PERM BURN

by JANICE WILLIAMS
(MARBLE FALLS, TX)

When I was a teenager, a friend told me that I needed to try something new called a perm. I have never heard of a perm because I was getting my hair pressed. Well, after much of her coaching and picures of other black girls with beautiful, long, flowing, shiney black hair: I said yes.

She proceeded to put a tcb perm in my hair. At first, it burned a little. Then all of a sudden, my entire head was on fire. She ran me to the kitchen sink and washed it out.

Well, the end result was that my hair washed down the drain. She had purchased a tcb super and my hair was fine and thin. I was horrified and mad.

She kept saying she was sorry, but I was not listening. Most of my hair was gone. The next day was a school day and I did not go to school. My mom contact the Ms Kerri who pressed my hair to cut what was left of my hair into a short style.

I wore a lot of caps. My friend and I were not so close anymore. I refused to allow anyone to touch my hair besides Ms Kerri. I did not get another perm (pcj) until I was about 18 years old. My hair grew back but it was never the same.

As of today, I have gone back to being natural. I have natural curly hair with another problelm.

My hair in the crown is thin to nothing. However, God is growing my hair back in this area. One day I hope to wear my natural curly out with ease. As of now, I wear braids and quick weave wigs (I make myself and friend also makes for me). I am grateful that I have hope. One day I will be able to post some pictures.

Thanks for this give away! Today, I can really laugh about the perm burn situation.