If you want to color your hair after a perm, you will have to wait for some time. At a bare minimum, you need to wait a whole week and shampoo at least once.
However, professionals can recommend waiting at least 14 days before applying color. If your hair is fine and has reacted poorly in the past to dye or mixed perm, don’t hurry.
You can go even longer between coloring and perming. This way, your hair has time to recover from the chemical process. That said, let’s learn more about hair.
Also Read: Demi Vs Semi-Permanent Hair Color
Should You Dye Your Hair Before or After a Perm?
Experts suggest perming first to ensure that this process won’t disrupt your new color. If you’re utilizing a permanent hair color, wait for 7-10 days and shampoo at least once.
A permanent color lasts until you recolor or your hair grows out. Semi-permanent color is safe because it’s deposit-only. Meaning, it has no peroxide or ammonia. Thus, it’s non-damaging.
You can safely color permed hair if you use a semi-permanent color. It usually lasts from 4-8 shampoos but hair that has been chemically treated will tend to hold dye longer.
Also Read: Best Perm For Fine Hair: 4 Types That Actually Work
How Long Do You Have to Wait to Perm Your Hair After You Dye it?
Professionals suggest perming your hair first and then proceed with your coloring process. If your hair is healthy, you can dye and perm the same day.
If you have damaged hair, don’t get a perm in 2-3 weeks after coloring your hair. Otherwise, your new color can interfere with the perm and damage your hair beyond repair.
Avoid handling very damaged, fragile, or falling hair with chemical treatments. Also, don’t perm or color your hair when your scalp is irritated or itchy.
What Should You NOT Do After a Perm?
A perm is a chemical treatment that can give you permanent wavy or curly hair for some time. It can last up to 6 months, depending on how fast your hair grows.
It also depends on how you treat your hair. Permed hair needs other treatments than non-permed hair. If you want to keep a perm for longer, apply the next tips.
- Don’t wash your hair for 2 days.
- Don’t brush your hair for the first 24 hours.
- Don’t color your hair for 14 days before and after you get a perm.
- Don’t put your hair in a ponytail before washing.
- Moisturize your hair regularly.
Related Questions
Can you get a perm if your hair is dyed?
Perming colored hair is better than perming over damaged, highlighted hair. However, perming can cause extra damage to chemically treated hair either way.
Can you semi-dye your hair after a perm?
Most semi-permanent colors last through 8-12 shampoos, while demi-permanent color lasts through 28 shampoos. If your hair is healthy, you can use both on the same day as your perm.
Can you dye your hair after a straight perm?
Your hair goes through a lot with a relaxer or a perm. The internal protein structure is broken down to make it more reactive. Experts suggest waiting 14 days between perm and coloring.
What happens if you dye your hair after a perm?
If your have has been chemically treated and then you color it using dye, peroxide, and ammonium, you will add to the damage that’s been done already and get split ends, breakage, or frizz.
Also Read: How to Remove Permanent Hair Dye from Grey Hair?
Can you dye your hair blonde after a perm?
Dyeing your hair right after a perm can over-lighten and cause extra damage to your already damaged hair. Therefore, it’s best to wait at least 14 days between the two chemical treatments.
Can you dye your hair a week after a perm?
Normally, you need to wait a week and shampoo at least once. You can color your hair a week after a perm but experts suggest waiting at least 14 days before applying dye.
Can you dye your hair and perm it the same day?
It depends on your hair and the type of dye. Generally, it’s fine to do both unless your hair is weak or damaged. In that case, you can’t color and perm on the same day.
The best solution is doing a perm and giving your hair time to heal. Wait at least 14 days before coloring your hair with dye. Consult your hairstylist for professional advice.
Can you dye your hair after a curly perm?
You can color your hair after perming it. Most hairdressers will suggest you color your hair first before you perm. The best process is hair dye and then perming.
Chemicals applied to change the hair cuticle form (from curly or wavy to straight or vice versa) will leech out the color. You shouldn’t do both treatments within a short time of each other.
Otherwise, you will damage your hair beyond repair. Each chemical treatment, whether it’s a permanent dye or a perm, will make your hair weak, lifeless, super dry, and prone to breakage.
And when you do different treatments within several days, your hair can become even worse. You have to understand the risks of layering chemicals on top of each other.
Take your time, do your research, and consult a hairdresser if you decide to proceed. Your hairdresser is more experienced than you and can minimize the damage.
How can I get rid of my perm?
If you want to get rid of your perm, utilize a color-protecting shampoo and conditioner to hydrate and cleanse your hair.
Apply a hot oil treatment or deep conditioning, protect with a shower cap, and leave on for a few hours. Or you can leave it on overnight and rinse it out in the morning.
Final Words
No matter if you color your hair at home or in the hair salon, you risk ruining your hair. Permanent hair coloring chemicals and permitted salts together make a harsh habitat for your hair.
Some people can just experience dull and frizzy, dried-out hair. However, others can experience serious problems like scalp irritation, excessive hair loss, split ends, breakage, and lifeless hair.
The worst part? You won’t end up with the shade you want. Perming and coloring your hair on the same day will make your hair color lighter. It’s best to wait for 14 days before you dye your hair.
Hopefully, this article can help you learn more about perming and dyeing and how long you have to wait between the two treatments. Share your thoughts and questions in the comments.