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Should You Wash Your Hair Before Getting a Perm?

Getting a perm can give your hair extra body and bounce or create beautiful curls or waves. But to help ensure your perm comes out looking its best, proper prep is essential. One of the key steps is washing your hair beforehand. Here's what you need to know about washing hair before perming.

Why You Should Wash Your Hair Before Perm

There are a few important reasons why washing your hair prior to a perm is recommended:

• Removes dirt, oil, and product buildup - Your hair needs to be as clean as possible before perming so the chemicals can penetrate and treat the hair properly.
• Avoids chemical interactions - Any hair products left on your strands could interact with perm chemicals, causing unpredictable results.
• Helps prevent perm odor - Washing gets rid of odors so they don't get "cooked in" and linger after perming.
• Enhances perm effectiveness - Clean hair allows the perm solution to penetrate the hair cuticle better for more even curl formation.
• Creates better perm rod tension - Oil and dirt make hair slippery, which can prevent proper rod wrapping.

When to Wash Your Hair Before Perm

Ideally, you'll want to wash your hair within 24 hours before your perm appointment. Washing hair the same day as perming is best. Here are some wash day time frame guidelines:

• Day before perm: Wash hair 24 hours beforehand.
• Day of perm: Wash hair 2-4 hours before perm. Or, shampoo at the salon right before perming.
• Day after last wash: If it's been 2+ days since you washed hair, shampoo again right before perming.

Washing your hair multiple times, both the day before and day of, can further prep strands for perm processing. Talk with your stylist about their ideal wash day timeline.

How to Wash Hair Before Perm

It's not just when you wash your hair that's important, but also how. Follow these tips for properly washing hair pre-perm:

• Use a clarifying shampoo - Thoroughly cleanse hair by removing buildup from any products.
• Skip conditioner - Applying conditioner adds back coating you just removed.
• Dry hair fully - Excess moisture can dilute perm chemicals.
• Avoid hair products - Hold off on gels, mousse, oils until after the perm.
• Detangle gently - Comb through knots carefully to avoid excess breakage.
• Divide hair into sections - Part hair into workable sections before perming to save time.

Be sure to use a shampoo without added moisturizers, proteins, or oils so it can thoroughly clean. Aim to strip away any coating while still maintaining integrity of the hair shaft.

What if You Can't Wash Before Perm?

While washing right before is best, it isn't always possible. Heres what to do if you cant shampoo beforehand:

• Use dry shampoo - Spray it on to absorb oil and freshen hair.
• Bring shampoo to salon - Ask stylist to wash your hair right before perming.
• Spot clean with water - Dampen any visibly dirty sections of hair as needed.
• Skip touch-ups - Without washing, avoid perming new growth until next visit.
• Request a gentler formula - Ammonium thioglycolate perms may be better for unwashed hair.

When you can't fully shampoo beforehand, be sure to inform your stylist. They can then take extra precautions and adjust the perm process accordingly.

Perming Without Properly Washing Hair First

It's possible to get a perm without washing your hair first, but this is not recommended. Here are some potential issues that can occur:

• Chemical reactions - Product residue could react with perm solution and alter results.
• Inconsistent curls - Oil and dirt make it hard to wrap rods properly and evenly.
• Weak curls - Chemicals won't penetrate unwashed hair as effectively for curled hold.
• Hair damage - Chemical processing on dirty hair usually causes more dryness and breakage.
• Color changes - Tinting agents may oxidize differently on unclean hair and fade.
• Frizz and fuzz - Oil and dirt leave hair prone to frizzing instead of defined curls.
• Faster straightening - Perms wear out and straighten faster when hair isn't prepped properly.

Perming dirty hair can lead to all kinds of undesirable perm results. Always clarify hair beforehand whenever possible for shiny, bouncy curls that last.

Will the Salon Wash Hair Before Perming?

Most salons will offer to wash your hair either before or during the perm process. However, don't count on this. Always wash hair yourself beforehand because:

• Salons may charge extra fees for wash services.
• Time constraints may not allow washing once you arrive.
• Last-minute washes won't be as thorough.
• Your stylist will appreciate hair being prepped in advance.

Check with the individual salon if they'll wash hair on perm day. But your best bet is to shampoo thoroughly yourself the day of and arrive with clean strands ready to perm.

How to Wash Hair After Perm

After all the chemical processing, your new permed hair will need extra moisture and TLC. Follow these post-perm wash tips:

• Wait 48 hours before washing if possible.
• Use a gentle, moisturizing shampoo.
• Apply a hydrating conditioner mid-lengths to ends.
• Rinse with cool water to seal cuticles.
• Gently blot curls dry and air dry fully.
• Avoid heat styling immediately after perming.

The first few washes after perming are critical to keeping curls healthy, defined, and frizz-free. Use a damage repairing shampoo and conditioner formulated for permed or curly hair.

How Often to Wash Permed Hair

After the initial post-perm wash, you'll want to maintain your bouncy curls by washing 1-2 times per week. Here are some washing tips for permed hair:

• Shampoo less often, only 1-2 times a week.
• Use a moisturizing, sulfate-free shampoo.
• Rotate between different shampoo formulas.
• Apply conditioner from mid-shaft down.
• Rinse thoroughly with cool water.
• Gently blot dry with a towel.
• Let air dry instead of heat styling.

Too frequent washing with harsh shampoos can cause perm straightening and damage. Keep your new curls looking fabulous by washing gently just a few times a week.

Tips for Washing Permed Hair

Follow these tips whenever you wash your permed hair to keep curls healthy and strong:

• Detangle first: Use a wide-tooth comb on damp hair to gently work out knots.
• Shampoo scalp focus: Concentrate lather only on the roots to prevent curls drooping.
• Rinse upside down: Flip hair forward while rinsing to boost volume.
• Squish in conditioner: Scrunch strands to encourage curl formation.
• Blot dry: Gently squeeze out excess moisture with a towel.
• Air dry: Let curls fully dry rather than using hot tools.
• No brushing: Avoid damaging brushed-out curls by finger combing only.

Treat your permed hair gently, keeping up moisture and hydration. With the proper at-home care, your fabulous perm can last for months.

How to Make Permed Hair Last Longer

Taking good care of your permed hair is key to prolonging its lifespan. Here are tips to help perms last:

• Wash hair less frequently, 1-2 times per week.
• Use reparative shampoos and masques.
• Apply leave-in conditioning treatments.
• Sleep on a silk pillowcase.
• Let curls air dry instead of heat styling.
• Wear hair down versus in tight styles.
• Use gentle styling products like foam or mousse.
• Get regular trims to prevent split ends.
• Go easy with hot tools to avoid damage.

With proper at-home maintenance between salon touch-ups, you can extend the longevity of your perm. Avoid overwashing, heat damage, and friction from tight hairstyles so your curls stay fabulous months longer.

How Often to Get a Perm Touch Up

As your new hair grows in, your perm will start to loosen up at the roots. Plan to get a touch up every 3-6 months to renew your curls. Here are some factors to consider regarding perm touch up frequency:

• Your natural hair growth rate
• How soon your curls drop or go straight
• If you're perming just the roots or all over again
• The type of perm formula previously used
• How well you care for your permed hair
• If you color or chemically treat hair in between perms

Talk to your stylist about when to schedule touch ups. Depending on your hair, every 3-4 months is fairly typical. Proper aftercare can extend this to 5-6 months between appointments.

Perming Damaged Hair

Getting a perm on already damaged hair is risky. The chemical processing involved puts fragile strands at risk. If you still want to perm damaged hair, consider these precautions:

• Wait until hair is healthy if severe damage, do a big chop first
• Use a gentle perm formula for fragile hair
• Skip perms on bleached, relaxed, or color-treated hair
• Just perm the roots instead of full head
• Ask stylist to pretreat hair with protein or bond repair
• Streamline other chemical services before/after perm

Perms involve strong chemicals that weaken hair structure, especially if already compromised. Have an honest talk with your stylist to create the safest perm plan possible for damaged hair.

Can You Perm Bleached Hair?

Bleaching your hair causes significant damage, so perming right after is extremely risky. Here's what to know about perming bleached hair:

• Wait 1-2 months after bleaching before perming.
• Opt for partial perms just on roots or ends first.
• Use a gentle formula like ammonium thioglycolate instead of sodium hydroxide.
• Ask stylist to customize weaker chemical solution.
• Plan for likely uneven curl take and frizz.
• Expect further dryness and breakage.

If you must perm immediately after bleaching, accept less consistent results. Wait until hair is healthier whenever possible by following your stylist's advice.

Perming After Relaxing Hair

Getting a perm right after a chemical straightening relaxer is also very damaging. Here are precautions for perming relaxed hair:

• Wait at least 6-8 weeks after relaxing before perming.
• Stretch relaxer touch ups before/after perm.
• Only perm the new growth, not entire head.
• Use a milder perm formula made for fragile hair.
• Treat hair with protein and repairing conditioners.
• Keep heated tools away in between chemical services.

Perms and relaxers both severely compromise hair's strength. Be cautious with timing to allow hair to recover. Prioritize moisture and minimal heat for the healthiest curls possible.

Perming Short Hair

Getting a perm on shorter hair can create beautiful, touchable curls. Here are some tips specific to perming short hair:

• Opt for large, loose waves rather than tight spirals.
• Perm ends under instead of over for lifted volume.
• Alternate rod sizes to add dimension.
• Use flexi-rods on very short styles for softer curls.
• Have some longer face-framing pieces.
• Add texturizing products like salt spray for separation.

The right perm techniques can make short hair bouncy and full of movement. Consult your stylist on the best options for achieving great short curly styles.

Best Perm Hairstyles for Short Hair

These popular looks are great perm options for short hair:

• Pixie perm: Tight corkscrews or beach waves give fun texture.
• Bob perm: Defined curls or waves add movement and flip.
• Shag perm: Bumped under layers create loads of volume.
• Afro perm: Tight coils boost short natural hair.
• Finger wave perm: Sculpted S-waves offer retro chic.

The right perm look can make short hair so

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.