When Can I Wash My Hair After a Perm – What to Pay Attention

You can get your hair curly or wavy by getting it permed. A perm, which stands for permanent, can give your hair a naturally curly appearance that lasts for months. But to reduce chemical damage, it’s crucial to take good care of your curly hair after a perm, just like with any other chemical treatment.

You shouldn’t wash your hair for 48 hours after getting a perm to prevent damaging the curls and boosting frizz.

All of the inquiries start at this point! “Can you wash your hair after a perm,” “How long after a perm can I wash my hair,” and ultimately “How does your hair behave after I wash it permed?”

What is Hair Perming?

Hair perming is a chemical procedure that converts your hair’s naturally straight texture to curly. Disulfide bonds are the building blocks of human hair. The higher the number of disulfide bonds, the straighter the hair is. Your hair’s disulfide bonds are broken during hair perming by an ammonium thioglycolate solution. The solution’s release of ammonia loosens the hair, enabling you to easily style it however you like.

In hair rebonding, beauticians iron your hair after applying a thick layer of the ammonium thioglycolate solution. In the case of hair perming, your hair is wrapped up in curlers. As a result of the disulfide bonds’ frailty, your hair can change shape.

When Can You Wash Your Hair After a Perm: Myths and Truths

If you are thinking of getting your hair permed, here are some myths and truths about washing hair after a perm and taking care of permed hair that you should know of:

Wash Your Hair After 48 Hours

What happens when I wash my hair after a perm, I hear you ask?

Soaking your hair after a perm within 48 hours of getting one can ruin your curls and make it frizzier. Thus, salons frequently advise clients to wait at least 48 hours before subjecting their hair to water and shampoo.

Even with warm (rather than hot) water, you run the risk of ruining those lovely curls if you wash your hair before 48 hours. Although your hair texture will not return to its original form instantly, you will likely end up with weakly formed curls, with an uneven shape.

There you have it, that is what happens when I wash my hair after a perm! I completely lose the definition of those lovely curls.

Hence, the broad answer to the question “how long after a perm can I wash my hair” is after the time mark of 48 hours after perming passes.

You Can Use Any Shampoo After a Perm

Although hair perming is secure, some dryness may result. Hair perming uses harsh chemicals on your hair that, if you don’t take good care of them, can cause breakage, frizz, and dullness. As a result, it might be suggested to switch to a hydrating shampoo and conditioner after a perm. This will add some bounce to your curls and aid in repairing the harm done by the chemical treatment. As a result, switching to a hydrating shampoo and conditioner after a perm may be advised.

You Cannot Blow Dry Your Hair After a Perm

The effects of blow drying your hair will be the same as they were before a perm, though you may need to be careful when washing it. Heat can cause split ends, dryness, and hair breakage. So while blow-drying your permed hair is not entirely forbidden, it can still help to avoid or limit it. And if you must style your hair, make sure to do so after shampooing it with conditioner and using a good leave-in conditioner.

You Should Not Oil Your Hair After a Perm

Regardless of your hair’s style and texture, oiling can be very beneficial. For one week after getting a perm, most hair experts advise against oiling your hair. However, after that, you can safely oil your permed hair. In actuality, oiling your hair before every wash can keep it moisturized.

Keep in mind that hair perming uses harsh chemicals to alter your hair’s texture permanently. It is therefore advised to never attempt the treatment at home instead to always visit a reputable salon. Discussing your concerns about getting your hair permed with your hairdresser is also helpful. Your hairdresser will be able to offer you personalized advice that can help you keep your hair healthy for a long time.

What Happens When You Wash Permed Hair Too Soon?

Several things can happen that are harmful to the longevity of your new texture when you wash your hair too soon after getting a perm. This section will go over the effects of washing your permed hair too frequently.

The Perm Stops Working

After the chemicals are removed from your hair and you leave the salon or complete your at-home DIY perm, you might believe the process is finished. But the perm continues to work hours after it is washed out.

And as harmless as water may seem, it disrupts the last stage in the perming process. To understand how water interferes with your perm, you need to know how the chemical process affects your hair.

The primary protein surrounding your hair strands, keratin, is broken down by the active chemicals used in a perm.

Individual hair strands’ general structure and texture are formed by this protein. In addition, the keratin is free to adapt to the new curl pattern while the hair is attached to the curling tools, creating waves and curls.

For your strands’ new structure and texture to set in after the perm chemicals are removed, at least 2 to 3 days are required.

Unfortunately, the effects of the perm are negated when water is applied to the hair before the new structure of the hair strands has formed. And the effort you or your stylist put forth is wasted.

The result? Your hair strands will begin to revert to their original texture. Curls that are uneven, loose, and boring are the outcome.

Severe Frizz

The most intense frizz you’ve ever seen is caused by washing a fresh perm. This is due to the fragile condition your hair is in after a perm. We advise against washing your hair right away after getting a perm treatment because of this.

Following a perm, your hair strands’ protective layers, specifically their cuticles, are literally rebuilding themselves. Because the cuticle layers need time to repair, any moisture will cause them to go haywire.

Due to the fact that the cuticle is the hair’s outermost layer, the condition of this layer will determine whether your hair appears neat and smooth or frizzy and damaged.

Having said that, a perm invariably damages the cuticle layer due to the harsh chemicals, causing the hair strands to swell. Additionally, water exacerbates cuticle layer damage, causing hair strands to split and stick up and giving hair a frizzy, untidy appearance.

Can I Shower Immediately After a Perm?

Showering is a much lower-risk activity despite the fact that washing is prohibited in the initial days following your perm. However, you should still take extra precautions to guard your hair while taking showers. In this section, you will learn how to shower carefully to preserve your perm.

How to Shower Without Ruining Your Perm

You don’t have to sacrifice good hygiene for your perm. To maintain your perm (i.e., avoid wet hair) while enjoying a good shower.

Wear a Shower Cap

The best line of defense against a botched perm is to wear a cap while taking a shower. Most of the moisture that would typically seep into your hair strands will be blocked by a shower cap. To maximize the protection offered by your shower cap, follow the advice below.

• Use a Vinyl or Plastic Cap – Shower caps made with these materials work best to seal out moisture during showering. Vinyl and plastic repel water which is necessary when exposing yourself to water after a perm. In a pinch, cloth or silk caps might suffice, but these materials might absorb water, which would then seep into your hair and ruin the perm.
• Ensure All Hair Fits Under Cap – Your normal shower cap size might need to be adjusted because perms make your hair more voluminous. If your cap is too small, your perm may be ruined if hair escapes while you’re taking a shower. It is crucial that you pick the proper cap size and keep your hair covered while taking a shower.

Avoid Steamy Showers

Everyone loves a hot, steamy shower now and then. However, if you have a perm, a scorching hot shower might not be the best choice. Your hard-earned curls or waves could be instantly destroyed by the heat and moisture combination.

Try to keep your showers as short as you can if you prefer hotter showers to minimize the heat and steam. To further allow any heat to escape, you can leave the bathroom door open. Another option to reduce steam buildup is to take a lukewarm to cold shower.

Conclusion

You might not get the desired results if you wash your hair right after getting a perm. After getting your hair permed, give it at least 48 hours before washing it. The best appearance can be achieved by using shampoos made specifically for curly and wavy hair. You also need to moisturize the hair after perming as it loses most of its protein in the perming process. Additionally, maintaining the appearance of permed hair is made easier by using the following advice, such as washing permed hair once a week, combing it with a wide-toothed comb, and tying it up with a silk scarf to reduce frizz.

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