How to Repair Perm Damaged Hair

Co-authored by Jenny Tran and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: July 21, 2024 References

Perms can be tough on hair, so give your locks some love! Since the perming process can dry out your hair, focus on restoring moisture and protecting your hair from damage. Even making a few changes like adding a weekly deep-moisturizer and air drying your hair can improve the health of your hair. All the extra hydration can make your hair feel softer and less frizzy.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Moisturizing and Repairing Dry Hair

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1
Buy products that include nourishing ingredients like argan oil and glycerin. The harsh chemicals from the perming process have probably dried out your hair, so it needs moisture! Read product labels and find hair products that include super-nourishing ingredients like:^{[1]
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- Argan, avocado, coconut
- Keratin
- Shea butter
- Aloe vera
- Glycerin
- Fatty alcohols like cetearyl alcohol or cetyl alcohol
2
Shampoo your hair with a hydrating product that doesn't contain sulfates. Your hair is probably dry, but it may also be burnt from the perming process. Choose a gentle shampoo that doesn't have sulfates or parabens since these can dry out your hair even more. Instead, use moisturizing shampoo that's formulated for color-treated hair since these do a good job at nourishing processed hair.^{[2]
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- You can also look for shampoos that are designed to repair hair damage.
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3
Use conditioner after you shampoo to hydrate and repair your hair. Shop around for a conditioner that has keratin, a protein that can smooth your hair and reduce frizz. Rub the conditioner onto your palms and run it through your freshly shampooed hair. Try to let it sit on your hair for up to 10 minutes so it penetrates and moisturizes. Then, rinse out all of the conditioner.^{[3]
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- Always use cool or warm water, not hot, so you don't dry out your hair.
4
Work leave-in conditioner into your hair to give it long-lasting moisture.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Jenny Tran
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 19 May 2020.} You might think that your standard conditioner moisturizes your hair, but dry, damaged hair needs even more nourishment. After you rinse the regular conditioner out of your hair, spray a leave-in conditioner or massage a leave-in conditioner cream through your damp hair. The product will hydrate your hair during the day and prevent it from becoming frizzy.
- Remember to read through the ingredients list and choose a leave-in conditioner with healthy oils, glycerin, fatty acids, and protein like keratin.
5
Apply a weekly moisturizing mask to your hair and leave it on for 10 minutes. Once a week, give your hair a deep hydrating session. Buy a nourishing hair mask that's designed to hydrate your hair. Look for one that has coconut or argan oil, shea butter, or avocado oil, for instance. Massage the mask into your hair after you wash it with your shampoo. Then, leave the mask on your hair for 10 minutes before you rinse it out.^{[5]
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- Plan on doing a moisturizing hair mask once a week to improve the health of your hair over time.
- Rub most of the mask into the middle and ends of your hair rather than into your roots since these areas are probably more damaged from the perm.
6
Add a monthly warm olive oil treatment to your hair to help it relax and straighten. If your hair is really frizzy and dry, pour ¹⁄₂ c (120 ml) of olive oil into a pan and turn the burner to low. Once the oil is warm, turn off the burner and let it cool until you can touch it. Massage the oil into your dry hair so it's completely coated and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then, wash your hair with shampoo and rinse it well.^{[6]
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- Use a wide comb to gently work the oil through your hair from root to tip.
- You can do the warm oil treatment once a month until your hair looks smooth and healthy again.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Protecting Your Hair from Damage

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1
Wait a few days between washing your hair. If you're in the habit of washing your hair every day, give your hair a rest since it strips natural oils from your hair.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Jenny Tran
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 19 May 2020.} Waiting an extra day or two keeps your hair moisturized and protected.^{[8]
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- Struggling to skip the shampoo session? Apply a dry shampoo product to your roots if you feel like your hair is greasy or oily.
- Aim to wash your hair 2 to 3 times a week.
2
Use detangling products after washing and conditioning to protect your hair from damage. Frizzy hair tangles together much easier than smooth, healthy hair. To make it easier to brush or comb your hair, spray or brush a detangling product from the ends of your hair to the roots after you finish conditioning your hair. If you don't have a leave-in detangling product, you'll need to rinse out the detangler with warm water.^{[9]
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- Plan on using a detangling product every time you wash your hair. Consider it an extra line of defense from future damage!
3
Treat your hair gently, especially when it's wet. Your damaged hair is even more delicate and prone to breakages when it's wet so don't pull, tug, or harshly brush your wet hair. In fact, don't use a brush or comb on wet hair—use your fingers to detangle and wait until your hair has dried a little before using a wide-toothed comb to gently comb it.^{[10]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists

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- Don't rub your hair vigorously with a towel to dry it since this creates friction that makes your hair frizzy. Instead, wrap or blot your hair with a cotton T-shirt.
4
Air dry your hair to prevent it from becoming frizzy. Permed hair is already prone to dry, frizzy ends, but you'll only make it worse if you blow-dry your hair after washing it. Instead, blot your hair with a T-shirt and let it dry naturally.^{[11]
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Trustworthy Source

American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists

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- You'll protect your permed hair from even more heat damage.
5
Avoid styling your hair with heat. If you've changed your mind about a curly or wavy perm, you might be tempted to straighten it with a flat iron or curling iron, but don't! Your hair has already been through a big treatment and more heat will damage it further. Wait until your hair is healthy, soft, and elastic before you style with heat.
- If you have to use a blow dryer or heat source to do your hair, put it on the coolest temperature setting.
6
Skip coloring treatments until your hair is healthy and nourished. If you're not happy with your hair or you just want a change, you may want to color it. Unfortunately, chemical color dyes are harsh and if your hair is still damaged from the perm, it can make frizziness, thinning, and breakages even worse.^{[12]
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- Not sure if your hair is healthy enough to dye? Ask your hairstylist for their opinion or play it safe and wait until your hair feels as soft and strong as it used to.
7
Protect your hair from sunlight. UV rays from sunlight can really harm your hair, so avoid sunlight or wear a hat or scarf outside. For an extra layer of protection, spritz your hair with a hair protecting spray that includes sodium laneth, hydrolyzed protein, and silicone before you go out.^{[13]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

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- Follow up with extra conditioning if you're outside for a while. Between the heat and the sun, your hair will probably be even dryer than usual.
8
Trim your hair to get rid of split ends and keep it looking healthy. Is your perm wispy and unruly at the ends? Unfortunately, a bad perm can damage your hair so you have ends that stick out straight below the curls or waves. Look closely at your ends and snip away any that are split or stick out noticeably.^{[14]
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Expert Source

Jenny Tran
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 19 May 2020.} You don't have to trim a lot—about ¹⁄₂ inch (1.3 cm) will remove the split ends and encourage your hair to grow.^{[15]
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- Although you can do this yourself, it might be easier to ask a friend to help you trim the back of your hair.

Expert Q&A

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What can I do for damaged perm hair?

Jenny Tran
Professional Hair Stylist
Jenny Tran is a Hair Stylist and the Founder of JT Hair Lab by Jenny Tran based in the Dallas, Texas metro area. With over seven years of professional hair styling experience, Jenny specializes in hair coloring, haircutting, and hair extensions. JT Hair Lab is an authorized carrier of R+Co and of Milbon and is committed to using products with quality ingredients.

Jenny Tran

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Put in leave-in conditioner so your hair stays hydrated and moisturized.

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If you're trying to get rid of a bad perm, wash your hair within 48 hours of getting the perm. This can loosen the strands so the perm doesn't have a chance to set completely.

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Treat your damaged hair with care and avoid styles that pull your hair back, creating tension. Skip ponytails and use hair scarves or hairpins instead!

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If you've tried everything to restore your hair but it's still damaged, talk with a hairstylist that you trust. They may be able to recommend personalized products to help your hair heal.

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