Yes, she's right. I have no researches or Google searches on hand, plus I'm sure you could do as much on your own anyway. However, as far I understand perming is basically a sort of rebonding; since you're a Science student, you will understand when I say that hairs are protein, and hence are straight or curly, flat or voluminous depending on their R-groups which in turn cause hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions, acid-base interactions, ionic interactions, etc. So basically in any such hair technique, may a woman with curly hair rebond her hair to straight hair, or vice versa, they're going to break the bonds between your proteins, and make some in turn to make the proteins straight or twisted. Of course, we all know that beauticians don't carry out this process on an operating table or under an electron microscope, so bonds between your hairs which should not be disturbed, are easily disturbed. The structure of the protein may get so distorted that it cannot hold onto your scalp and it may lead to hairfall. It may also cuase abnormalities in your hair papillae, where you hair is embedded, rendering them incapable of making hair or something else. I may be making assumptions here, but I'm not Googling anything and am going from my A-Level studies' knowledge.
But here you go. A scientific reason you shouldn't perm your hair.
Also, a religious reason I think you shouldn't:
Asma', daughter of Abu Bakr, reported that a woman came to Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) and said: I have a daughter who has been newly wedded. She had an attack of smallpox and thus her hair had fallen; should I add false hair to her head? Thereupon Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Allah has cursed the woman who adds some false hair and the woman who asks for it. (Sahih Muslim, Book #024, Hadith #5295)
Now, I'm not a religious expert. However from this hadith and the verse (which I am unable recall verbatim) which talks of trying to alter Allah's nature as sin, I think you should not perm your hair without asking someone with authority on religion first and well, thinking over it for yourself too.
