Should I Wet My Permed Hair Every Day? Tips for Caring for Freshly Permed Locks

Should I Wet My Permed Hair Everyday?

If you recently got a perm, you may be wondering how often you can wash or wet your new curly locks. Perms require special care to help your curls last longer and stay healthy. Most experts advise against wetting permed hair daily.

However, rules arent set in stone when it comes to haircare. What works for one person may not suit the next. Get to know how water affects permed hair and why over-washing can cause issues. Then make adjustments based on your hair type and lifestyle needs.

How Does Water Affect Permed Hair?

To understand why frequent washing harms freshly permed hair, it helps to know what happens during the perm process. Chemicals break and restructure internal bonds in your hair to reshape the strands.

Water causes these delicate new bonds to contract and expand. Too much too soon can lead to the perm loosening quickly or becoming undefined. Essentially the memory setting the curl gets disrupted.

Wetting permed hair daily essentially shocks it repeatedly before it sets into place. Imagine undoing and rebraiding the same loose knot in a thread over and over. Eventually it frays beyond repair.

Reasons to Limit Washing Permed Hair

Most salon experts recommend waiting 48-72 hours before getting permed hair wet. Some even advise avoiding water entirely for up to a week post-perm.

Here are reasons you should minimize washing permed tresses:

Prevent Early Straightening

When wet, permed hair stretches out and loses form easily. If water reentry happens too soon, the new bonds can relax versus hold, leading to quickly deflating curls.

Reduce Dryness & Frizz

Frequent washing strips essential moisture from permed locks. This can exacerbate dryness and frizz which already tend to plague curly dos. Let natural oils distribute longer before shampooing.

Avoid Over-Processing

Harsh cleansers and vigorous wash methods can further damage vulnerable permed strands. Chemical services coupled with repeated wetting causes overprocessing which weakens and breaks hair.

Minimize Product Buildup

Repeated water exposure can lock in residue rather than wash it away if done too soon. Let the perm set fully before introducing other products that may leave behind buildup.

How Soon Can You Wet Permed Hair Post-Treatment?

Most experts suggest waiting 48-72 hours before wetting freshly permed hair. This gives bonds time to reform before shocking them with water exposure. However, extension to one week is even better if possible.

That said, you likely cant avoid water for 7 whole days. As long as you approach wetting cautiously, permed hair can withstand gentle cleansing much sooner.

Tips to Minimize Damage When Washing Post-Perm:

If your permed tresses demand freshening up before 48 hours, follow these tips to reduce potential harm:

Use Dry Shampoo

Use dry shampoo between washes to refresh hair. Focus on roots and avoid disrupting curl formation.

Rinse With Cool Water

Rinse hair with lukewarm to cool water when wetting between shampoos. Skip hot which can swell strands.

Shampoo Lightly

Gently massage in sulfate-free shampoo midlengths to ends when you do lather up. Avoid matting curls against your scalp.

Condition Well

Always follow shampoo with a nourishing curl-safe conditioner. Perms require extra moisture to stay healthy.

Detangle With Care

Carefully finger detangle damp strands coated in conditioner to prevent breakage. Start from bottom up.

Let Air Dry

Avoid heatstyling and rub hair with towel when drying freshly permed locks. Air dry or use cool setting if diffusing.

Creating a Permed Hair Washing Routine

Once the first 48 hours pass, you can introduce more regular shampooing into your new permed haircare routine. Follow these tips when establishing washing frequency:

Consider Lifestyle Factors First

Theres no universal rule for ideal perm washing frequency. Consider your activity levels, styling habits, and hair needs.

Do you exercise daily or have an oily scalp? You may require shampooing every 2 days. Have dry, fragile hair? Space washes 5-7 days apart.

Wash As Needed

Learn to shampoo based on actual dirt and oil buildup versus a set timeline. Train your eye to assess when hair looks grubby versus relying solely on a schedule.

This prevents overwashing which dries out strands. But also avoids under-washing which causes scalp issues for some.

Adjust as Hair Changes

As your perm starts settling into a wearable style, youll likely need less frequent cleansing. Many can maintain bouncy curls with only 1-2 weekly washes.

Watch hair over the first 6 weeks and tweak your routine as needed. Err on the side of washing too little while the perm sets.

Use Cleansing Conditioners

Rotate traditional surfactant shampoos with co-washing products containing gentle cleansers. These maintain balance on days when hair seems dirty but too much detergent would dry it out.

Spot Clean Strategically

Utilize dry shampoo to refresh hair between full washes, spraying just on the roots. Or dampen unruly pieces with water and conditioner versus doing full wetting sessions.

Preserve Curls at Night

Sleep with hair wrapped in a silk scarf or on a satin pillowcase. This minimizes friction that can lead oil and dirt to transfer requiring more frequent cleansing.

Daily Hair Care Tips for Permed Locks

You dont have to wet perm hair daily to help it lookfabulous day-to-day. Use these tips for maximizing andprotecting style between washes:

Start With a Good Base

Thoroughly shampoo and condition hair first beforeperm solution is applied for healthy canvasto hold curls.

Air Dry Perm

Avoid heat styling when hair is freshlypermed. Air drying preserves bonds best.

Sleep Carefully

Tie hair in a loose topknot or use a satin cap beforebed. This prevents tangles that lead to breakage.

Refresh With Dry Shampoo

Spray dry shampoo on roots between shampoos to soaken excess oils for fresher hair days 2-3.

Hydrate Heavy

Scrunch hydrating mists and creams intoparched ends daily. Perms require major moisture.

Tame Strays

Carry small travel sized leave-in conditioner. Coat fingers, smooth and twirl to recurl pieces.

Protect at Night

Cover hairnightly before bed to maintain bounce and shine.

Deep Condition Weekly

Comb a nourishing hair mask throughpermed locks weekly while shampooing less often.

Common Permed Hair Mistakes to Avoid

Many common post-perm snafus lead to complications like quickly deflating curls.Protect your fresh do by avoiding these frequent issues:

Washing Too Soon

Resist getting perm wet for at least 48 hours. This allows bonds to set before shocking hair.

Over-Shampooing

Dont overdo cleansing once you start washing, as this strips hair of needed moisture.

Using the Wrong Products

Stick to salon professional shampoos and conditioners designed for permed hair.

Skipping Conditioner

Always pair shampoo with hydrating conditioner to avoid dry, frizzy curls.

Rough Drying

Gently blot wet permed hair versus rubbing to prevent loosening curl formation.

Not Protecting at Night

Use satin wraps, pillowcases or hair buffs while sleeping to reduce tangles and breakage.

Heat Styling Too Soon

Avoid hot tools until perm is set or only use on cool settings to minimize damage.

While most shouldnt wet perm hair daily, yourspecific needs may vary. Learn warning signs of overwashingand make adjustments to keep curls healthy and hydrated.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.