7 tips before your hair perm - Picasso Hair Studio (2024)

FAQs

How should I prep my hair before a perm? ›

Gently cleanse hair with a clarifying shampoo. This will remove oil, debris, and product build-up that could prevent absorption of the waving lotion—but do NOT use conditioner before perming. Finally, rinse thoroughly, apply a towel, and re-evaluate to make a final determination on whether hair is perm-able.

Tip 1 - Bleached/Pre Lightened hair cannot be permed

Bleached/Pre Lightened hair cannot be permed until the bleached portion has been totally cut off. If bleached hair is permed, the hair will either frizz out or the curls will have no bounce and straighten very quickly.

Don't comb thru your hair during the first 48 hours. Leave it alone as much as possible. Don't use any products in your hair especially leave ins and conditioners. You want to try to keep your hair on the same ph level until the waiting period is up.

You should shampoo your hair only 48 hours after the perming process. This is because your hair is very fragile and it needs time to adjust to the chemicals used in your treatment. Use a shampoo which is specially meant for “chemically treated hair”.

Getting a perm changes the outer layers of your hair, which can lead to dry, frizzy locks. If your hair is already damaged or dry from bleaching or coloring, a perm might not be for you.

The disulphide bonds can only be broken with heat (as happens in 'permanent waving' hair treatment), but hydrogen bonds are affected by water, so the individual molecules can change their shape temporarily when wet.

A shampoo, conditioner, or any product really, with an excessive level of alcohol in the ingredients can bring damage and frizz to your perm.

Multi-Textured Perm

For the most natural-looking curls that aren't uniform or obvious, a multi-textured perm creates curls of varying textures by combining different-sized rollers and rods. The result is a mix of tight curls and loose waves for a natural-looking curl pattern that resembles naturally wavy hair.

Treat your permed hair gently – washing just once a week with warm water is perfectly adequate. And use dry shampoo between washes if your roots get dirty – formulas are available for chemically treated hair that can add volume and moisture.

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!

What causes a perm to fail? ›

Using the wrong timing

The chemical needs to stay on the hair for a specified length of time. 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.

Avoid Washing Hair: Don't wash your hair 24-48 hours before the perm, as natural oils can protect the scalp during the chemical process. Trim Damaged Ends: Get a trim to remove split ends and ensure even curling. Conduct a Patch Test: A patch test can determine if you have allergies to the perm solution.

Hold Off on Styling

At most, you can finger-comb your curls, or if you have to, use a wide-toothed comb in the shower after applying conditioner. "Even the most basic hairstyles or hair accessories can potentially cause your perm to break or set in an unwanted shape," said Breuer.

Before perming, your stylist will shampoo your hair with a clarifying shampoo or give you a clarifying treatment to eliminate mineral or styling product build-up on the hair.

Used before a perming or straightening service, it helps the hair develop even waves from roots to ends and balances its porosity to give beautifully smooth hair fibres.

Don't rewash your hair again before your appointment.

After you've washed your hair with clarifying shampoo, your scalp will need about a week to build its natural oil back up. Those oils, called sebum, will help protect your scalp from the chemicals in the relaxer.