Perm Care That Lasts: Simple Ways to Protect New Curls

Perms are back in a big way, and choosing one can give you the curls, volume, and texture you want. Instead of spending 20-30 minutes each morning curling and coaxing your hair into place, you can scrunch in a little product and head out the door.

Even though they make styling easier, remember this is a chemical process that can leave hair a bit more delicate than usual. Perms need some care and the right products to keep your hair healthy and to hold the look you like. We’ve gathered a few tips to help you get the most from your new texture.

Key Takeaways

• Perms use chemicals to change texture, and can last about six months.

• Cold perms suit coarser hair and create tighter curls, while hot perms favor finer hair.

• Perms work best on healthy, untreated hair, with a minimum length of two inches.

• Overdoing perms can damage hair, so wait 8 to 10 months between treatments.

What is a perm?

The word ‘perm’ shortens ‘permanent hairstyle.’ This technique uses chemicals to give straight hair curls, ringlets, or waves. With modern methods, results are closer to semi-permanent, depending on how you care for your hair afterward and how quickly it grows.

How do perms work?

A perm is a two-stage chemical service that changes your hair’s natural texture by reacting with proteins in the strand to create curls. Stylists typically use rods and rollers in different sizes to avoid uniform curls, which can look dated and less natural.

There are two main techniques used in salons: cold perms and hot, also called digital, perms.

Cold perms

Cold, or traditional, perms often suit coarser hair because the alkaline solution penetrates well and creates tighter, fuller curls. For a cold perm, your stylist wraps your hair on rollers or rods and then applies an alkaline solution.

That solution reacts with the keratin in your hair to form curls and waves. After a set time, usually around 20 minutes though it can vary, your stylist applies a neutralizer to stop the reaction and set the shape.

Hot perms

Hot perms, also called digital perms, can work for finer or thinner hair even though heat is involved. They tend to create silky, long-lasting waves, which is great if you want that beachy look.

This approach uses a milder chemical solution, and your stylist sets your hair on heated rods or rollers to help it take. Because the solution is gentler, the service can take up to two hours, so bring a good book to your appointment.

Can You Get a Perm?

Perms suit healthy, strong hair that hasn’t been bleached, dyed, or chemically treated. If you’re worried your hair might be too compromised for a perm, talk with your stylist; they can advise you best.

People with straight hair often choose perms, but those with curls do as well to add body and bounce or to make their pattern more consistent.

Shoulder-length hair or longer tends to show a perm best, though you can perm hair as short as 2 inches. That’s the minimum length needed to wrap around a perm rod.

4 Popular Perm Options

Once you know a perm makes sense for your hair, the next step is matching the method to your goal. For instance, spiral curls can make your hair look shorter because they’re so tight, while other approaches emphasize lift or soft waves. Choose your curl intensity.

Spiral Perm

Spiral perms make tight, corkscrew curls with lots of movement and punch. They shine on longer lengths, giving a bold, voluminous effect. It’s a solid pick when you want defined curls, but keep in mind the tight pattern can make your hair look noticeably shorter.

Body Wave Perm

If you want a softer, more natural wave, a body wave perm is a good choice. It adds gentle bend and lift, perfect if you prefer an understated boost over dramatic curls. Most hair types and lengths do well with it, and fine, limp hair often gets helpful volume.

Root Perm

Root perms create lift at the scalp to make hair look fuller and thicker. If your hair lies flat or lacks volume near the roots, this option can bring back some body without changing the rest of your hair into full curls or waves.

Spot Perm

Spot perms target specific sections. If certain areas need more curl or wave, or you want mixed textures on purpose, a spot perm lets you customize the result with focused placement.

When you’re choosing a perm, think about your hair type and the finish you want. For fine or limp hair, a body wave or a root perm can add welcome volume.

If you have long hair and want a big change, spiral perms deliver striking curls. Also consider hair health. Heavily processed or damaged hair may need extra care or a different plan.

Perm Care Tips

A perm can refresh your style, whether you’re after new curls or a straighter look. With the right care, it can last up to half a year. Using the right styling products helps the curl shape stay put. If you want your results to last, keep these care points in mind.

1. Avoid Washing Your Hair Too Often

After a perm, your hair needs time to set fully. Don’t wash for the first 2 days because water can relax the new shape. A close friend with a sensitive scalp felt calmer with cooler rinse water. Aim to wash every two or three days. Skip hot water since it dries hair and roughs up the cuticle, which can make strands brittle.

2. Avoid Hair Coloring

A salon perm takes hours, so you might want to color at the same time. Pause. Freshly permed hair is dehydrated and can’t handle another strong chemical service right away. Give it time to recover. Avoid dyeing your hair for 2 weeks before and after your perm.

3. Moisturize and Condition Regularly

Invest in shampoos, conditioners, and a hair oil to care for your perm. Keep your permed hair hydrated day to day.

Products for damaged hair or curl definition are good options. You can use Keyoma Batana oil with Rosemary to add moisture and nutrients. Also, avoid brushing your hair while it’s wet. That can cause frizz and flatten curls. Detangle gently with a wide-tooth comb instead.

4. Avoid Heat Styling

A perm reshapes your hair with strong chemicals, so the fiber is more fragile. Skip flat irons and curling wands for now. Heat can damage permed hair, loosening and flattening the curl pattern. Try not to blow-dry on high heat, which can cause frizz and split ends. If you must use heat, apply a protectant first to help limit damage.

Can Perms Damage Hair?

If you’re careful not to overdo it, a perm shouldn’t harm your hair. Problems can show up if you perm repeatedly without breaks, which may lead to hair loss and breakage.

Modern solutions are less harsh than what was common in the 1980s, but overuse can still cause issues. It’s wise to wait 8-10 months between perms to let your hair recover. In general, plan on perming only 1-2 times a year.

Cold perms may be more damaging than hot perms because they use stronger chemical formulas.

Protect Your Perm With a Gentle Routine: Start Today With Keyoma

Your curls rarely relax evenly, so use that to your advantage. Now, after your next few wash days, take quick photos once hair is fully dry and mark the same pieces that fall first. Next, after each wash, smooth 2-3 drops of oil onto damp ends to cut frizz and help shape hold without stiffness.

Later, when you book a refresh, bring your notes and ask for a root or spot perm only on those mapped areas to limit chemical load while keeping your look. To support this routine, try our Batana Oil with Rosemary direct from us or in our Amazon store.