Perming your hair can be a great way to achieve the curls or waves you’ve always wanted, but it can also take a toll on your hair’s health. The perming process involves breaking down the hair’s structure and re-shaping it, which can lead to dryness, brittleness, and breakage. However, with the right care and attention, you can restore your permed hair to its former glory. In this article, we’ll explore the best ways to make your permed hair healthy, from understanding the perming process to using the right products and treatments.
Understanding the Perming Process
Before we dive into the tips and tricks for restoring health to your permed hair, it’s essential to understand the perming process itself. Perming involves wrapping your hair around rods and applying a chemical solution to break down the hair’s structure. The solution, usually containing ammonium thioglycolate, penetrates the hair shaft and breaks down the disulfide bonds that give hair its shape. The hair is then re-shaped and re-oxidized to create the desired curl or wave pattern.
The Effects of Perming on Hair
While perming can be a great way to achieve the hair style you want, it can also have some negative effects on your hair’s health. Some of the most common effects of perming on hair include:
- Dryness and brittleness: The perming process can strip your hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness and brittleness.
- Breakage: The breaking down of the hair’s structure can lead to breakage, especially if your hair is already damaged or weak.
- Frizz and unmanageability: Permed hair can be prone to frizz and unmanageability, especially in humid environments.
Caring for Your Permed Hair
Now that we’ve explored the perming process and its effects on hair, let’s dive into the best ways to care for your permed hair.
Using the Right Products
Using the right products is essential for maintaining healthy permed hair. Look for products that are specifically formulated for permed hair, and contain ingredients such as:
- Moisturizing ingredients: Ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and argan oil can help to moisturize and nourish your permed hair.
- Protein: Protein can help to repair and strengthen your permed hair, reducing breakage and frizz.
- Sulfate-free: Sulfates can strip your hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness and brittleness. Look for sulfate-free products to help maintain your hair’s natural moisture balance.
Some great products for permed hair include:
- Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo and Conditioner: This sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner duo is formulated with antioxidants and a blend of oils to nourish and moisturize permed hair.
- Redken Extreme Strength Builder: This leave-in treatment is formulated with protein and ceramides to help repair and strengthen permed hair.
- Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil: This argan oil and coconut oil-based hair oil helps to nourish and moisturize permed hair, while also reducing frizz and flyaways.
Reducing Heat Styling
Heat styling can be damaging to permed hair, as it can further dry out and damage the hair shaft. Try to reduce your use of heat styling tools, and when you do use them, make sure to use a heat protectant spray to help shield your hair from damage.
Getting Regular Trims
Getting regular trims is essential for maintaining healthy permed hair. Trims can help to remove split ends and breakage, preventing further damage and breakage.
Treatments for Permed Hair
In addition to using the right products and reducing heat styling, there are several treatments you can use to help restore health to your permed hair.
Deep Conditioning Treatments
Deep conditioning treatments can help to nourish and moisturize your permed hair, reducing dryness and brittleness. Look for a deep conditioning treatment that contains ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and argan oil.
Protein Treatments
Protein treatments can help to repair and strengthen your permed hair, reducing breakage and frizz. Look for a protein treatment that contains ingredients like keratin, collagen, and silk amino acids.
Masking
Masking can help to nourish and moisturize your permed hair, reducing dryness and brittleness. Look for a mask that contains ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and argan oil.
DIY Treatments for Permed Hair
In addition to using commercial treatments, there are several DIY treatments you can use to help restore health to your permed hair.
Coconut Oil Treatment
Coconut oil is a great ingredient for nourishing and moisturizing permed hair. Simply apply coconut oil to your hair, from roots to ends, and leave it on for at least an hour before shampooing.
Avocado and Banana Mask
Mashing up an avocado and banana and applying it to your hair can help to nourish and moisturize your permed hair. Simply apply the mask to your hair, from roots to ends, and leave it on for at least 30 minutes before rinsing.
Olive Oil and Honey Treatment
Mixing olive oil and honey can help to nourish and moisturize your permed hair. Simply apply the mixture to your hair, from roots to ends, and leave it on for at least an hour before shampooing.
Conclusion
Perming your hair can be a great way to achieve the curls or waves you’ve always wanted, but it can also take a toll on your hair’s health. By using the right products, reducing heat styling, getting regular trims, and using treatments, you can help to restore health to your permed hair. Remember to be patient, as restoring health to permed hair takes time and effort. With the right care and attention, you can achieve healthy, beautiful permed hair that looks and feels great.
| Product | Key Ingredients | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo and Conditioner | Antioxidants, blend of oils | Nourishes and moisturizes permed hair |
| Redken Extreme Strength Builder | Protein, ceramides | Repairs and strengthens permed hair |
| Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil | Argan oil, coconut oil | Nourishes and moisturizes permed hair, reduces frizz and flyaways |
By following these tips and using the right products, you can help to restore health to your permed hair and achieve the beautiful, bouncy curls or waves you’ve always wanted.
Q: What causes damage to permed hair, and how can I prevent it?
Permed hair can be damaged due to the chemical processing involved in the perming procedure. The chemicals used to break down the hair’s structure and re-form it into curls or waves can strip the hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness, brittleness, and breakage. Additionally, excessive heat styling, using harsh hair products, and lack of proper care can further exacerbate the damage.
To prevent damage to permed hair, it’s essential to use gentle, sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners specifically formulated for permed hair. Avoid using heat styling tools or reduce their use to a minimum, and always use a heat protectant spray. Regular trims can also help prevent split ends and breakage. Furthermore, using a hydrating mask once or twice a week can help lock in moisture and nourishment.
Q: What are the best hair care products for restoring health to permed hair?
When it comes to restoring health to permed hair, using the right products is crucial. Look for products that are specifically formulated for permed or chemically processed hair. These products usually contain ingredients such as keratin, argan oil, and shea butter that help repair and nourish the hair. Sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners are also essential, as sulfates can strip the hair of its natural oils.
Some other ingredients to look for in hair care products for permed hair include antioxidants, vitamins, and plant extracts. Antioxidants help protect the hair from environmental damage, while vitamins and plant extracts provide nourishment and hydration. Avoid products that contain harsh chemicals, artificial fragrances, or dyes, as these can further damage the hair.
Q: How often should I wash my permed hair, and what’s the best washing technique?
The frequency of washing permed hair depends on individual hair types and lifestyles. As a general rule, permed hair should be washed no more than 2-3 times a week, as over-washing can strip the hair of its natural oils. If you have oily hair, you may need to wash it more frequently, while dry or damaged hair may require less frequent washing.
When washing permed hair, use a gentle, massaging motion to work the shampoo into the scalp. Avoid using hot water, which can strip the hair of its natural oils. Instead, use warm or cool water, and rinse the hair thoroughly to remove all soap residue. When conditioning, focus on the ends of the hair, working the conditioner up towards the roots. Leave the conditioner on for 1-2 minutes before rinsing.
Q: Can I use hair masks and deep conditioning treatments on permed hair?
Hair masks and deep conditioning treatments can be incredibly beneficial for permed hair. These treatments provide an intense dose of moisture, nourishment, and hydration that can help repair and restore the hair. Look for hair masks and deep conditioning treatments that contain ingredients such as keratin, argan oil, and shea butter.
When using hair masks and deep conditioning treatments on permed hair, be sure to follow the instructions carefully. Apply the treatment to the hair, focusing on the ends, and leave it on for the recommended amount of time. Some treatments may require heat, while others may need to be left on overnight. Be gentle when rinsing the treatment out, and avoid using hot water.
Q: How can I protect my permed hair from heat styling damage?
Heat styling can be particularly damaging to permed hair, as it can cause the hair to become dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. To protect permed hair from heat styling damage, use a heat protectant spray or serum before styling. These products create a barrier between the hair and the heat styling tool, helping to prevent damage.
When heat styling permed hair, use a lower heat setting and avoid holding the styling tool in one place for too long. Instead, move the tool slowly and gently along the length of the hair. Use a cool shot on your blow dryer to set the style and seal the cuticle, and avoid using heat styling tools too frequently.
Q: Can I color my permed hair, and what are the best color options?
Yes, you can color your permed hair, but it’s essential to take extra precautions to prevent further damage. Permed hair is already chemically processed, so it’s crucial to choose a color option that won’t cause additional stress to the hair. Consider using a semi-permanent or demi-permanent hair color, which is less damaging than permanent hair color.
When choosing a hair color for permed hair, consider the condition and porosity of the hair. If the hair is damaged or over-processed, it may be best to avoid using permanent hair color or bleach. Instead, opt for a gentler color option that will enhance the natural color of the hair without causing further damage. Consult with a professional hairstylist for personalized advice on coloring permed hair.
Q: How long does it take to restore health to permed hair, and what are the signs of restored health?
The time it takes to restore health to permed hair depends on the extent of the damage and the effectiveness of the hair care routine. With consistent use of gentle hair care products, regular trims, and protective styling, permed hair can start to show signs of restored health within a few weeks to a few months.
Signs of restored health in permed hair include improved texture, reduced frizz, and increased shine. The hair may also become more manageable and easier to style, with reduced breakage and split ends. As the hair becomes healthier, it may also become more resilient to heat styling and environmental damage. With continued care and attention, permed hair can become strong, healthy, and beautiful once again.