Perm or Color First: A Guide to Making the Right Decision

Changing your hairstyle is a great opportunity for a transformative appearance. Do you desire some vibrant color or embrace luscious curls? Jen Hair knows it might be tough to decide to go for a perm or change your hair color. 

Should you perm or color first, or vice versa? It is a dilemma that many individuals face when seeking a fresh look.

This guide will help you navigate the perm versus color concern and highlight the factors you should consider before deciding.

What Are Hair Perm And Color?

• A hair perm

A hair perm the process of making straight hair curly or wavy for a long time. Here’s how it works:

The hairdresser puts a special liquid on your hair. This liquid changes how your hair is built inside.

They wrap your hair around small tubes or rollers. This gives your hair the curly shape you want.

After a while, they wash off the liquid and put on another one that helps keep the curls in place.

When it’s all done, your hair stays curly even after you wash it many times.

The curls from a perm usually last for months. It can change how your hair looks without need to curl it every day.

• Hair coloring

Hair coloring changes how your hair looks by using special products called dyes. You can do this to hide gray hairs or to get a new hair color. There are three main types of hair color:

Permanent color – goes deep into your hair and lasts a long time.

Semi-permanent color – sits on top of your hair and slowly fades away.

Temporary color – just coats your hair and washes out easily when you shampoo.

You can pick whichever type works best for what you want to do with your hair.

While both hair treatments result in some damage, it is crucial to prioritize proper preparation and aftercare for optimal hair health. However, when comparing the two, coloring your hair generally poses a higher risk of causing overall damage than perming.

Should I Perm Or Color First?

It’s best to get a perm before you color your hair, but you should wait at least two weeks between these treatments. This break is important because the chemicals used in perms can mess up how the color sets if you do them too close together. 

If you color your hair first and then get a perm, the perm might make the color fade fast. This could also harm your hair. 

On the other hand, if you perm your hair first and then color it too soon, your new curls or waves might not get tight enough. 

So, remember to give your hair some time to rest between these treatments. This will keep it healthy and looking good. Patience is key to achieving the desired waves and colors.

How Long After A Perm To Color Your Hair?

It is recommended to prioritize perming your hair first and then waiting for at least two weeks (fourteen days) before coloring it.

In cases where you are in a hurry, you might be able to manage a seven-day gap, but be aware that this increases the risk of hair loss and damage.

Since perm is a chemical treatment that can still cause some damage to your strands, it is essential to give your hair time to recover between perming and coloring.

After a perm, your hair becomes highly porous, so coloring it immediately can lead to uneven dye results and overprocessed, dry hair.

During this waiting period, you should treat and deeply condition your hair to support its recovery and restore it to its pre-perm health.

You haircare products should contain nourishing ingredients, argan oil, and proteins. These ingredients include biotin, hydrolyzed wheat proteins, or hydrolyzed silk proteins.

Suppose your hair has suffered damage from the perm process. It is worth considering skipping the coloring altogether. Allow your hair to fully recover following a bad perm to avoid issues like split ends, frizz, or dehydration.

The same waiting period of two weeks should also be observed before adding highlights to your hair, as the bleach used in the highlighting process can compound the damage to newly permed hair.

Is It Good To Perm And Color Hair On The Same Day?

Refrain perming and coloring your hair on the same day because combining these treatments simultaneously will leave you severely dry, damaged hair with frizz and split ends. You even experience hair loss.

After you get a perm, your hair is coated with a special chemical called a neutralizer. This chemical stays on your hair for about two days. If you try to color your hair right after a perm, the color won’t stick well because of this leftover chemical. Your hair color might look different than you wanted and fade quickly.

It’s also not recommended to use semi-permanent hair dye right after a perm. The perm makes your hair more like a sponge, soaking up color unevenly. This can make your hair color look patchy or weird.

So, it’s best to wait a while after a perm before coloring your hair. This gives your hair time to get back to normal and helps the color look better and last longer.

Likewise, it is best to avoid getting highlights on the same day as a perm. Highlights involve a chemical activator allowing bleach to penetrate the hair strands. When combining the damage caused by this activator with the chemicals used in the perm, you can overwhelm your hair. This will result in dry locks.

Perm or Color First – Care Tips For Permed Hair

Give it Time

Avoid washing your hair for 48 hours after perming. This crucial step ensures the perming process is not disrupted and the chemical neutralizer remains active.

Choose the Right Haircare

Look for post-perm haircare products. The shampoos and conditioners you choose should be specifically designed to restore moisture and hydration. 

Also, opt for specialized haircare products for curly hair. They often come with nourishing ingredients like argan oil and proteins. Avoid products containing sulfates or parabens before and after getting a perm.

Minimize Heat Styling

Permed hair is more delicate than natural hair. Therefore, you must avoid using heated styling tools on it. Otherwise, you must apply a heat-protectant spray beforehand. However, after getting a perm, it is best to take a break from curling tongs.

Sleep Silky

Switch to silk or satin pillowcases. These materials can minimize frizz on your hair. Alternatively, you can wear a silk or satin scarf. They will prevent tangling while you are sleeping.

Avoid Chlorine and Saltwater

If you enjoy swimming, wear a swimming cap. It will shield your permed hair from chlorine in pools. Also, keep your head above water when swimming in the ocean to avoid adverse effects on your perm.

Perm or Color First – Care Tips For Colored Hair

Opt for Proper Haircare

Just like with post-perm hair, it is crucial to use appropriate post-color haircare products to preserve your new hair color. Look for suitable shampoos and conditioners to protect and maintain hair color. At the very least, choose a low-sulfate shampoo, as it is less likely to cause rapid fading of your hair color.

Embrace Deep Conditioning

Whether you prefer deep conditioners or hair masks, using products that can deeply penetrate the hair shaft and provide hydration from within is important. Butter like shea butter and oils like coconut and castor oil are excellent choices. However, always select products suitable for your hair type to achieve the best results.

Minimize Heat Styling

Like newly permed hair, freshly colored hair is susceptible to damage. Therefore, it is essential to avoid exposing it to excessive heat. It could be caused from hairdryers or heated styling tools. 

Whenever possible, allow your hair to air dry. It is best to minimize the negative effects of heat. If using heat styling tools, always apply a specialized heat protectant for colored hair to prevent color fading.

In Conclusion

Should you perm or color first? Always start by perming your hair first and then wait for at least two weeks before proceeding with the coloring process.

Suppose you color your hair before perming it immediately. In that case, the perm can fade the new hair color, resulting in less vibrant results. Conversely, perming your hair before coloring it right away can cause the newly formed curls to loosen and potentially lose shape.

By following the proper sequence and allowing a sufficient gap between perming and coloring, you can achieve the desired outcome and ensure the best look.

Ultimately, if you are looking for high-quality hair wings, do not hesitate to contact Jen Hair for expert assistance and guidance.