If you’re tired of your hair and looking for a change, a perm might be just the service for you. With modern day perms, you can get anything from loose, beachy waves to tight ringlet curls. The chemicals used in a perm solution are pretty harsh, so it’s important to know the risks before attempting your perming journey. We’ve answered some of your common questions so you can take care of your hair and prevent damage before it happens.

Question 1 of 7:

Does a perm ruin your hair forever?

  1. No, not if you have virgin or unprocessed hair. While there is a misconception that perms will leave your hair damaged and dry, if your hair is already healthy, a perm shouldn’t do too much damage. If you have lightened or bleached hair, getting a perm is slightly riskier, so it’s important to go to a professional.[1]
    • If you have colored or bleached hair, make sure you use a perm for colored hair. It will be less damaging and protect your hair more.
    • Hot perms (or acid perms) are slightly less damaging than cold perms (or alkaline perms). If you have damaged or bleached hair, consider asking your stylist about a hot perm.
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Question 2 of 7:

What are the risks of getting a perm?

  1. 1
    Your hair might get dry or frizzy. Getting a perm changes the outer layers of your hair, which can lead to dry, frizzy locks. If your hair is already damaged or dry from bleaching or coloring, a perm might not be for you.[2]
  2. 2
    Your hair could be weakened. Perm chemicals change the protein bonds within your hair. After a perm, a lot of your natural moisture is lost, and you might be prone to split ends and breakage, especially on the ends of your hair.[3]
    • Perming your hair the first time usually isn’t the problem, it’s perming multiple times over already damaged hair. You may notice that your hair becomes drier and frizzier as you get more perms.
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Question 5 of 7:

Do perms cause hair loss?

Question 7 of 7:

How do you care for a perm?

  1. 1
    Use conditioner and hair masks. Perms have the potential to make your hair feel dry. To give your hair some hydration, use a conditioner every time you wash your hair. Try doing a deep conditioning treatment or a hair mask at least once a week to lock in moisture and prevent damage.[10]
  2. 2
    Detangle your hair with a wide-tooth comb. To prevent stretching out the curls too much, use a wide-tooth comb rather than a fine-tooth comb. If you stretch your hair too much, it can lose some of the elasticity, leading to droopy curls.
  3. 3
    Try not to use heat styling tools. Hair dryers, straighteners, and curling irons can damage your hair further. Whenever it’s possible, try to let your hair air dry naturally. If you got a curly perm, use a bit of hair gel to pump up your curls and make them look great.[11]
    • Gently blot excess moisture from your hair, and avoid rubbing it with a towel.
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About This Article

Steven Waldman
Co-authored by:
Professional Hair Stylist
This article was co-authored by Steven Waldman and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Steven Waldman is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Director of Technical Training at Hair Cuttery. Steven uses his creative insight and extensive experience to drive educational programming and motivates facilitators and learners to communicate effectively, create and execute strategies to maximize potential, and achieve success. He uses unexpected sources such as art genres, architecture, and cooking to inspire shape, color, and cuts. This article has been viewed 39,870 times.
8 votes - 65%
Co-authors: 3
Updated: July 13, 2022
Views: 39,870
Categories: Perms
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