Perm side effects include hair damage (dryness, breakage, frizz), scalp issues (irritation, burns, redness, itching), and potential allergic reactions (rashes, swelling, respiratory issues) due to chemicals like ammonium thioglycolate. Risks are higher with fragile hair, heat, or improper application, but even healthy hair can suffer, leading to compromised health, so proper aftercare and professional consultation are crucial.
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.
"Over-bleached hair, highlighted hair, over-colored hair, and porous hair types should not get a perm," says James, "as the hair will disintegrate."
Perming may also lead to thinning hair as a result of breakage along the shaft rather than hair fall from the follicle. Because it is a drying treatment, perms can impair the strength of the hair shaft, leaving it weak, brittle and prone to breakage.
Straight hair offers a natural, low-maintenance option with less chemical damage. It's versatile for various styles, providing a neat look without the frizz. On the other hand, permed hair can be easier to style for those seeking bouncy curls, but it often comes with a sacrifice in hair health due to potential damage.
Perm Results Can Be Unpredictable
You might end up with a different curl pattern than you expected or hair that is too curly or not curly enough. This unpredictability can lead to dissatisfaction with the results and make you regret getting the perm in the first place.
Always remember the first cardinal rule of perm maintenance ha! That you're forbidden to wet your hair for at least 24 hours after getting a perm at the risk of deactivating the ammonium thioglycolate.
Perm may be short for 'permanent,' but its lifespan can vary. 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.
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. To plop your hair, use a conditioner and wrap your hair up in a microfiber cloth. Then, plop the excess right on top of your head and secure it there!
Post perm care
Do not brush or pull hair for 24-48 hours. Use a wide tooth comb or pick to untangle your hair. relax your curl. Use a towel scrunching method to dry your locks.
Traditional perms are more damaging than hot perms since they use stronger solutions. Martinez explained that post-perm hair may potentially be more prone to frizz or dryness because perming solution strips natural oil — you know, just some collateral damage from a chemical restructuring.
Hair that can't be permed includes severely damaged, bleached, or chemically treated hair (like keratin or henna), hair with scalp irritation, very fine hair prone to breakage, or hair that has been recently chemically straightened, as these conditions risk excessive damage, frizz, or failure to hold the curl, with virgin hair being the best candidate for a successful perm.
Pros of Perms
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.
While certain conditioning and smoothing treatments can help flatten the hair cuticle and make your hair feel smoother, any perm-related damage is likely to be permanent [2].
The normal time period between perms is three to four months for short to medium-length hair as long as hair is trimmed or cut two or three times within this period. Your stylist can help you make this decision.
Getting a green card through PERM is a multi-step process. It generally takes about 2-3 years, but can be much longer for people born in China or India.
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.
Whether you just got box braids, a perm, or a keratin treatment, sleeping with a bonnet is recommended by hairstylists to help keep your style in place as you sleep.
You have to wait for 48 hours after the hair is permed before washing it. Once you do wash it, just wash it normally like you did before you got it permed, no special methods needed.
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.
Ideally your hair should be shoulder-length or longer for a perm to look its best, but you can perm hair that's up to 2 inches long - this is the minimum hair length for a perm, because it's just long enough to be wrapped around a perming rod.
You heard it here before anywhere else; perms are making a comeback! Now, they're not quite the ultra-curly perms that we saw in the 80s. Instead, they're more natural-looking and are popular with teenage boys and girls. A perm is a great way to add some texture and intrigue to your hair.
Hair that can't be permed includes severely damaged, bleached, or chemically treated hair (like keratin or henna), hair with scalp irritation, very fine hair prone to breakage, or hair that has been recently chemically straightened, as these conditions risk excessive damage, frizz, or failure to hold the curl, with virgin hair being the best candidate for a successful perm.
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.
Objectively smaller curls are more achievable on much shorter hair. Assuming a smaller curl, hair needs to be at least 2.5 to 3 inches (6 to 8 cm) long to be permed.