Q&A for How to Care for Permed Hair

Getting perms regularly can damage hair, especially if it is long because the chemicals are applied to the entire strand every time. Your hair is much less likely to become damaged if you avoid other chemical services like highlighting or permanent color.

It's best if you can wait at least 48 hours. This allows the cuticles to close and re-harden and the hair's pH to return to normal which will mean a longer-lasting result.

For permed hair, you want to use hydrating products that help your hair retain moisture. Mousse and curl-enhancing creams are great choices.

Use water to activate the curls, or ask your stylist to recommend a curl activator.

This is not recommended because of the chemicals involved. Relaxers contain sodium hydroxide while perms contain ammonium thioglycolate. Those two chemicals combined will break the hair off. It would be best to cut off all of the relaxed hair before getting a perm, and vice versa.

Yes. Coconut oil is used to restore luscious locks and deeply moisturize hair. If the chemicals from the perm dry out your hair, that's definitely an option.

The safest way to remove your perm is to let it grow out. Otherwise, speak to your stylist about safe ways to undo the perm. Remember, these may cause further damage to your hair.

It's best to not use products with sulfates or parabens.

They shouldn't. Oils, yogurt, and honey are always good for hair. If there aren't many chemicals in the product, especially the ones on the list, you definitely have nothing to worry about.

It's best to see your stylist in this case. He or she may be able to suggest what went wrong and what you can do to get the curl back without damaging your hair.

Any condition formulated for permed or chemically treated hair is going to be a good option.

Wrap a silk scarf over your hair at night before bed. It helps protect against friction during sleep.

Don't stress too much. Just try to be gentle with your hair; avoid getting it wet and brushing it for at least 24 hours (it's always good to wait 48 hours, just to be safe). Avoid ponytails or buns for the next week, as your hair is still settling in. If you really need to have your hair out of your face use a clip to pull a few strands away from your face.

Do it a week after you get the perm. This allows time for the perm to settle into the shape it will be, and then you can work on getting any damage under control. Use specially formulated shampoo and conditioner for chemically treated hair until then, but make sure it has no sulfate or silicon in it.

Yes, you can - although use a very small amount. A good idea is to distribute the shampoo into your hands, mix into a lather, then wash the scalp. Try not to be too vigorous with the ends of your hair.

No. Wetting it can cause the hair to lose its shape. It won't sit right afterwards.

Have your stylist use the purple rollers. These are the biggest ones, and they give a very nice large wave. If you hair is shorter, it is like ringlets. For longer hair, you might was to go one size smaller on the perming rod.

When you're getting ready in the morning, spray your hair with enough water to make it damp and scrunch the ends (or diffuse it). This should bring back the curl for the day.

The chemicals in a perm can be damaging to your hair, so make sure your hair is healthy. I wouldn't recommend perming colored hair, especially if you are concerned with damage.

Yes, you can.

Yes, it will. It's best to wait 72 hours before using coconut oil so the perm can be settled.

You can use a leave-in conditioner after you wash your hair. It is especially helpful after you've done something damaging to your hair, like going swimming in a chlorine-treated pool or heat styling.

Your hair should still remain slightly curly, but it won't stay like that for as long as it was due to, as washing it would have gotten rid of the chemicals that make it curl.

It probably ended up frizzy because of the initial application of the perm. There is no way of introducing a curl pattern if the initial perm turned out frizzy (I know this from experience). Your only options are: redoing the perm, or using products to defrizz and/or define the curls.

Are you sure your hair broke off because of the coconut oil? Instead. it sounds like your hair broke and was damaged from the perm. This is especially likely if you had dry or damaged hair before the perm (even more so if it was bleached or colored). Not all hair takes perms. If still frizzy, try using treatments to moisturize and check out YouTube videos for styling to eliminate frizz. It's not just which products you use, but what is in the products (e.g. no sulfates, no parabens, etc. is best). Strengthening hair also takes time, so be patient (easier said than done, I know).

Use deep conditioning masks for your hair. You may be able to find hair mayonnaise or different coconut oil products at your local hair supply store.

Not directly after perming, you should wait a day or two and then start using products. However, it varies for every hair type. I would recommend calling your hair stylist to ask.

You don't have to, but I would recommend getting a silk pillowcases. This is because it will reduce the static and help stop your perm from fizzing up.

No, you should wait 48 hours before doing anything with your perm. This is because the lake water will lessen your perm, and possibly cause it to lose the shape.