Author: Joelle Hettinger | Last update: Monday, January 19, 2026
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.
Can you get your hair back to normal after perm?
In short, no. A perm (which is short for “permanent”) is a harsh chemical process to change the texture of one's hair. Permed hair can be removed but not reverted to its original texture besides temporarily, through flat-ironing or blow-drying. If...
How do I get my straight hair back after a perm?
Steps
Wash your hair. Choose a smoothing conditioner and a gentle shampoo. ...
Apply a straightening product. Choose a product that works for your hair type. ...
Dry your hair for a blown-out look. ...
Choose the right flat iron, if you want a sleek look. ...
Find the appropriate heat setting. ...
Straighten your hair.
How do I bring my hair back to life after a perm?
Steps
Buy products that include nourishing ingredients like argan oil and glycerin. ...
Shampoo your hair with a hydrating product that doesn't contain sulfates. ...
Use conditioner after you shampoo to hydrate and repair your hair. ...
Work leave-in conditioner into your hair to give it long-lasting moisture.
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.
Bring Back Your Natural Curls: 8 Actionable Steps After Damage
How can I get my permed hair back naturally?
How To Transition To Natural Hair
Be patient. ...
Cut when necessary. ...
Deep condition often. ...
Plan out your protective styles. ...
Cut back on heat styling. ...
Don't stress the shedding. ...
Avoid drying ingredients. ...
Focus on scalp health.
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 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.
How do I get my natural curls back?
Practical Tips to Regain Your Natural Curls
Using a Clarifying Shampoo to Eliminate Product Build-Up. ...
Why the Condition of Your Hair Matters: Moisture and Protein Treatments. ...
Choose the Right Styling Products. ...
Add Deep Conditioning to Your Hair Care Routine. ...
Importance of Correct Haircut for Curly 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. ...
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.
What do I do if I don't like my 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.
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 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 hair loss from perm grow back?
In most cases, hair loss from a perm is not permanent. With proper care and treatment, the hair can regrow and regain its strength over time. Post-chemical treatments, the hair loss is usually due to breakages in mid shaft, as cuticle is weakened.
How to get back normal hair after permanent straightening?
Some Additional Tips:
Intensive moisturizing and protein treatments are essential to managing the damaged hair.
Try the L.O.C. ...
Try a silk wrap or pillowcase to avoid friction.
Get regular trims until all the chemically straightened ends are gone.
How do I get my natural hair color back?
3 Additional Ways To Get Back to Your Natural Hair Color
Grow out your hair. Growing your hair out is both the most effective and least damaging way to return to your natural color (though, depending on how quickly your hair grows, can take some time). ...
Dye your hair—again. ...
Opt for a short hairstyle.
How can I stimulate my natural curls?
4 easy ways to enhance your natural curls
ADD MORE MOISTURE. Curly hair types generally have less moisture than any other hair type. ...
BRUSH YOUR CURLS LESS, AND WHEN YOU DO, USE A BAMBOO WIDE-TOOTH COMB. ...
TRY SEA SALT SPRAY. ...
USE LESS HEAT WHEN STYLING.
What destroys a perm?
Don't use products that contain parabens, sulphates, or alcohol as these can ruin your perm.
What washes out a perm?
A shampoo, conditioner, or any product really, with an excessive level of alcohol in the ingredients can bring damage and frizz to your perm.
What neutralizes a perm?
Neutralizer: a neutralising liquid for perms, containing hydrogen peroxide to restructure and strengthen the hair's bonds.
Can permed hair go back to normal?
For most people, perm curls fall out within three to six months, reverting to your normal hair texture.
Will my natural hair grow back after a perm?
Remember, while a perm might alter the structure, your hair's natural growth isn't halted. Choosing to nurture it will make all the difference in its recovery.
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.