Is my hair permanently damaged after a perm?

Author: Mrs. Ona Keebler  |  Last update: Saturday, August 2, 2025

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.

Does perm damage hair permanently?

Can perms cause permanent hair loss? While perming is very drying on the hair and can affect its quality, it will not usually cause hair loss. In this case the hair follicles would be damaged beyond repair, leave a scar and result in permanent hair loss, although this does not seem to be the case for you.

Can perm damaged hair be fixed?

No. Perm literally means ``permanent wave''. Even if the curl lessens and relaxes, you have still damaged the hair by breaking down disulfide bonds. Disulfide bonds can't be repaired, so once the damage is done, it will be there until that hair is cut off.

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.

Does your hair go back to normal 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.

Why you will never get ‘That Hair’. (I tried for 10 years, brutally honest)

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

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 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 to reverse perm hair damage?

Steps
  1. Buy products that include nourishing ingredients like argan oil and glycerin. ...
  2. Shampoo your hair with a hydrating product that doesn't contain sulfates. ...
  3. Use conditioner after you shampoo to hydrate and repair your hair. ...
  4. Work leave-in conditioner into your hair to give it long-lasting moisture.

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 perming thin your hair?

While perms can add texture and create the illusion of thicker hair, it's crucial to note that the process involves chemicals that can make the hair more porous. This increased porosity can lead to moisture loss, causing the hair to become drier and potentially exacerbating the appearance of thinness.

How do you rehydrate your hair after a perm?

Start with a gentle cleansing shampoo, as your newly permed hair needs a little extra TLC. Instead, use a moisturising and nourishing conditioner to keep your curls happy and hydrated. Remember to treat your tresses to regular deep conditioning sessions for that extra boost of moisture and shine!

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.

What is a reverse perm?

The straight perm (or reverse perm) is a Japanese type of hot perm that applies heat (usually with a flat iron) and chemicals to straighten hair. The results are long-lasting, which is why some people choose this option instead of other hair straightening techniques.

Is my hair damaged after perm?

Your hair may still look healthy after one, two, or even more perm treatments. But because the effects accumulate, you will do more harm to your hair with each perm treatment you get. So even if your perm looks healthy and feels smooth, you need to take extra steps to keep it in good condition.

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.

Will my hair grow back after relaxer damage?

If the chemical burn caused by your hair relaxer was severe, it may also leave scars across the scalp. In this instance, the burnt areas are unlikely to fully regrow hair and may result in areas of permanent baldness where the follicles have been destroyed.

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 know if hair follicles are dead?

So dead hair follicles can look like a smooth, bald patch of skin or like a scar. A trichologist may be able to get a better view of your follicles by using a microscope or other trichological tools.

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.

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.

How badly do perms damage your hair?

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. It's important to get perms only from a trusted salon.

What destroys a perm?

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

Why you should not perm your hair?

The chemicals used in perms can strip the hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness and increased frizz. Without proper hydration and care, the hair can become more difficult to manage, losing its natural shine and suppleness.

Will I regret getting a perm?

Perm Results Can Be Unpredictable

You might end up with a different curl pattern than you expected or hair that is too curly or not curly enough. This unpredictability can lead to dissatisfaction with the results and make you regret getting the perm in the first place.

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