How to Take Care of Permed Hair

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Perms live up to their name once they've taken hold, and it won't take any drastic efforts to maintain your curls. That said, there are a few adjustments that are good to make for the sake of your new hairstyle. It's especially important to go easy on your perm in the first few days after your treatment, even if it means enduring the weird-smelling phase.

Question 1 of 5:

What should I not do after a perm?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Avoid washing or wetting your hair for at least two days after the perm—three if you can manage. Washing your hair before the curls are locked into place can partially undo the treatment. [1]
    • In corner cases, you might want to wet your hair intentionally to achieve beachy waves, but check with your stylist first.
    • Think of this waiting period almost like a curing process—your hair needs 48 hours for all the bonds in your hair to be completely reformed.
  2. Using hair accessories or even brushing newly permed hair can cause breakage or make it set into an odd position. Get by for a few days by combing and positioning your hair gently with your fingers, or with a wide-toothed comb in the shower. [2]
    • Dyeing or bleaching your hair is particularly damaging. It's best to wait two or three months after the perm before trying something like this, to give your hair time to recover.
    Advertisement
  3. Your hair's permed now, so abandoning your curling irons and straighteners shouldn't be much of a loss. Avoid them to keep your perm, well, permanent! [3]
    • Even a blow dryer can get hot enough to damage your hair and affect the perm. [4] If you still want to use one, let your hair air-dry 50% of the way, then finish with the blow dryer's diffuser attachment. Loosely permed, wavy hair might get away with a normal blow dry, but hold the dryer at a distance to avoid flattening the waves. [5]
    4. Advertisement
Question 2 of 5:

How often should I wash permed hair?

PDF download Download Article
  1. It's a surprising fact that over-washing your hair can actually make it more vulnerable to damage and cause it to build up grease more quickly. The texture of curly hair slows down the spread of oil from your scalp, so you'll likely need to shampoo less often than when you had straight hair. Perms also damage your hair, which means it's best to go gentle on it and wash only as often as you need to. [6]
  2. If you need to wash your hair more often to stop it becoming a mess, try skipping the shampoo for some of the washes and using a conditioner only.
    3. Advertisement
Question 3 of 5:

How do I wash permed hair?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Permed hair needs less shampoo than straight hair, and is more easily stressed by overwashing. Conditioning after every wash is a good habit for maintaining your hair's health.
  2. Brushes are hard on permed hair. Try a wide-toothed comb, instead. Work gently from the bottom to minimize breakage.
  3. Add this to your routine in addition to the conditioner you use in the shower. The leave-in product will help keep your hair moisturized and the cuticles sealed, addressing the damage perming can cause.
    • A leave-in conditioner can double as a detangler, making your hair easier to comb.
    4. Advertisement
Question 4 of 5:

What are the best types of products to use for permed hair care?

PDF download Download Article
  1. There are shampoos and conditioners marketed specifically for perms, but just switching to products for curly hair should be fine. After all, the goal of these products is to keep your curls light and avoid frizz, and that's what both perms and natural curls need.
  2. Perms can damage the proteins in your hair, which can make it both brittle and quick to lose moisture. Products with added protein and hydrating ingredients can help restore strength and shine to your hair, and keep your curls frizz-free for longer between treatments: [7]
    • Check shampoo and conditioner ingredients for anything containing the words protein, keratin, collagen, amino acids, or cystine bis-PG-propyl silanetriol.
    • A standalone "protein treatment" is much stronger than protein-rich shampoo and a good choice if your hair is showing signs of damage.
    • If a moisturizing leave-in conditioner doesn't do the job, try a hair cream or hair oil. Heavier creams can work better, but may also weigh down your curls. Experiment to find a balance.
  3. Too often, the front of the product label just tells you the company's marketing plan. The ingredient list can be more helpful, and you can use this guide to cut through some of the myths and jargon:
    • Alcohol is often blamed for frizz—but the story's a bit more complicated. "Fatty alcohols" are an exception whose chemical structure makes them perfectly fine to use on curls. [8] Put the specific alcohol on your label into a search engine along with "is it fatty?" before you throw out that bottle.
    • Silicone (found in many ingredients ending in -cone or -oxane) can build up over time and weigh down curls, but can help with conditioning. If you can't find a silicone-free alternative you like, just use a clarifying shampoo once in a while as a reset. [9]
    • Sulfate -free shampoo is a common recommendation for permed hair. But honestly? The effect on most people's curls might be too small to notice, at least according to one dermatologist. [10]
    4. Advertisement
Question 5 of 5:

How do I sleep with permed hair?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Just like natural curls, permed hair benefits from being kept up while you're asleep, so it's out of the way while you toss and turn. Any method that leaves the back of your hair smooth and restrained will work, such as a loose top bun, or a "pineapple" (a high, loose ponytail gathered at the top of your head). [11] If your hair is too short to gather it all at the top of your head, make two or three smaller buns or ponytails on the top and sides.
    • Restrain your hair fairly loosely, especially at the front where the curls will fall around your face. A tightly twisted scrunchie will create more dents and curls, and you already paid good money for the hairstyle you wanted!
    • If your hair tends to climb out of a scrunchie overnight, try a hair clip. A clip with a flat bottom will be more comfortable to sleep in, and a clip with a rubber interior is more likely to stay in. [12]
  2. These fabrics cause less friction against your hair than cotton, so you'll wake up with less frizz and tangles. If you don't have a silk pillowcase, a silk scarf wrapped around your pillow (or loosely around your hair) is sometimes a cheaper option.
    3. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Avoid using too much product. For most products you can use about the size of a dollar coin on your palm.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Permed hair is more vulnerable to sun damage. Try not to go out in peak UV times (~10am to 2pm) without putting in a leave-in conditioner that contains zinc oxide (the same ingredient in many sunscreens), or putting on a wide-brimmed hat. [13]
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Wide toothed comb
      • High quality shampoo and conditioner
      • Leave in conditioner and smoothing/anti-frizz products
      • Blow dryer with diffuser attachment (optional)
      • Silk or satin scarf, bonnet, or pillowcase

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Straighten Permed Hair
      The Ultimate Guide to Taking Care of Permed Hair
      How to
      Wash Your Hair After Getting a Perm
      How to
      Get the Smell of a Perm out of Your Hair
      How to
      Perm Your Hair
      How to
      Perm Short Hair (from Prep to Maintenance)
      How to
      Do a Spiral Perm
      Do Perms Damage Your Hair? Risks, Preparation, and Aftercare
      How to
      Rid Yourself of a Bad Perm
      How to
      Grow out a Perm - And Look Good While Doing It
      Everything You Need to Know About Styling Short Permed Hair
      Korean Perms: How to Ask For One, Haircare Tips, & More
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.instyle.com/hair/how-to-care-for-permed-hair
      2. ↑ https://www.instyle.com/hair/how-to-care-for-permed-hair
      3. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a35006502/perm-hair/
      4. ↑ https://www.instyle.com/hair/how-to-care-for-permed-hair
      5. ↑ https://wethedryers.com/how-to-blow-dry-permed-hair/
      6. ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/how-often-should-i-wash-my-hair-2015-3?r=DE&IR=T
      7. ↑ https://themestizamuse.com/blog/what-to-check-for-in-protein-and-moisturizing-products
      8. ↑ https://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/curl-products/all-about-alcohols
      9. ↑ https://www.self.com/gallery/silicone-free-hair-products
      1. ↑ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sulfate-free-shampoo_n_1534277
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0H23ZAztHY
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0H23ZAztHY
      4. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/insider/stop-damage

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 39,909 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        May 22, 2023

        "My hairdresser has never told me not to wash my hair for several days, so this tip alone was helpful. Thank you."
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement