Perm Aftercare Guide: How to Look After Your Perm
Everything You Need to Know About Looking After Your New Curls, Waves and Texture
Congratulations on your new perm! ✨
Whether you've chosen a traditional perm, soft wavy perm, shadow perm, loose curl or relaxed textured look, your hair may feel a little different to style at first — and that's completely normal.
Your new texture has been created specifically for your hair and the result we discussed during your consultation. The right aftercare, products and styling routine can make a big difference to how your curls and waves look and feel.
This House of Kingshott perm aftercare guide explains everything you need to know about caring for your new perm at home.
The First 48 Hours After Your Perm
Don't Wash Your Hair for 48 Hours
The most important rule after having a perm is simple:
Wait the full 48 hours before washing your hair.
Your hair has just been through a chemical service and your new curl pattern needs time to settle.
For the first 48 hours, try to avoid:
❌ Washing your hair
❌ Getting your hair unnecessarily wet
❌ Tying your hair tightly
❌ Pulling or stretching your curls
❌ Brushing your hair
❌ Excessive heat styling
After the full 48 hours, you can begin your normal washing and styling routine.
How to Wash Your Hair After a Perm
Your first wash at home is an important part of looking after your new curls.
Step 1: Shampoo Gently
Massage shampoo gently into your scalp.
There is no need to aggressively scrub the lengths of your hair. Allow the shampoo to rinse through the rest of the hair.
Step 2: Condition and Repair
Apply your recommended conditioner, mask or treatment through the mid-lengths and ends.
Because your hair has been chemically processed, keeping it moisturised and in good condition is important.
Step 3: Don't Rub Your Hair Dry
Avoid roughly rubbing your hair with a towel.
Instead, gently squeeze excess water from the hair.
Step 4: Apply Your Styling Products
Apply your recommended styling products while your hair is still damp.
Step 5: Scrunch Your Curls
Gently scrunch your curls upwards to encourage their natural shape and definition.
Step 6: Diffuse or Air Dry
Use a diffuser for more definition and volume, or allow your hair to air dry for a softer, more natural finish.
Once your hair is dry, gently separate your curls using your fingers if needed.
Try not to brush your new curls when they are dry.
The Best Products for Permed Hair
The products you use at home can make a big difference to how your perm looks, feels and behaves.
Your recommended routine may vary depending on your hair type and the type of perm you've had.
Cleanse and Repair
A good professional shampoo and treatment can help look after chemically treated hair and maintain moisture.
At House of Kingshott, I may recommend products such as:
Mood Intense Repair Shampoo and Mask
These can help support the condition of chemically treated hair and keep it feeling moisturised and healthy.
Curl Cream and Styling Products
Curl creams and styling products can help:
✓ Encourage your curl pattern
✓ Add definition
✓ Reduce frizz
✓ Make styling easier
Start with a small amount of product — you can always add more if needed.
Leave-In Products
A leave-in spray can help add moisture and make your hair easier to manage.
It can also be useful when refreshing your curls between washes.
Salt Spray
Salt spray can be great if you want a more relaxed, textured or lived-in finish.
However, because chemically treated hair can sometimes feel dry, it's important not to overuse drying products and to balance them with moisturising products.
Serum
A small amount of serum can help smooth the hair and reduce the appearance of frizz.
Start with a tiny amount — too much product can make curls feel heavy.
How Much Product Should I Use?
One of the biggest mistakes people make with curly or permed hair is using too much product.
Start Small.
You can always add more.
Using too much product can make your hair feel:
• Heavy
• Sticky
• Crunchy
• Greasy
• Difficult to refresh
Every perm is different, so your hair may need a slightly different amount of product depending on your hair length, thickness and curl pattern.
How to Style Your New Perm
The most important thing to remember is:
Use Your Fingers — Not a Brush ✋
Your fingers are the best way to gently separate and arrange your curls.
After washing:
1. Apply your styling products to damp hair.
2. Use your fingers to distribute the products.
3. Gently scrunch your hair upwards.
4. Encourage your curls into the shape you like.
5. Diffuse or allow your hair to air dry.
Once your hair is dry, gently separate your curls using your fingers if you prefer a softer finish.
Diffusing vs Air Drying
Both methods can work beautifully. It simply depends on the finish you prefer.
Diffusing Your Perm 💨
Diffusing can help create:
✓ More curl definition
✓ More volume
✓ A stronger curl pattern
Try gently lifting sections of hair into the diffuser rather than blowing the hair around.
Avoid constantly touching your curls while they are drying, as this can create frizz.
Air Drying Your Perm 🌿
Air drying can create:
✓ A softer finish
✓ A more relaxed texture
✓ Natural-looking curls and waves
Once you've applied your products and scrunched your hair, try to leave your curls alone while they dry.
How to Refresh Your Curls in the Morning
You don't need to wash your hair every day.
If your curls look a little flat or messy when you wake up, try this simple refresh routine.
Step 1
Don't brush your curls.
Step 2
Use your fingers to identify any areas that need refreshing.
Step 3
Lightly dampen those areas if needed.
Step 4
Apply a small amount of your recommended styling product.
Step 5
Scrunch your curls back into shape.
Step 6
Allow your hair to air dry or lightly diffuse.
A quick refresh is often all your curls need.
Can I Brush My Perm?
I wouldn't recommend brushing your curls when your hair is dry.
Brushing dry curls can:
❌ Pull the curl pattern apart
❌ Create frizz
❌ Make your hair look fluffy
❌ Reduce curl definition
Instead, use your fingers to gently separate your curls.
If your hair needs detangling, do this gently and avoid aggressively pulling through your hair.
How Should I Sleep With a Perm?
Your hair may look slightly different when you wake up — this is completely normal.
A silk or satin pillowcase can be a great option for curly or permed hair because it may help reduce friction while you sleep.
In the morning:
✓ Don't brush your hair
✓ Use your fingers to reshape your curls
✓ Refresh any flat areas
✓ Add a small amount of product if needed
✓ Scrunch your curls back into shape
Can I Use Heat on My Perm?
Because your hair has been chemically processed, it can be more sensitive than before.
I wouldn't recommend regularly straightening your hair or repeatedly blow-drying your new texture straight.
Your curls and waves are the reason you had your perm — so enjoy your new texture! ✨
If You Do Use Heat
✓ Keep the temperature sensible
✓ Always use heat protection
✓ Avoid excessive heat styling
✓ Keep your hair moisturised
✓ Pay attention to the condition of your hair
Swimming, Holidays and Sun With a Perm
You can absolutely still enjoy swimming and holidays with a perm!
However, chlorine, sea water and excessive sun exposure can all be drying, particularly on chemically treated hair.
If You Go Swimming
✓ Rinse your hair with fresh water afterwards
✓ Don't leave chlorine or salt water sitting in your hair for long periods
✓ Use moisturising and repairing products
✓ Give extra attention to the condition of your hair
On Holiday
Sun, swimming and frequent washing can all make chemically treated hair feel drier.
Take your moisturising products with you and give your hair a little extra care.
If you're unsure which products would be best for your hair, feel free to ask me during your appointment.
Why Does My Perm Look Different at Home?
Your hair may look slightly different at home compared to when you left the salon.
That's completely normal.
In the salon, your hair has been styled using professional techniques and products.
At home, your result can be affected by:
• How you wash your hair
• Which products you use
• How much product you apply
• How you dry your hair
• How much you touch your curls
• Your own natural hair texture
The more you get to know your new hair, the easier styling will become.
Your Simple Perm Routine
PRODUCT → SCRUNCH → DIFFUSE OR AIR DRY → FINGER SEPARATE
Don't Panic If Your Hair...
"My Curls Look Different After Sleeping"
Completely normal!
Use your fingers, refresh any flat areas and gently scrunch your curls back into shape.
"My Hair Looks Frizzy"
Frizz can happen for lots of reasons.
Your hair may need:
• More moisture
• A small amount of serum
• A different styling technique
• Less touching while drying
• A silk or satin pillowcase
Try making small changes rather than applying lots of products at once.
"My Curls Have Loosened"
Perms naturally settle over time.
This is particularly true with:
• Wavy perms
• Shadow perms
• Loose curls
• Soft textured perms
These services are designed to give a more relaxed result than a tight traditional curl.
"It Doesn't Look Exactly Like It Did in the Salon"
Don't worry!
Your hair was professionally styled before you left the salon.
Your curls and waves may look slightly different depending on how you wash, dry and style them at home.
Following your aftercare routine will help you get the best possible result.
How Long Does a Perm Last?
How long your perm lasts depends on several things, including:
• Your natural hair type
• The condition of your hair
• The type of perm you've had
• How loose or tight the curl is
• Your home aftercare
• How often you wash your hair
• The products you use
• How much heat styling you do
A Looser Perm May Relax More Quickly
This is completely normal.
A soft wave, shadow perm or relaxed textured perm is designed to create movement and texture rather than a very tight curl.
Because of this, the result may naturally soften and change over time.
Every Perm Is Different
Your perm has been designed specifically for your hair and the result discussed during your consultation.
A traditional curl will behave differently from:
• A soft wave
• A shadow perm
• A relaxed texture perm
• A loose curl
Your styling routine may therefore need small adjustments depending on your individual hair and curl pattern.
There isn't always one perfect routine for everyone — getting to know your new hair is part of the process!
What to Avoid After Having a Perm
To help keep your perm looking and feeling its best, try to avoid:
❌ Washing your hair before the full 48 hours
❌ Brushing your curls dry
❌ Roughly rubbing your hair with a towel
❌ Aggressively pulling through your hair
❌ Using excessive heat
❌ Regularly blow-drying your hair straight
❌ Frequently straightening your hair
❌ Using too much styling product
❌ Neglecting moisture and conditioning
Your Quick Perm Aftercare Cheat Sheet
🟢 Great for Your Perm
✓ Moisturising products
✓ Professional shampoo and treatments
✓ Curl creams and curl products
✓ Leave-in products
✓ Using your fingers
✓ Scrunching your curls
✓ Diffusing
✓ Air drying
✓ Silk or satin pillowcases
🟠 Use With Care
• Heat styling
• Salt spray
• Swimming
• Chlorine
• Sea water
• Excessive sun exposure
🔴 Try to Avoid
✗ Washing before 48 hours
✗ Brushing dry curls
✗ Excessive heat
✗ Regularly straightening your hair
✗ Rough towel drying
✗ Overloading your hair with product
The Most Important Things to Remember ❤️
✓ Wait 48 hours before washing your hair
✓ Keep your hair moisturised
✓ Use your fingers — not a brush
✓ Apply products to damp hair
✓ Scrunch your curls into shape
✓ Diffuse or air dry
✓ Don't overuse heat
✓ Don't panic if your curls settle
✓ Use the right products for your individual hair
✓ Enjoy your new curls, waves and texture!
Perms at House of Kingshott
At House of Kingshott, every perm is tailored to the individual.
Whether you're looking for a traditional perm, soft waves, loose curls, a shadow perm or a more relaxed textured result, your service begins with understanding your hair, the condition of your hair and the result you're hoping to achieve.
The right aftercare is an important part of getting the most from your new texture.
If you have any questions about looking after your perm, styling your curls or choosing the right products for your hair, I'm always happy to help.