Should I Wash My Hair Before a Perm? Pre-Perm Hair Care Prep

There are times when it would be better for you not to wash your hair before you hit the hair salon. A good example would be when you are about to bleach your hair. 

However, this tip does not apply to all procedures, including when you are about to get a perm. So do you wash your hair before a perm? The short answer is yes, you should wash your hair before a perm. 

Washing your hair before getting a perm will make sure that you get great results with the treatment procedure. Let’s explain how that works below.

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Why Do You Wash Your Hair Before A Perm?

There are people who decide not to wash their hair before a perm. That is because they believe that the dirt and oil that is accumulated on their hair can protect the scalp (as well as the hair) from the chemicals used for the perm. 

This is what most people believe too when they use bleach. That is why people don’t usually wash their hair prior to bleaching or coloring. 

When you skip washing your hair, the natural oils that your scalp produces cover it up and act as protection. However, if you don’t remove them before a perm, those could also prevent the perming solution from penetrating your hair. 

If you’re getting your perm at a salon, it’s always best to ask your stylist whether they prefer you wash your hair or not. Most likely, they will want you to wash your hair.

If you’re getting your perm at a salon, it’s always best to ask your stylist whether they prefer you wash your hair or not. Most likely, they will want you to wash your hair.

Perming Solution 101

Perming chemicals aren’t as strong as bleaching chemicals. They may not be able to penetrate the hair and change its molecular structure if you don’t wash your hair before the procedure. 

The process of perming will involve the use of a perming solution. The chemicals in it will temporarily affect the bonds in the hair by breaking them. With it, your hair can be restructured before the bonds are formed. 

The hair is restructured to form curls through the use of hot curlers or rods where the hair is wrapped around during the process of perming. With proper penetration of the chemicals, the bonds will be efficiently disrupted so they can be restructured again. 

However, if excess oil, dirt, and residue are present because the hair is unwashed, then the perming chemicals won’t work efficiently. Your hair might not form curls at the end of the procedure.

However, if excess oil, dirt, and residue are present because the hair is unwashed, then the perming chemicals won’t work efficiently. 

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How To Wash Your Hair Before A Perm

If you are about to get a perm, either at home or done at a salon, it is very important to remember that washing your hair is a very important step in preparation for perming. 

If you don’t wash your hair, what do you think would happen? Have you ever thought about what residues are found on your hair if you don’t wash it for a bit?

There are a few things that could build up on your hair and on your scalp if you don’t wash it. That’s because of the environment that it is exposed to. The dust and dirt could all stick to your hair. 

Due to the presence of hair oil produced by your scalp, dirt and dust easily stick to your hair. 

Apart from those, there are other residues that your hair could contain. Such residues could include the remnants of the products that we use for our hair. Those residues can build up on the external layers of the hair. 

Using regular shampoo on them may not be enough to remove the residue. That’s why it is important to use pH-balancing shampoos  . These are great because they can help remove the residue on the hair.

With the residue removed from the hair, the hair strands are more ready to be affected by the perming solution. Remember that after using the shampoo, you should also rinse it very well.

After you shampoo and rinse the hair, it would still feel wet. So should you bring out the hair dryer and use it?

The answer here is no. You shouldn’t blow-dry the hair but you should still try to remove excess moisture by towel-drying your hair. 

After that, you could now section the hair and then begin with the perming process. 

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Other Things To Remember Before Getting A Perm

Perming is a procedure that uses a chemical solution to create a reaction with the hair bonds. It temporarily breaks the bonds. That being said, you should make sure that your hair is healthy before you have a perm. 

One of the things that you should avoid is dying your hair. Your hair shouldn’t be dyed for at least two months before perming it. That’s because dyeing the hair also involves a chemical called hydrogen peroxide that could weaken the hair. 

Your hair shouldn’t be dyed for at least two months before perming it. That’s because dyeing the hair also involves a chemical called hydrogen peroxide that could weaken the hair. 

Another thing that you should consider doing before having your hair permed is to do a deep conditioning treatment a couple of days before your scheduled appointment.

You don’t have to have the deep conditioning done at the salon. It doesn’t need to be an expensive deep conditioning procedure. There are lots of deep conditioners   available in the market that you can use at home. 

Those that have olive oil in their ingredients are great. You can let them sit on your hair for at least 30 minutes and some can even be left overnight for best results. 

Coconut oil is also a good ingredient to watch out for. It is a nourishing product for the hair and makes it soft and shiny. 

Although most would agree that you should wash your hair before having a perm, there are different views on washing the hair after a perm. Some people would suggest postponing shampooing of the hair so that you don’t wash off the chemicals. 

However, there are others who argue that it is okay to wash your hair with shampoo just as you would the next day. The perm is already done and the chemicals have already done their job. 

Regardless, just to be sure, it is best to follow the instructions of the salon or the perming solution that you’ve used.