Do you perm clean or dirty hair?

Author: Dr. Martine Paucek I  |  Last update: Wednesday, October 8, 2025

So, there's no need to wash your hair the night before your appointment unless you prefer.

Do you wash your hair before perming it?

It's generally not necessary to wash your hair the night before a perm. In many cases, your stylist will actually cleanse your hair with a specific shampoo right before the perming process to ensure proper product application.

Is it better to curl your hair when it's clean or dirty?

Start with day-old hair. Your hair's natural oils give your hair texture and make your strands more moldable. So if you plan on curling your hair, don't wash it for a day or two. If your scalp feels too oily sans shampoo, sprinkle a little dry shampoo along the roots and leave the rest dirty.

Should I clarify my hair before a perm?

the first step for a perm is to CLARIFY the hair. we want the hair super clean! clarifying shampoo will strip away any buildup or residue left in the hair. a great product for getting off build up while nourishing the hair is nvenn's 'wash'.

How can I prepare my hair for a perm?

Gently cleanse hair with a clarifying shampoo. This will remove oil, debris, and product build-up that could prevent absorption of the waving lotion—but do NOT use conditioner before perming. Finally, rinse thoroughly, apply a towel, and re-evaluate to make a final determination on whether hair is perm-able.

Do NOT Get a Perm - TheSalonGuy

Do perms look better after you wash them?

After Leaving the Salon

Not washing your hair will keep water from deactivating the perm and making the curls fall apart. Remember if you go swimming to always wear a cap. For a week don't style other than scrunching your hair with your fingertips. Hair accessories can cause breakage – or result in unnatural shaping.

How should I prep my hair for a relaxer?

My pre-relaxer wash day takes place no more than 3-5 days before my relaxer day. I start by washing my hair, in sections, with a clarifying shampoo. This ensures that there is no product buildup that will disrupt the straightening process. For this step, I use ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo.

Can I wash my hair before dying it?

The general rule of thumb is to not wash your hair the day of coloring or even the day before coloring if your hair washing routine allows. You might hear colorists say a second (or even third) day hair is best. Why is that so? Unwashed hair produces a natural oil protective layer.

Should I relax or color first?

You relax first then color but professional color not box. It will be sure to take your hair out. Wait at least 2-3 weeks before you get a relaxer. You never want to over process the hair.

Is it better to heatless curls clean or dirty hair?

FRESHLY WASHED FULLY DRY HAIR - please do not make the mistake of doing heatless curls on wet hair. Only dampen the hair with a leave in conditioner if it's been over 5 hours since you've washed and dried your hair. As long as you follow the steps in this tutorial you will LOVE your heatless curls.

Is it better to straighten dirty or clean curly hair?

Yes, you should always wash and condition your hair before you straighten it, especially if you are doing it with a heat styling tool. High temperatures burn all the dirt, oil and product buildup on your scalp, so you should avoid straightening dirty hair.

Why does clean hair not hold curls?

Clean hair just doesn't have the grit and hold as hair with a little oil in it. Curls work best on second or even third-day hair. If you need to be clean, you can add dry shampoo to your hair before you curl to give it some texture and volume.

How to make a perm last longer?

If you want to make a perm last, here are a number of things you can do:
  1. Wait to wash your hair until your perm has set in for at least two days.
  2. Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner.
  3. Avoid heat styling.
  4. Don't comb your hair for the first 24 hours.
  5. Don't dye your hair for two weeks before and after you get a perm.

What not to do after perm?

Post perm care
  1. Wait 48-72 hours before shampooing your hair. ...
  2. Do not stand under a shower head for 48 hours. ...
  3. Avoid getting into a swimming pool or hot tub for 7 days. ...
  4. Do not brush or pull hair for 24-48 hours. ...
  5. Do not use a flat iron, curling iron or blow dryer for 48 hours. ...
  6. Avoid coloring your hair for 3 to 7 days.

Why did my perm go away so fast?

Continuously subjecting a perm to activities like swimming, frequent shampooing or wet weather will damage the longevity of your perm. Getting it wet opens your hair's cuticle, releasing the chemicals used to set the perm.

Is it better to color dirty or clean hair?

Along with washing your hair right before dyeing it, avoid applying any styling products, like dry shampoo or leave-in conditioners. While you can color dirty hair, styling products can contribute to buildup and may affect the way the hair dye absorbs.

How to prepare hair for permanent color?

5 Steps To Prepare Your Hair For Color
  1. Be Realistic. This is best remedied by a consultation. ...
  2. Deep Conditioning Treatment. This is especially important if your hair is dry or damaged by heat or color. ...
  3. Use A Clarifying Shampoo. ...
  4. Do not wash your hair 24-48 hours before your appointment – no products or heat, please.

Can I dye my hair if I haven't washed it in 3 days?

As mentioned, your hair type can play a role, too. Those with oily hair may only need to wait one day between their last shampoo and next dye job. People with dry hair, meanwhile, may need 2-3 days in between to allow enough oil to build up.

How to prep your hair before washing?

Before washing your hair, make sure to detangle it properly. Use a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush to remove any knots or tangles. If your hair is extremely curly, coily or frizzy, a pre-shampoo detangler like CURL WOW Snag-Free that gives your hair slip to prevent damage is essential before shampooing.

Do you wet hair before applying relaxer?

Preparing Your Hair

Applying relaxer will be painful if your scalp is already irritated in any way. For this reason, it's best to not wash your hair or scratch your head at all for at least the week leading up to application.

How to prepare scalp for perm?

Deep Condition: In the weeks leading up to the perm, use deep conditioning treatments to strengthen and moisturize your hair. Avoid Washing Hair: Don't wash your hair 24-48 hours before the perm, as natural oils can protect the scalp during the chemical process.

Is it better to perm clean or dirty hair?

So, there's no need to wash your hair the night before your appointment unless you prefer.

How to sleep with permed hair?

Keeping your permed hair safe overnight might be the most difficult task yet. Regular cotton pillowcases can cause friction that damages your hair. Sleep on a satin pillowcase instead to give your hair the freedom to move without damage. You could tie your hair up in a loose bun, braids, or do the plop method.

Why is my hair so frizzy after perm?

Frizziness is a common issue with permed hair, especially if it's not properly moisturized. To combat frizz, make sure you're using a sulfate-free, moisturizing shampoo and a rich conditioner. Apply a leave-in conditioner or curl cream specifically designed for curly or permed hair.

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