Will my hair ever be straight again after a perm?

Author: Dwight Frami  |  Last update: Tuesday, June 10, 2025

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.

Can your hair go back straight after a perm?

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 your hair grow back to normal after a perm?

This chemical treatment will soften or grow out over time. Your perm should last around three to six months, although this depends on your hair type (fine waves or curls may drop out quicker), as well as how well you take care of it after your treatment.

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

Restoring hair after a bad perm involves patience and proper care. Start by trimming damaged ends, then nourish your hair with deep conditioning treatments and avoid heat styling. Consider using products formulated to repair and strengthen hair. Additionally, consult with a professional stylist for personalized advice.

What do I do if I don't like my perm?

The quickest way to get rid of a bad perm is to go back to the stylist who gave you the perm and ask for the perm to be reversed. You could go to a beauty school and request the perm be reversed. If the perm has damaged your hair, then perhaps it would be wise to cut the hair off. If t...

The Truth About Perming Your Hair!

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.

What to do if my perm is too curly?

First, condition hair immediately, then blow-dry hair using a large round brush. You may also need to set hair on large rollers. If your perm is still too curly, ask you stylist about a curl reducing service. Never use chemical straighteners or relaxers on permed hair because they could damage it.

How to make permed hair straight again?

Steps
  1. Wash your hair. Choose a smoothing conditioner and a gentle shampoo. ...
  2. Apply a straightening product. Choose a product that works for your hair type. ...
  3. Dry your hair for a blown-out look. ...
  4. Choose the right flat iron, if you want a sleek look. ...
  5. Find the appropriate heat setting. ...
  6. Straighten your hair.

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 turn permed hair back to natural?

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.

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.

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.

Is a perm reversible?

Perms can last up to six months, O'Connor tells us. However, unlike hair color, a perm won't wash out and can't be chemically reversed. A perm always has to grow out—but, thankfully, they typically grow out as natural-looking waves.

Will my hair ever be the same after a perm?

Perms work by permanently waving your hair through shape memory. Though the name suggests these waves will last forever, they're temporary. Perms can damage your hair over time. If you don't take care of your scalp health, you could get hair loss.

How to reverse permanent hair straightening?

How do I get it back to the way it was before? If it was temporarily straightened, you can just wash it and it should go curly. If it was permanently straightened, then you could either braid it to hide the straightness, or get it curled properly.

How do you get your curls back after a straight perm?

Moisturize your hair to bring back that bounce: To get your curls back, moisture is your best friend. The more hydrated your hair is, the more manageable your curls become, which means less wear and tear on your precious curls helping prevent any further damage and help preserve the elasticity of each hair strand.

Does permed hair ever go back to normal?

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

How to fix your hair after a bad perm?

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.

Will hair loss from perm grow back?

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 long does it take for a perm to go back to straight hair?

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. Normally, a perm will last for at least three to six months, which means it takes a couple of years for the curl to completely disappear from the perm.

What not to do straight after a perm?

After getting a perm, it's important to give your hair time to set before washing it. This means waiting at least 48 hours before shampooing your hair. During this time, avoid getting your hair wet, and don't tie it back in a ponytail or bun. Doing so could disrupt the curl pattern and cause your perm to fall out.

What is a reverse perm called?

Straight perm

This last style is for those who already have curly hair naturally or through a perm and want to reverse the process. 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.

What to do when you don't like 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 long does your hair stay curly after a perm?

depending on factors like hair type, aftercare and the perm type. Generally, perms can last from 2 to 6 months. Does perming damage hair? Perming involves using chemicals that break.

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.

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