Help please!! Almost a year ago now I walked into a salon (that I had been going to for a while) with my curls, and left without them, and not on purpose! The hairstylist put me under a hood as he lightened my hair, AND left the dye in too long- by his own admission. It actually looked ok when I left, but as I washed it I noticed it was stick straight wet, and the only way I could get some semblance of  curl back in was to blow it dry with tons of product.   Not only that, but I've been much gentler with the lightening process (I've got to keep it somewhat lighter than my own color - at least for now- for work- I'm an actress) BUT MY CURLS STILL WON'T COME BACK!!!!!!!!!!  I've tried all silicone, which makes it soft but doesn't do much for the curl, lots of deep conditioning with the same result...Redken Rewind gives me sort-of-curls, but not the ringlets I miss.  
I'm so sad.   :'(
I really don't want to cut it all off, and I kind of can't (again, work) so if anyone has any ideas I would be forever grateful.
Thanks!!

I'm afraid the curls won't return to the hair that has been overprocessed.  The chemical processes used to lighten your hair must have changed the structure similar to a straightening perm.  As you hair grows back in, the roots should have the curl in them.

Although I am not a big proponent of perms, you might consider one to put the curl back in the overprocessed hair.  Since that hair is already significantly damaged, a perm to restore some curl would not be the end of the world.

What kind of acting do you do?  

Thanks Bikerbraid!
Theater for almost 15 years now- and then I moved to L.A. about 3 years ago to pursue film/tv.  
What do you think about home perms vs. salons?  I'm wary of letting anyone else mess with it at this point, but if it's signifigantly better at a salon than what I can do at home, I'd think about it.
That makes me happy just thinking about it!

Home vs salon??  I think I would go to a salon that knows how to do a perm over color treated hair.  (My only experience with home perms goes back to the Toni Perm days  ::shudder::  I can still smell that awful smell).

If you have a picture of your natural curls, I'd take it with you to the salon so you can show them what you are trying to achieve.  Also, be sure to tell them of your past experience and that you are concerned about the condition of your hair following the perm.  I would tend to guess that your hair would take to a perm pretty easily since it is already very porus from the coloring.  You DON'T want them to overprocess your hair again.  That could cause you to lose your hair.  (I know - been there, done that and spent many years growing out that mess!)  Don't be afraid to ask questions.  Make sure the person doing the perm has done LOTS and LOTS of perms - preferably on color treated hair.  You want the expert, not the student-trainee.

After all of this - take care of your hair.  Be sure to condition it regularly.  Be gentle with it, as it will be very brittle and prone to breakage.  Follow the suggestions we have in the Ulitmate Guide to Growing Long Hair.

Good luck with your hair and your acting. :)

Thanks so much - I'll let you know what happens.

I have the same problem. SO, will my hair grow back curly as it grows out? my hair grows really fast, and i dont mind the wait, i just need to know!

Typically only major life changes will change the basic texture and/or color of your hair.  Examples are major hormonal changes (adolescence, pregnancy,  menopause), serious illness or accident, major stress (divorce, loss of family member).  

If you are not experiencing any of these, I would think your hair would grow back with the curls you previously had.  Take good care of the hair as it grows out!