The Modern Perm Is Your Ticket to Effortless Curls

When you have a modern perm, all you'll have to do to get gorgeous body and texture is basically roll out of bed. A perm (short for "hair permanent") can essentially replace your daily 20-minute morning meeting with a curling wand. 

"One of the best bits about perming hair is that you don't have to agonize about styling daily: The look is a major statement in itself," said stylist Sascha Breuer.

To get the most out of your perm, following the correct haircare routine is key. To find out more, we spoke to Breuer and stylist Cheryl Bergamy to get their best perm aftercare and maintenance advice. 

For those of you looking to add a little — or a lot — of curl and volume to your locks, let these seven expert-approved tips help guide you.

Keep scrolling for how to properly take care of a perm, according to celebrity stylists.

Delay Washing

After perming your hair, you'll need to wait three days before getting it wet, Breuer told us.

"I only recommend washing sooner if you want to break up the curls to achieve a softer, semi-permanent beachy waves look," he added.

Hold Off on Styling

Also, steer clear of any styling — other than simply scrunching the hair with your fingers to set the curls in place — for a week following your perm. That also includes not brushing your hair with a hairbrush. At most, you can finger-comb your curls, or if you have to, use a wide-toothed comb in the shower after applying conditioner. 

"Even the most basic hairstyles or hair accessories can potentially cause your perm to break or set in an unwanted shape," said Breuer.

Avoid Other Chemical Treatments

To minimize damage and prevent any potential disruption to your perm, do not combine it with any other chemical hair treatments for at least a month, noted Breuer. Perms use chemicals to alter the texture of your hair, so you'll want to allow time for your strands to recuperate. Not only will this aid in the health of your hair, but it will also ensure the best results.

Wash Your Hair Less

Now that you have some flouncy curls, your washing regimen is most likely going to look a little different. According to Bergamy, you should only be washing your permed hair once a week. She also noted that a sulfate-free conditioning shampoo and moisturizing conditioner are must-have products on your wash day. Bergamy said to never use a brush on your wet hair and to reach for the comb instead to maintain the curls and their shape.

Skip Heat Styling

"On the whole, it's best to avoid heat styling as much as possible," advised Breuer. 

That means you'll have to swap out regular blow drying for air drying, and if you have to use a blow dryer, be sure to attach the diffuser and coat your hair with a heat protectant first.

"Straightening tools should also be avoided because permed hair tends to frizz out more than natural hair, and heat styling causes split-ends to appear much faster in perms, all of which means that your curls break up sooner than you'd want," he said.

Don't Forget to Trim

The same principles of everyday haircare apply in this realm, but now they're even more important. To keep your hair healthy and your ends fresh, Bergamy suggested getting your hair trimmed every three to four weeks. 

"Perms require upkeep to sustain the shape and structure of the curls," she explained. "Trim the ends when needed [to] keep the hair healthy."

Invest in the Right Products

For your shampoo and conditioner, go for moisturizing curl-enhancing formulas, but be sure they're not ultra-creamy, which could weigh down your perm and disrupt the shape of your curls. 

"You want to give your curls extra nourishment and protection against the elements and artificial stressors like heat styling tools, so look for products that are protein-rich," added Breuer.

Also, avoid hair products that are made with alcohol and silicones. "Alcohol will dry out your hair fast, leaving it brittle and frizzy and ruining the perm," noted Breuer. "Silicones wear heavy, making hair greasy and weighed-down. If you can't avoid these ingredients, at the very least, you've got to look for products that carry these in a minimal concentration."

Living Proof Restore Shampoo for Stronger + Softer Hair, $34.00

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Once a month, Bergamy suggested washing with a clarifying shampoo to completely cleanse your hair and scalp, but she recommended staying away from shampoos and conditioners containing silicone, alcohol, or sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate (SLS). Her pick? Restore Shampoo by Living Proof because the color-safe and safe for chemically treated hair product restores moisture and protects against future damage.

Contents Hair Care Contents Style & Go Leave-In Conditioner, $48.00

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Bergamy also recommended using a leave-in conditioner, like the Contents Style & Go Leave-In, which "prevents unwanted frizz and protects against free radicals and UV ray damage." A product like this will lock in moisture on each curl to help you achieve moisture retention, which is especially important for textured hair, noted Bergamy.

Slip Pure Silk Turban, $85.00

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To protect your perm when you go to bed, wrap your hair in a silk scarf or bonnet. This will help to reduce physical damage (read: no frizz here) and also work to keep your style in place.