What not to do when first getting a perm?

Author: Amari Hyatt  |  Last update: Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Don't wash your hair for 48-72 hours after a perm . During that time your perm is still technically forming and can be ruined or relax if you decide to wash it within that time frame. Don't comb thru your hair during the first 48 hours. Leave it alone as much as possible.

What should be avoided when newly permed hair?

Post perm care
  • Wait 48-72 hours before shampooing your hair. ...
  • Do not stand under a shower head for 48 hours. ...
  • Avoid getting into a swimming pool or hot tub for 7 days. ...
  • Do not brush or pull hair for 24-48 hours. ...
  • Do not use a flat iron, curling iron or blow dryer for 48 hours. ...
  • Avoid coloring your hair for 3 to 7 days.

How do I prepare for my first perm?

Avoid Heat Styling: Minimize the use of heat styling tools before perming to prevent additional stress on your hair. Prepare Your Hair: Use a clarifying shampoo a few days before the perm to remove any residue, but avoid heavy styling products right before the treatment.

What can ruin a perm?

Once you've made it through the first 2 days, you should steer clear of chlorine, heat styling, and products with alcohol in them to make your perm last longer. Humidity can cause frizz, ruining your new perm. Here are a few more tips to help your perm last longer: Moisturize.

How to sleep with permed hair in the first 48 hours?

Overnight Care For Permed Hair

Before going to bed, braid or loosely twist your hair to avoid tangling and preserve the contour of the curls. Next, wear a silk or satin hat or scarf to shield your hair from rubbing and reduce frizz.

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

Will sleeping mess up my perm?

You'll wake up with frizzier hair and end up with a perm that doesn't last as long. Instead, sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase that creates far less friction. While they look and feel more luxurious, silk and especially satin pillowcases aren't that much more expensive than high-quality cotton pillowcases.

How soon after a perm can I wash my hair?

Don't wash your hair for 48-72 hours after a perm . During that time your perm is still technically forming and can be ruined or relax if you decide to wash it within that time frame.

What are the do's and don'ts of a perm?

Here's what you can do to help your perm last as long as possible.
  • Wait Before Washing Your Hair. After getting a perm, it's important to give your hair time to set before washing it. ...
  • Use A Gentle Shampoo And Conditioner. ...
  • Avoid Heat Styling. ...
  • Don't Brush Your Hair When It's Wet. ...
  • Get Regular Trims.

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.

How to relax a perm quickly?

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 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 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.

Should my hair be clean or dirty before a perm?

So, there's no need to wash your hair the night before your appointment unless you prefer. We've got you covered!

How should I sleep with newly 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 to do when you first get a perm?

Directly after your perming appointment, you'll want to limit how much you wash or style your hair. You'll want to wait at least 24 hours, although ideally, you'd wait 2 days, before doing anything else with your hair.

Can I shower with a new perm?

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.

Does water ruin a perm?

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

After you get a perm, avoid shampooing or conditioning your hair for the first 48 to 72 hours. As Foster explains, the best way to maintain the look of a perm is “to avoid water.” Water can deactivate your perm and make the curls fall apart.

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.

How to care for permed hair in the morning?

How to Take Care of Permed Hair?
  1. Use the right products. Invest in a shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for permed hair. ...
  2. Avoid excessive heat. ...
  3. Protect your hair while sleeping. ...
  4. Regular trims. ...
  5. Avoid harsh chemicals. ...
  6. Choose products for curly hair. ...
  7. Detangle gently. ...
  8. Apply products while hair is wet.

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.

How to look after newly permed hair?

How To Care for Your Perm
  1. Immediately After Your Perm. After getting your perm, your hair will need some time to fully set. ...
  2. Nourish + Moisturize Your Hair. ...
  3. Shampoo Less. ...
  4. Get the Right Products. ...
  5. Dry Your Hair Correctly. ...
  6. Get Regular Trims. ...
  7. Avoid Heat Styling.

Can I put my hair in a ponytail after a perm?

Do not tie your hair into a ponytail or a bun. Let your hair open for 1 day or 2 days. It will avoid any deformation in your curls and help to maintain its shape. Also trim your hair every 4-5 weeks.

How to make perm last longer?

A perm will dry out your hair, so it will need more moisture and less heat. Embrace air drying or using a diffuser when blow-drying. This also helps activate your curls, which will maintain the perm for longer. And if you must use heat, at least prep your strands with heat protection.

How to style permed hair in the first 48 hours?

You don't. Do your best not to touch it at all during the first 48 hours, or even longer, 72 or 96 hours if you can hold out. During the first few days the perm is still setting itself. The longer you wait before washing or brushing or combing or otherwise styling it, the more robust the curls will be.

Can I put leave-in conditioner on permed hair?

Using leave-in conditioner

They protect hair for blow drying and heat styling. They give dyed and permed hair extra nourishment and stop breakage. And leave-in conditioner is vital to support curly hair's shape, bounce, and texture.

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