What are the downsides of a perm?

Author: Nicola Halvorson  |  Last update: Tuesday, January 6, 2026

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 are the negatives of getting a perm?

Perm weakens the hair dramatically, and makes the effects of other harmful elements such as dye and heat 10x greater. The weakening of the hair follicles then leads to split ends. Perm also destroys the volume of your hair, making it thin. Perming your hair over time causes your hair to fall out.

Is perm very damaging to hair?

Perm weakens the hair dramatically, and makes the effects of other harmful elements such as dye and heat 10x greater. The weakening of the hair follicles then leads to split ends. Perm also destroys the volume of your hair, making it thin. Perming your hair over time causes your hair to fall out.

Is it wrong to get a perm?

When done correctly—with your specific hair type in mind (more on that below)—Santiago says there's little to worry about in terms of the health of your hair. However, it's worth noting that the chemicals used to create perms can be harmful to your health.

When not to perm hair?

When done correctly and by a professional, with your specific hair type in mind, perms are relatively safe for the health of your hair. But those with damaged, dry, chemically processed, and colored hair should proceed with caution when considering a perm.

I Got A Perm For The First Time | Hair Me Out | Refinery29

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.

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.

How long do perms last?

A perm typically lasts three to six months, depending on the type of perm you get, your hair type and how well you take care of it. A traditional perm that produces a uniform curl pattern can last 3-6 months, depending on how fast your hair grows and how you treat it.

Why is my hair falling out after perm?

Excessive heat

Excessive heat during the perming process can damage the hair follicles, resulting in hair loss. Excessive heat can cause the hair to become brittle, dry, and more prone to breakage.

Is perm bad for hairline?

Will Perm's Cause Hair Loss? Unfortunately, this is not a cut-and-dry answer. A well-executed, professional perm should not cause hair loss or damage to your hair of any kind. However, a poorly executed perm (most commonly DIY home perm kits) can damage your hair, resulting in hair thinning and loss.

What is the least damaging perm?

If you're worried about hair damage or have fine, brittle hair, opt for Japanese airwave or cold perm, as they are the least damaging perm techniques across all types of perm. Both methods are quick and affordable to retain the look and subtlety of natural curls without the use of heat.

Does permed hair go back to normal?

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

What is the alternative to a perm?

Luckily, there are ways to get bouncy curls, soft waves, or gorgeous waves without causing any harm. If you've been wanting a head full of gorgeous curls without the damage, using rag curlers, foam curlers, a curling iron, or scrunching your hair could be the perfect options for you.

Why do perms fail?

If the chemical overstays, then the hair becomes over processed. If the chemical is left for less time than intended, then the hair becomes under processed and comes out looking frizzled. The chemical solution needs to be completely rinsed off from the hair, otherwise the hair will get damaged and start breaking off.

How expensive is a perm?

If you have shorter hair, a perm can cost between $30 and $150. Short-hair perms are the least expensive because they take less time and product. For medium-length hair perms, you can expect to pay between $60 and $200; perms for long hair can range from $80 to $400.

Why don't salons do perms?

“Perming doesn't get taught to hairstylists like it did in the 80s, so the technique has kind of died out a bit,” says Hersheson. “It's really important that the person you go to understands perms. You also need someone who will tell you not to have it done if your hair isn't in the right condition.

What is a perm called now?

A permanent wave, commonly called a perm or permanent (sometimes called a "curly perm" to distinguish it from a "straight perm"), is a hairstyle consisting of waves or curls set into the hair. The curls may last a number of months, hence the name.

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.

What I wish I knew before getting a perm?

5 Things to Know Before Getting a Perm
  • Perms work best on healthy hair. ...
  • There is a perm learning curve. ...
  • You can't just color your hair whenever you want. ...
  • You'll have to minimize exposure to water. ...
  • Consider your current haircut carefully.

What is the most natural looking perm?

The most natural-looking perm is the beach wave perm which creates loose waves throughout the hair.

What are the don'ts after a perm?

Don't comb thru your hair during the first 48 hours. Leave it alone as much as possible. Don't use any products in your hair especially leave ins and conditioners. You want to try to keep your hair on the same ph level until the waiting period is up.

Why did my perm go away so fast?

Usage of The Wrong Conditioner/Shampoo

An example of an inappropriate shampoo is clarifying shampoo. Although clarifying shampoos are excellent for removing product buildup from natural hair, they are too harsh for freshly permed hair and cause the curls to give way too soon.

What is Korean perm?

First, while traditional perms usually involve using chemical solutions as part of a “cold perming” technique, Korean perms involve the use of specially formulated solutions that help to carefully restructure the shape of your hair, creating a more subtle appearance, while minimizing hair damage.

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