Does your hair go back to normal after a perm?

Author: Enrico Johnston I  |  Last update: Tuesday, November 4, 2025

For most people, perm curls fall out within three to six months, reverting to your normal hair texture.

Can permed hair go back to normal?

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.

Will my hair ever be straight again after a perm?

Perming hair is a complicated chemical process, and curling hair is permanent and won't be straightened by washing. But the perm will definitely increase the curl, but it's not as if the hair will grow and become straight after a few washes.

Does your hair change after a perm?

Perms permanently change the hair. It will loosen a little with time. The hair will grow as before. You can't revert to what it was before.

How long does it take for your hair to go back natural after a perm?

Whether you decide to do a big chop or gradually grow out your chemically compromised hair, it is going to take at least 3-4 months to see any real change.

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Is my hair permanently damaged after a perm?

Hair perming involves breaking the cysteine bonds in your hair using this thioglycolic acid. The cysteine bond is what gives your hair its structure. It therefore needs to be undone in order to achieve the new shape. “If the product is left on for too long it can cause these bonds to break permanently.

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.

What can ruin a perm?

Don't expose your hair to too much heat. Avoid using curling irons, hair straighteners, and other heat styling tools as much as possible, as they can damage your perm. If you must use heat styling, be sure to use a heat protectant spray first. Don't wash your hair too often.

Does hair get thinner after a perm?

Perming may also lead to thinning hair as a result of breakage along the shaft rather than hair fall from the follicle. Because it is a drying treatment, perms can impair the strength of the hair shaft, leaving it weak, brittle and prone to breakage.

How to remove perm from hair naturally?

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.

What is the curly girl method?

Here's how to do the Curly Girl Method step-by-step.
  • Step 0: Reset Wash. First up, do a reset cleanse to remove product build-up from your strands. ...
  • Step 1: Cleanse. Wash your hair with a co-wash conditioner or a sulfate-free, low-poo shampoo. ...
  • Step 2: Condition & Detangle. ...
  • Step 3: Style. ...
  • Step 4: Plop. ...
  • Step 5: Repeat.

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.

Will I ruin my perm if I straighten my hair?

Permed Curlies have been warned, "When hair undergoes a perming process, its natural structure gets altered. Adding heat to the equation can further destabilise it." The direct impact of heat on the hair shaft, especially on already processed hair, can lead to severe damage.

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.

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.

Is a perm worth it?

Perms are a great way to style your hair, but if you do them often and don't take care of your hair with a perm, it can be bad for your hair health.

Does perm damage hair permanently?

While certain conditioning and smoothing treatments can help flatten the hair cuticle and make your hair feel smoother, any perm-related damage is likely to be permanent [2]. So aim to prioritise damage limitation over hair repair (more on how you can do this later).

Does your hair grow back to normal after a perm?

This chemical treatment will soften or grow out over time. Your perm should last around three to six months, although this depends on your hair type (fine waves or curls may drop out quicker), as well as how well you take care of it after your treatment.

Do perms make your hairline recede?

However, when performed by an experienced professional, your perm shouldn't cause hair loss or damage your hair in any way. Unfortunately, when not performed correctly, the harsh chemicals used for a perm can damage your hair and possibly lead to thinning hair or hair loss.

What hair Cannot be permed?

Tip 1 - Bleached/Pre Lightened hair cannot be permed

Thus before each color, always be sure to ask your stylist what goes into your hair. Inform your stylist that you intend to perm your hair in the near future, thus your hair cannot be bleached or pre lightened.

Is it bad to get a perm every 3 months?

The normal time period between perms is three to four months for short to medium-length hair as long as hair is trimmed or cut two or three times within this period. Your stylist can help you make this decision.

Can I wet my permed hair every day?

Wait before washing your hair

You can't get your perm wet, put it up or even touch it much while the chemicals reset your strands. Even after getting your perm, washing it everyday will affect the longevity of your curls, so prolong the gap between washes as long as possible.

Does relaxed hair go back to normal?

Yes, as long as you do not continue to process your hair with any chemical treatments. According to Medical News Today, hair grows at the equivalent of 0.2 to 0.7 inches per month. As a result, your natural hair texture will eventually come back after a relaxer. This hair is sometimes called “new growth.”

How to get back normal hair after permanent straightening?

Some Additional Tips:
  1. Intensive moisturizing and protein treatments are essential to managing the damaged hair.
  2. Try the L.O.C. ...
  3. Try a silk wrap or pillowcase to avoid friction.
  4. Get regular trims until all the chemically straightened ends are gone.

Can I pull my hair back after a perm?

Post perm care

Do not brush or pull hair for 24-48 hours. Use a wide tooth comb or pick to untangle your hair. relax your curl. Use a towel scrunching method to dry your locks.

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