How to style permed hair in the first 48 hours? No water, and use your fingers!

girl with permed hair implores and pleads

You shouldn’t wash or wet your hair during the first 48 hours after perming. That’s the time the perm liquid takes to form the curl.
Also, you should wrap your permed hair with a silk scarf during the first 48 hours to avoid friction.
Finally, use your fingers to comb your curls during the first 48 hours after perming. I’ll tell you how to do it.

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Did you get a perm and want to know how to care for and style your hair for the first 48 hours?

Don’t worry. I’ll tell you all the secrets to take care of your perm during those 48 critical hours.

Why are the first 48 hours critical for your permed hair?

That’s when your curls shape the way you chose.

If you chose very small curlers, you need to know how to take care of your hair in the first 48 hours to have fun curls afterward.

The same will be true if you’ve chosen surf-girl waves.

Also, I won’t ask you to sleep standing up to keep your curls in place or to stay as stiff as a statue. Nothing like that. In fact, caring for the perm during the first 48 hours is easy.

I can assure you that you can pass the test with flying colors. Do you want to know how? Keep reading.

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How to take care of permed hair during the first 48 hours

finger comb permed hair
We all know that there would be no life without water on our planet. Water is key and miraculous. It quenches fire, sculpts rock, and brings forth life.

Water is also important for hair because it moisturizes and keeps it healthy.

However, when you perm your hair, you shouldn’t wash it during the first 48 hours. When I say don’t wash it, I also mean, don’t moisten it.

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Even if your hair was washed at the salon after perming it, the perm liquid continues to work on the inner layer of the hair to curl it.

If you wash or wet your hair during the first 48 hours after perming, you’ll interrupt the chemical process that will curl your hair.

You should also be careful with styling.

I recommend using your fingers to detangle and volumize your curls during the first 48 hours after perming.

You can also use a wide-tooth comb that is designed for curly hair.

Finally, you’ll have to face bedtime. I’m sure you’ll get the shivers when you imagine that your curls will fall apart while you sleep.

However, don’t worry. The perm fluid is still working on your hair to change the structure of your hair. Still, you can do something to help it.

Do you know how to do it?

When it’s time to sleep, you can wrap your hair with a silk scarf to avoid friction with the sheets. This way, you’ll prevent cuticle breakage, and your curls will be frizz-free.

Next morning, look at your curls.

How did they spend the night? I’m sure they didn’t fall apart. If you want to style them with volume, follow my technique:

Get a spray bottle with cold water.
Apply 5 or 6 times throughout your hair at 20 centimeters.
Finger-comb and shape your curls.

Even though you shouldn’t wet your hair for the first 48 hours after perming, this mist won’t penetrate your hair. Instead, it’ll only moisturize the cuticles for a firm curl.

This is the correct way to style your perm for the first 48 hours.

Also, remember not to use any heat tools or apply hair products such as serum.

If you follow these instructions for the first 48 hours, your perm will last up to six months.

Now, after 48 hours, what other care should you take with your perm? I’ll tell you below.

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How to care for and style your perm during the first seven days

shampoo for permed hair
The first 48 hours after perming are over. And your curls are still there – congratulations on the effort!
You can’t wait to wash your hair, but what products will you use?

You should include products for curly hair in your hair routine:

Shampoo and conditioner for curly hair.
Masks for curly hair.
Curl cream.
Curl fixing spray.

If you didn’t have time to buy these products, don’t worry. You can use the shampoo and conditioner you used before perming. What’s important is that you wash your hair up to three times a week.

However, don’t wash your permed hair with hot water because it could weigh down the curls. Instead, use lukewarm water.

Regarding the blow dryer, you can use it in two ways:

You can get loose, airy curls by using the blow dryer with a diffuser at medium heat.
You can get tight curls by using the blow dryer with a small round brush on high heat.

Remember to apply a heat protectant before using the dryer.

Do you color your hair regularly?

You can color your hair seven days after perming. If you color your hair before, you’ll ruin the perm.

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If you want to use a semi-permanent hair dye, you can apply it four to five days after perming because it doesn’t contain chemicals such as developer or ammonia. Therefore, it doesn’t penetrate the inner layer of the hair or modify the curly structure.

Finally, let’s talk a bit about sports and fun. You should wait 7 to 10 days to go to the pool because chlorine can quickly degrade your perm. Even if you wear a latex cap, you run the risk of ruining your curls.