodium laurel sulfate. These ingredients will make perms relax. (They will also strip hair dye prematurely, and can reek havoc with the PH of the scalp, too.)

Creme Rinse should NOT be used AT ALL.
It will make perms relax almost immediately.
Clear, spray on hair treatments may be used sparingly to detangle. Infusium makes a good inexpensive one. Johnson and Johnson "no more tangles" works well too.

It is also important to know if Mom had hair color prior to perming, OR
if Mom is on any heavy duty medication.
The body sometimes deposits residual medication inside the hair shaft and that can be incompatible with the penetrating chemicals of the perm.
ALL these can be reasons for the failure of a perm that has been applied correctly to begin with.

It would NOT be my recommendation to perm over a perm that had failed.
I would NOT recommend perming on top of ANY other perm (good or bad), or other chemical service EVER.


Perhaps Mom can be guided to find a cute, pixie type cut that can just be tousseled with her fingers and air dried. No perm, excess products, or icky hair damaging brushes needed.

[Posh 08]

4 weeks ago this Saturday I took my Mom to a local Hair Salon for a permanent. When I called to make the appointment I told them she had very fine, thin hair and asked if they could book her with a stylist who specialized in her type hair. They assured me on the phone they could. $60.00 cost.
Well, she got the perm, did not wash her hair for 4 days as they told her and it was straight as a board. I called them on Thursday and told them the perm did not take. They asked me to bring her by that Saturday (one week later) to look at. When I did they told her they would redo the perm. Since we were going on vacation, today was the first Saturday. (4 weeks) We went in, they gave her another perm (still do not know if it took-looks straight to me) When I picked her up they told me that would be $30.00. I said excuse me. They informed me that they had to give her another haircut because it had been 4 weeks. Really, why would you not have told us that before you did her hair again. Am I wrong to be upset and think this salon is a rip off? $90.00 so far and hair is still straight!!

Doesn't sound like they are on the up and up to me, but I'm not a perm or beauty shop expert. If they have a FaceBook page post about it there and call Better Business. IMO.

[GatorFan]

Cut was included in original $60.00. Uptown Girl, thanks. My Mom is not on any medication and her color is natural. She already has short pixie cut. She only asked for some curl on top. Just needed to get it off my chest. I think I am more disappointed that my Mom feels so bad that I spent the money. I told her that I could never spend enough money on her.

[missypie]

Cut was included in original $60.00. Uptown Girl, thanks. My Mom is not on any medication and her color is natural. She already has short pixie cut. She only asked for some curl on top. Just needed to get it off my chest. I think I am more disappointed that my Mom feels so bad that I spent the money. I told her that I could never spend enough money on her.

I feel the same way about my mom. So lucky to still have my parents, really unbelieveable. I can't do enough for them. I will do anything for them, they are so humble and ask for nothing.

[Uptown Girl]

Cut was included in original $60.00. Uptown Girl, thanks. My Mom is not on any medication and her color is natural. She already has short pixie cut. She only asked for some curl on top. Just needed to get it off my chest. I think I am more disappointed that my Mom feels so bad that I spent the money. I told her that I could never spend enough money on her.

I have one other idea.... Being that it is already short, she may be open to trying a small "old fashioned" roller or two while it's still damp. I believe Walgreen's carries them in small packages and they might give her the body she wants without too much trouble. If they don't, the expense will be minimal.
Her hair should dry quickly..... so she may be good to go in 15 minutes or so.
Worth a try?

[gatherer47]

I agee withCeeJay and not Redtail about the rip off.

[redwitch]

I can understand charging for the cut but I can't understand not telling you about the charge prior to cutting. More importantly, I wonder about a salon that would be willing to redo a perm. I admit to not knowing that much about perms but it is such a harsh chemical that I would be very hesitant to perm again in such a short time.

However, I have to say that your comment to your mother is one of the nicest things I've ever heard someone say to their mom. It speaks volumes about the love and respect you have for her. Thanks for sharing.