7/9/98

9:59 AM
 Hair Perming
"There is no concern for a breastfeeding infant in her mother's
having her
hair permed.

Pat Gima
mailto:[log in to unmask]"

Does your lack of concern cover Black women also?

For those who have never thought about it, some White women perm
their hair to make it curl, while most Black women who perm their
hair perm it to make it straight.  I was recently talking to coworker
who says that a curly perm should not burn.

A straight perm frequently will burn (and can scab your scalp if
you're not careful) and thus must be using different chemicals.  A
good relaxer will often make your eyes burn.  Coincidently, if you're
trying to get a straight perm you want it to sit almost against your
scalp for a while to get the roots straighter, since that's really
what you're perming.

So is a straight perm, relaxer, safe also?

Maji Steele, M.A.
Chicago, IL