by Kimberley Heit

Created on: March 03, 2009   Last Updated: May 24, 2010

When you get your hair permed, it undergoes an intense chemical process. This means it benefits from specialized care on a day to day basis. This article is a brief guide on how to care for permed hair. It provides tips on maintaining a lasting perm and ways to minimize damage to your hair.

Washing permed hair

When you first get a perm done you need to wait a minimum of 48 hours before you wash your hair, otherwise your perm may relax. The links in your hair structure are softened when your hair is permed and they take up to 48 hours before they harden into place. After this you can wash you hair as per usual, but it is thoroughly recommended that you use shampoos and conditioners which are especially formulated for permed hair. These products are designed to help permed hair retain the correct moisture balance.

Drying permed hair

The perming process is already dehydrating so it is best if you can allow your hair to air dry as often as possible. If you want to blow dry your hair then you should protect your hair with a heat protection product. You will also need to attach a pronged diffuser attachment to your blow dryer. Drying your hair without a diffuser will blast your curls in every direction, this will most likely create a frizzy messy.

Brushing permed hair

Permed hair will look frizzy if you brush straight over the top of it. Instead gently comb it through with your fingers or a wide tooth comb.

Styling permed hair

If you would like nicely formed curls consider applying a curl revitalizing product to damp hair.

Maintaining the permed look

As your hair begins to grow out you will have re-growth to deal with. If you want to maintain the look you'll need to return to the salon to have a stylist reapply the technique to your roots, much in the same manner as a color touch up. Care should be taken to ensure that the solution doesn't touch the already permed area.

Permed hair and additional hair salon treatments

Because hair perming is an intensive chemical treatment this can preclude you from undergoing other chemical treatments on your hair. Typically, it is too damaging to perform perms and bleaching in conjunction with one another.

It is particularly beneficial to discuss all aspects of care with an experienced hair stylist before undergoing a perm. In addition you should also discuss any changes you would like to make to permed hair before proceeding.

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