Can you recover from perm damage?

Author: Prof. Alba Purdy DVM  |  Last update: Sunday, August 17, 2025

Since the perm method uses chemicals to bend hair, it is not possible to fundamentally eliminate damage. However, it is possible to reduce the dryness that causes damage. Use treatments with moisturizing and repairing effects both before and after perms.

Can perm damaged hair be repaired?

Restoring hair after a bad perm involves patience and proper care. Start by trimming damaged ends, then nourish your hair with deep conditioning treatments and avoid heat styling. Consider using products formulated to repair and strengthen hair. Additionally, consult with a professional stylist for personalized advice.

Is perm damage reversible?

With regular haircuts, men can remove the results of a bad perm within a few months. Women who wear their hair long are stuck with perm damage for much longer.

Can hair grow back after perm damage?

Yes, it'll grow back as it was before. Perms can only affect the hair the chemicals touch, not the hair that hasn't grown yet. My boyfriend, way back when, decided to perm his hair but didn't tell me he was going to do it.

How to reverse perm damage?

Unfortunately you can't reverse a perm. It has chemically altered your hair. If your try to permanently straighten it with chemicals it will damage it. You just have to let it grow out and the curls will loosen over time.

The Truth About Transitioning From Relaxed to Natural Hair

Can permed hair go back to normal?

And, while the word 'perm' might make you think your look will be permanent, that new texture won't last forever. This chemical treatment will soften or grow out over time.

How to fix a bad perm job?

If you want to undo the results of a perm, or relax a perm, wash your hair with Color Protecting Shampoo and Conditioner to cleanse and hydrate your hair, and to help relax your curls. Apply a deep conditioning treatment or hot oil treatment, cover your curls with a shower cap, and leave on for several hours.

How do I get my natural hair back after a perm?

Let's break it all down with 10 transitioning hair tips.
  1. Be patient. ...
  2. Cut when necessary. ...
  3. Deep condition often. ...
  4. Plan out your protective styles. ...
  5. Cut back on heat styling. ...
  6. Don't stress the shedding. ...
  7. Avoid drying ingredients. ...
  8. Focus on scalp health.

Should I cut damaged hair or grow it out?

All experts agree on this: when hair is damaged, it must be cut off. “If the damage is so bad (you're bleaching too much or using too much heat), that's when it becomes a cut instead of a trim,” says Polko. “You're going to have to commit and then let your hair grow back out.”

Can a perm permanently damage your scalp?

The chemicals used for a perm are harsh, and if used too often or mixed incorrectly, they may damage your scalp and hair follicles. Harsh chemicals can burn your skin, which often causes scar tissue to develop. A chemical burn on the scalp that results in a scar can cause your hair to fall out at the root.

Can you undo a bad perm?

Apply a canola oil treatment.

Using this treatment should loosen the perm to make it more manageable to re style, but you may need to repeat the treatment for a few weeks to really see results if your perm is acting stubborn and will not relax after one treatment.

What destroys a perm?

Don't use products that contain parabens, sulphates, or alcohol as these can ruin your perm.

Which is more damaging, perm or color?

Colored Hair

Although not as dangerous as perming overly bleached and highlighted hair, if your hair is colored, you may want to give more thought to a perm. It will be in your best interest to allow two to three weeks before and after your perm to color your hair.

How do I get my straight hair back after a perm?

Steps
  1. Wash your hair. Choose a smoothing conditioner and a gentle shampoo. ...
  2. Apply a straightening product. Choose a product that works for your hair type. ...
  3. Dry your hair for a blown-out look. ...
  4. Choose the right flat iron, if you want a sleek look. ...
  5. Find the appropriate heat setting. ...
  6. Straighten your hair.

What shampoo is best for damaged hair?

Best Shampoos for Damaged Hair
  • Crown AffairThe Volumizing Shampoo for Oily, Flat Hair. ...
  • Living ProofPerfect hair Day (PhD) Hydrating Shampoo. ...
  • NécessaireRosemary Shampoo For Thinning Hair. ...
  • amikaThe Kure Strength Repair Shampoo​ ...
  • K18 Biomimetic HairscienceDAMAGE SHIELD pH Protective Shampoo.

Can a perm be messed up?

Incorrect use of rollers

Rolling them too tight or too loose will determine how well your perm turns out. The longer the development of the hair, the tighter your curls will be, and the less the development, the looser the curls will be.

Can damaged hair go back to normal?

As we've noted, damaged hair repair isn't possible because the protein bonds and cuticles have been permanently altered. Instead, the focus should be on maintaining hair to prevent further damage. If your hair is severely damaged, the most extreme solution is to cut it off and start fresh.

How to give your hair a reset?

The 4-Step Hair Reset Routine
  1. Step 1: Scalp Treatment. Start fresh with a clean slate. ...
  2. Step 2: Shampoo. Alternate shampoos based on your hair's needs: ...
  3. Step 3: Repair. Replace your conditioner with the NEW! ...
  4. Step 4: Hydrate. Once a week, apply the Miracle Hair Mask to deeply nourish your hair, locking in hydration and shine.

How do you fix damaged hair from a perm?

Nourish the lengths and ends with shampoos and products designed for dry hair in order to hydrate them as much as possible. You can also try keratin-based products. These penetrate the hair's fibre to regenerate the hair.” Oils are also a good option, as long as you're careful not to apply too much.

Will hair grow back after bad perm?

Since perming is inherently a drying process, if done so incorrectly can result in damage to the strands of hair making them weak and brittle. This causes the strands to break, leaving thinning or bald patches. The good news is that this type of hair loss is temporary, and new strands will grow back in time.

Will straightening my hair once ruin my curls?

However, the high heat from hair straightener can cause hair damage that could be irreversible, affecting your natural curl pattern. While occasional use wouldn't cause severe damage, but protective caution and the right curly hair care routine is essential.

Can you reverse perm damage?

Yes, if you wash it right away.

Use a conditioner to hydrate your hair and protect it from any damage. If it's been longer than 2 days, you may not be able to undo a perm. The best thing to do for your hair is to use deep conditioning treatments for moisture.

What to do if you hate your perm?

If you are unhappy with your perm service, go back to your stylist and discuss the alternatives. If it is too curly, your stylist can relax it. If it is not curly enough, wait at least a week to redo it.

Is perm damage permanent?

Though the name suggests these waves will last forever, they're temporary. Perms can damage your hair over time. If you don't take care of your scalp health, you could get hair loss. Scalp health is important because once a hair follicle gets damaged, you can't grow new hair from that follicle.

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