If you've recently had a perm and are not happy with the result, you can relax it to release some of the curl. But be careful not to overdo it, as this could damage your hair further.

The first step is to wash your hair with a gentle shampoo that's made for treated or colored hair. Doing this within 72 hours of your treatment will help loosen your perm and help you avoid any further damage.

Next, use a heavy conditioner to add weight to your hair and further relax it. This will make it easier to comb your hair and straighten it, says professional stylist Michelle O'Connor.

Rinse the shampoo and conditioner out thoroughly. Repeat this process a few times over the next couple of days to achieve the best results.

Depending on how much your hair is curled, you might have to go for a few treatments before it starts to loosen up. This is because the chemicals in your hair need time to stabilize before it begins to look curly again.

Another way to help your perm relax is to use a deep conditioning mask once or twice a week to weigh your curls down and make them less curly. This will also keep your perm looking fresh longer.

If you're having trouble removing your perm, ask your stylist for a curl reducing service to help. You'll need to ask about this because it will likely not be covered by insurance, but it will be worth it in the long run to get your hair back to the way you want it.