A perm, like other hair treatments, offers you the opportunity to change the natural texture of your hair. They open up your hairstyling routine to a whole new world of versatility.
But, as with all chemical hair treatments, you've got to wonder whether it could damage your hair. Whether you've had a perm in the past or are rocking a perm now, we'll tell you for sure if a perm can damage your hair.
Do Perms Damage Your Hair?
Perms can lead to damaged hair if done incorrectly due to the harsh chemical process used by most perm solutions. There is little room for error when introducing new chemicals to your delicate strands. Chemical burns, dry hair, breakage, and more are possible when you perm your hair. To understand how perms can damage your hair, you should know how modern-day perms work.
Key Takeaways
- What is a Perm? Let's start by defining the term "perm." A perm is a treatment that utilizes potent chemicals to permanently alter the structure of your hair. The treatment can take your hair from straight to wavy, curly, coily, or kinky. Unsurprisingly, "perm" is short for the word permanent - once your hair is permed, it will keep the shape of that new texture indefinitely. But it's important to understand that it doesn't change how your natural hair grows back. You'll eventually need touch-up perms to treat your new growth for a uniform look.
- Chemical Treatment Risks: Perms involve using a chemical solution, typically containing ammonium thioglycolate, to alter hair bonds and create long-lasting curls. This process can lead to damaged, brittle hair, especially if improperly mixed or applied.
- Hair Health Considerations: Assess your hair's health before opting for a perm. Fine hair, previously treated hair, or hair with reduced natural oils might be more susceptible to damage. Ensuring hair is in good condition beforehand is crucial.
- Types of Perms: Various perm types, such as body waves or soft waves, suit different hair types. Modern perms offer diverse styles, from tight curls to beachy waves, but the choice should align with your hair's natural texture and health.
- Post-Perm Care: Prioritize your hair's health to prevent further damage after a perm. Avoid additional chemical treatments, use gentle home care routines, and consider regular trims to maintain healthy hair growth and appearance.
- Professional vs. DIY: For best results and to minimize risks, seek a professional perm service. They can recommend the best perm and perming solution for your hair type, ensuring less damage and better outcomes than DIY approaches.
The Damaging Perm Process
The chemicals in perm lotions and solutions work to open up the outer layer of the hair called the cuticle. Once the solution softens the outer cuticle layer enough, the chemicals make their way to the cortex and medulla, the innermost layers of the hair strands.
Ammonium thioglycolate, the main chemical in many perming solutions, is responsible for breaking your hair's bonds (e.g., disulfide bonds, protein bonds) to render them pliable. A neutralizer, like hydrogen peroxide, is then applied to rebuild the bonds of the hair in the shape of the rollers chosen by the hairstylist.
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The Result
Since perms are intended to literally hijack your hair strands and change them from the inside out, there is a high chance your newly textured hair may turn out damaged.
The work that ammonium thioglycolate and other chemicals in perms do to give you that authentic look can leave hair brittle, weak, and breakage-prone. Some ladies also experience hair thinning in addition to serious breakage.
This potential damage is less likely on unprocessed hair, but if your hair has been chemically "processed" previously, you're more likely to experience damage (e.g., perming highlighted hair could be problematic).
Hair damage during perms can occur when the optimal pH levels of the hair and scalp are disrupted. The natural pH of the hair is between 3.5 and 5.5. Chemicals in perms have pH levels as high as 9.6.
When these high-pH chemicals come in contact with the hair and scalp, they can upset your normal pH levels. When the hair's pH balance is thrown off, the scalp can become oily, itchy, dehydrated, and irritated.
Thermal Perms (Heated Perms)
Some perm treatments combine the use of heat with chemicals (e.g., heated or hot perms). Stylists often use heated rods to set the curls in place and encourage your hair strands to conform to the new texture.
If your hair is exposed to the heat for too long or if the temperature is too high, your hair will suffer. This chemical and heat combination can wreak havoc on the hair, causing dryness, breakage, and even hair loss in extreme cases.
Note: Even if your hair survives the initial perming process, it doesn't mean you're out of the woods. Damage can crop up weeks, months, or years after a perm. When possible, we recommend that ladies avoid heat styling. Since perms are damaging, we recommend cold perms over hot perms.
How to Minimize Perm Damage Before and During the Perming Process
Although there is a risk of hair damage during the perming process, there are tips you can utilize to protect your curls and keep your hair healthy. Keep reading to learn how to lessen perm damage before and during the perming process.
Here is what you should do before getting a perm:
Assess the Wellness of Your Hair and Scalp
Before even thinking about scheduling an appointment for a perm or buying a DIY perm kit, you need to determine if your hair is healthy enough to undergo the process.
As mentioned before, perms put your hair under significant stress. If your hair is already in bad condition, a perm will only make the state of your hair and scalp worse.
If you are interested in receiving a comprehensive analysis of the health of your hair and scalp, you can visit a trichologist or a dermatologist. You can also evaluate the health of your hair and scalp right at home.
To perform a quick wellness check of your hair and scalp, use your best judgment and rely on your senses. If your hair looks and feels dry and lifeless, you should probably rethink that perm treatment.
Be sure to watch for split ends and breakage when conducting your hair and scalp wellness check, as they signify unhealthy hair.
Steer Clear of All Chemical Treatments
Overloading your hair and scalp with chemicals is never a good idea, especially if you plan on getting a perm. It is best to start a perm with virgin hair. Introducing other chemicals before a perm can harm your hair, possibly causing irreversible damage.
If you have recently color-treated your hair, you might want to delay getting a perm for a few weeks or until your hair has had time to recover.
Color treatments loosely mimic perms in that they break through the cuticle layer to inject color into the hair. A new color treatment can leave your cuticle layer weak and susceptible to damage. Adding a perm to the mix could destroy your hair beyond repair.
Avoid Excessive Heat Styling
Many people love experimenting with heat to spice up their styling routines and nail particular looks. But if you have a perm appointment coming up, save the heat styling for another time.
Follow these tips to minimize damage during the perming process.
Get Your Perm Done by a Professional Stylist
The DIY craze has taken the hair industry by storm. With social media and Google at our fingertips, otherwise, careful people have become overly ambitious, attempting complex hair treatments at home.
However, if you want the most success and the least damage, invest in a professional perm from a local hair care professional. Because a perm is permanent, you'll want to be as careful as possible with your delicate tresses.
For visual learners, watch the video below from Saidova Elena, where she details the process for permanent waves.
Do Not Leave the Perm On For Longer Than Recommended Time
No matter what perm lotion, cream, or solution you use, there will be a specified time that it can safely remain on the hair. This time is typically located on the product label.
Generally, a perm shouldn't be on the hair any longer than 15-20 minutes. Allowing the perm to sit on the hair longer than the recommended time can cause scalp burns, hair breakage, and hair loss (i.e., hair fall in some cultures).
Taking Care of Your Hair Post-perm
Less is more when it comes to avoiding damage after a perm. Below are a few tips (for all hair types) that you can follow after your perm to keep your hair looking and feeling healthy.
- Avoid chemical treatments like dyes, rinses, and texturizers.
- Keep your hair moisturized to prevent breakage and split ends.
- Limit heat styling (e.g., hair dryer, flat iron, etc.).
- Try loose styles. Tight styles that tug at the hair and scalp will cause hair breakage.
Should You Get a Perm?
A perm can be a fun way to see what your hair looks like in a completely different texture. And you may thoroughly enjoy a perm if you are bored with the current texture of your hair.
Styles that look bland to you in your original hair texture will look extraordinary with the flair that a perm brings.
On the other hand, a perm is not for everyone. If you like changing the texture of your hair very frequently, you should not get a perm.
Also, if you enjoy dyeing or bleaching your hair every couple of weeks, a perm is not for you. After a perm, you should avoid hair dye and bleach-like the plague. Your hair will not be able to handle it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to our FAQ section, where we address common questions about perms and their impact on your hair's health. Here, you'll find straightforward answers to help you understand the effects of perms and how to care for your hair.
Do Perms Permanently Damage Hair?
Perms involve a chemical treatment process, typically with a perming solution containing thioglycolic acid, which alters the hair's natural structure. This can lead to temporary changes in hair texture, from straight hair to curly hair or vice versa. However, perms do not permanently damage your hair when used correctly. Damage, when it occurs, is often due to improper application or inadequate hair care post-treatment. Maintaining healthy hair after a perm involves regular home care and possibly regular trims.
Does Perm Cause Hair Loss?
While perms change the structure of hair using chemical solutions, they do not typically cause hair loss directly. However, improper mixing of chemicals or excessive treatment can lead to hair follicle stress and subsequent weakening or hair breakage. This can give the appearance of hair loss. Ensuring your perm is done correctly, and your hair is well taken care of afterward can mitigate this risk.
Does Your Hair Go Back to Normal After a Perm?
A perm alters hair bonds to change its texture, but this doesn't permanently change new hair growth. Over time, as hair grows out, its natural texture will reappear. The time until your hair returns to its natural state depends on your hair's growth rate and hair length. Perms generally last a few months, after which the natural texture of the new hair becomes visible.
Are Perms Ever a Good Idea?
Perms can be a good idea for ladies seeking a change in their hair texture, like adding curls to straight hair or vice versa, and can add volume and style. The key is to ensure your hair is in healthy condition before undergoing a perm and that a professional stylist conducts the chemical service. Different hair types and textures require specific types of perms, such as body waves or soft waves, for the best results.
Do Perms Ruin Your Hair Forever?
Perms use chemicals to alter hair bonds, but do not ruin your hair forever. The effects of perms are temporary, and your hair will typically recover over time, especially with proper aftercare. Using quality perm solutions and ensuring your hair is in good condition before the treatment helps prevent long-term damage.
How Long Do Perms Damage Your Hair?
The duration of damage caused by perms varies depending on your hair's health, the type of perm, and aftercare. Typically, any damage is most evident immediately after the perm and can last a few weeks to a few months. Proper care, which includes moisturizing treatments and avoiding further chemical processes, can help restore your hair's health over time. Regular trims can also help manage any damage by removing brittle ends.
Related Articles
- Different Types of Perms for Thin Hair
- How To Do a Beach Wave Perm
- What Can I Use To Make My Relaxed Hair Curly?
- How To Get Shirley Temple Curls
No matter what precautions you take, a perm (i.e., putting perm lotion on your hair) will inevitably cause some degree of damage to your hair structure due to the chemicals involved in the process.
However, you can minimize damage and preserve the health of your hair by implementing the tips outlined in this article. We hope that we have addressed all of your concerns about perm damage.
