What destroys a perm?

Author: Adam Effertz  |  Last update: Saturday, July 26, 2025

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

What makes a perm go away?

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.

What damages permed hair?

The ammonium thioglycolate solution combined with heat cause your hair to be more fragile, more prone to breaking and might even cause a burning, itchy and peeling scalp. The hair might after long term perming cause your hair to loose it's natural elasticity. And that will cause a permanent damage!

What can remove a perm?

A ``perm'' or relaxer is a permanent alteration to the structure of your hair. The only way to remove it is to remove the hair that has been treated. One way is to have all the permed hair removed and have your natural hair cut into a cute style.

How to ruin your 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.

Do NOT Get a Perm - TheSalonGuy

What causes a perm to fail?

Incorrect use of rollers

The rollers need to be rolled in the correct tension to have the desired effect. Rolling them too tight or too loose will determine how well your perm turns out. The longer the development of the hair, the tighter your curls will be, and the less the development, the looser the curls will be.

How to reverse a perm?

If you want a more immediate solution, go back to your salon and ask for a creme perm to be applied over the permed outgrowth (to help “reverse” your perm). Bear in mind that this is an additional chemical process that might be stressful for your hair and could lead to breakage.

Will conditioner take out a perm?

After shampooing, it is very important that you condition your hair. It is a myth that conditioner will relax and ruin your perm.

How to loosen a perm quickly?

Apply a canola oil treatment.

Using this treatment should loosen the perm to make it more manageable to re style, but you may need to repeat the treatment for a few weeks to really see results if your perm is acting stubborn and will not relax after one treatment.

What neutralizes a perm?

Neutralizer: a neutralising liquid for perms, containing hydrogen peroxide to restructure and strengthen the hair's bonds.

How to get your hair back natural after a perm?

How To Transition To Natural Hair
  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 affects a perm?

Various things can affect the lifespan of your perm, including your scalp health, hair treatment, and overall hair growth. If you have long hair, your perm is likely to last longer than perms in people with short hair.

Will my perm loosen up after I wash it?

It's highly recommended that you wait three days before washing your hair. And try not to get caught in the rain! 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.

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 does my hair not hold a perm?

Because the hairdresser did not appropriately soften your hair, some perms frequently fall out. If the initial phase is done correctly, your hair can absorb the new curls, leaving you with lifeless, undefined curls that quickly straighten.

Does showering loosen a perm?

Avoid washing your hair for the first 48 to 72 hours.

Water can deactivate your perm and make the curls fall apart. Make sure to keep your hair as dry as possible, especially if it's raining or snowing outside. Ask your stylist how long you should wait until washing your hair.

How can I make my permed hair softer?

A curling mousse will keep your hair hydrated and protect fragile permed strands. It also helps control static and frizz and makes your curls soft and bouncy. A curl defining cream contains moisturizing ingredients to smooth and define curls.

Can you brush out a perm?

Post perm care

evaporates and the condensation contains chemicals that will go absorb into your hair shaft. Do not brush or pull hair for 24-48 hours.

How to get rid of perm hair faster?

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.

Does shampoo undo a perm?

When you wash your hair after getting a perm, if it is done too soon you risk your perm falling out and losing all the money and time put into perming your hair. After the initial perm, your hair needs time to rest and the chemicals need time to set.

What not to do after a perm?

Tip 1 - Avoid washing your hair 24 – 48 hours after the perm

Also avoid swimming or using scalp shampoo (oily scalp/dandruff/hairloss) which are deep cleansing in the next 2 weeks which will wash out the perm chemicals very quickly.

How to loosen perm?

Loosening Your Permed Curls

Begin by working canola or vegetable oil into your locks. Allow the oil to remain for five to 10 minutes before rinsing it away with water. Apply a thick layer of a moisturizing deep conditioning treatment to your damp hair. Allow it to penetrate for two to three minutes.

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.

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