Perms are back! Opting for one can give you the curls, volume, and texture you desire! Instead of spending 20 to 30 minutes curling your hair to get your desired results, all you have to do is scrunch a bit of product in it and away you go!

Although a perm may make your hair routine a bit easier, it is important to remember that a perm is a chemical process so it is important to consult with your Oasis stylist. Perms require a bit of care and specific types of products in order to maintain your hair’s health and the look you want if you have been in the routine of wearing naturally straight hair. Here are a few tips to help you get the best out of your new hair texture!

It is important to wait at least 3 days before shampooing your hair to allow the hair cuticle enough time to form new bonds.  At Oasis, we recommend that you wait about a week before doing any type of heat styling.  If you must, don’t go any further than simply applying curly hair product and scrunch the hair with your fingers to set your curls.

During the adjustment phase, don’t use any sort of hairbrush, instead use a wide-tooth comb in the shower with conditioner, then finger-comb your curls. Never roughly towel dry, instead blot with a microfiber or cotton t-shirt. Remember, you want to avoid disrupting the curl structure which may result in your perm breaking, frizzing, or being set in an unexpected shape.

Today’s perms are much healthier than perms of the past, but the chemical process can leave your hair more vulnerable than it was in its virgin state. For this reason, it is important to use nourishing, hydrating products that will help restore and rejuvenate your hair. Keep in mind that after a perm, your hair will be drier than it was initially so you’ll want to make sure you have a great deep conditioner on hand! We recommend deep conditioning at least twice a week for the first few weeks while your hair is adjusting and then once a week from there with Aluram deep conditioning masque. 

Washing your hair often actually strips your hair of its natural oils. After a perm, you will want to retain a lot of those natural oils as they will keep your hair healthy hydrated, and springy. For this reason, you will want to wash your hair less often to keep it moist, and healthy. When it does come time for wash day, make sure you are using a moisturizing sulfate-free shampoo and make sure you are always replenishing your hair with a conditioner!

Because you are chemically treating your hair, you are going to need to make changes to the products you use. You will want to get a good shampoo and conditioner like Alurum Moisturizing. Opt for moisturizing products, but be sure they are not super-creamy as this can weigh down your hair, causing your curls to change shape. In addition to a good moisture shampoo, you will want to also clear your hair of excess product with a clarifying shampoo twice a month to do a complete hair and scalp cleanse.

Do not to towel-dry your hair as it can be too abrasive on your hair shaft which will start to weaken your hair overall. Instead, after combing and detangling your hair with a wide-tooth comb, apply a leave-in, like Aluram and styling products, and let it air dry if possible. For optimal results, wrap your hair in a t-shirt after applying curl product and go to bed wake up and VOILA, curls galore!

Regularly removing damaged ends will help keep your hair looking and feeling healthy. Even if you want your hair to grow long, we recommend getting trims every month and a half to two months depending on how fast your hair grows.

As much as possible, you want to avoid heat styling so instead of blow-drying, air dry your hair. If you must blow-dry your hair, do so on low heat and be sure to attach a diffuser – this helps disperse the heat instead of having it concentrated on one area. You also want to avoid straightening tools such as flat irons as it could cause split ends to appear faster than if your hair was not permed.

Make sure that any time you DO decide to use heat on your hair, that you coat your hair with a heat protectant.

Considering a perm? Schedule your consultation today with an Oasis Master Stylist today!

Click here to schedule an appointment online or call 727-785-7438 for a consultation. An Oasis Master Stylist will walk you through the process and provide you with the information you need to achieve the look you desire.