Everything You Need to Know About Styling Short Permed Hair

Co-authored by Courtney Foster

Last Updated: April 23, 2024

A perm is a process in which you chemically set your hair into curls for 2 to 6 months. You need to wait 24 to 48 hours before you do anything to your hair. After that, you can style your hair as you would style regular short, curly hair. You can create all sorts of new looks depending on what products and tools you use.

Things You Should Know

Hair stylist Courtney Foster says to avoid brushing and shampooing your hair "for the first 24 hours after getting the perm." When you wash your hair before styling it, "avoid shampoos and conditioners with sulfates in them" and be sure to detangle gently with a wide-toothed comb.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Washing and Drying Your Hair

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1
Avoid washing your hair for 48 hours after perming it. Perms can last a long time, but your curls need time to settle. Steer clear of any water, including showering or washing your hair, for a minimum of 24 hours after getting a perm. If you wash your hair too soon, you risk the curls coming out and your hair returning to its natural state.
- Double-check with your stylist. Sometimes, you don't have to wait a full 48 hours.^{[1]
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2
Alternate cleansing and curl-enhancing shampoos and conditioners. Use cleaning shampoos and conditioners whenever your scalp feels dry, or after you use styling gels and creams. Use curl-enhancing shampoos and conditioners whenever your curls start to feel dry or limp.
- Look for conditioners contain extra proteins and minerals.
- The shampoo and conditioner need to be free of alcohol, parabens, silicones, and synthetic fragrances. Steer clear of any products with sulfates, too.
- You can use shampoos and conditioners made for chemically-treated hair. Keep in mind that this is different from "dyed" or "color-treated" hair.
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Avoid hot water, as this can damage it and create frizz. If you want to give your hair a little extra shine, then rinse it with cool water after you're done washing it. Cool water will seal your hair cuticles and lock in the conditioner.
4
Pat your hair dry with a towel and skip the blow dryer, when possible. Use a t-shirt or a soft, microfiber towel and a gentle patting motion to blot your hair dry. Do not rub your hair as this can lead to frizz. Allow your hair to air-dry whenever possible.^{[2]
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- There are some instances where using a blow dryer is a good idea. For example: you are running late to work or school and it is below freezing outside.
- If you must blow dry your hair, dry it until it is 85 to 90% dry, and let it finish air drying on its own.
5
Scrunch your hair with your fingers as it air-dries. Every so often, cup your hand under the ends of your hair. Loosely curl your fingers over your hair while lifting your hand upwards. Do this a few times as your hair dries; it will help your curls maintain their shape better.
- Alternatively, you can braid your hair while it is wet, then un-braid it once it dries completely. Use your fingers to gently loosen the curls.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using the Right Tools and Products

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Again, your perm needs some time to set. If you try to brush your hair too soon, then you risk the curls coming out. You can gently shape the curls with your fingers, however, if they become too unruly.
2
Brush your hair with your fingers or a wide-toothed comb. Begin combing your hair from the ends first. Once the ends are tangle-free, work your way up the hair shaft. Never drag your fingers or a comb through your hair without detangling it first. Skip the hairbrush, as this can lead to frizz.^{[3]
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- Work in small sections to untangle your hair. The more tangled it is, the smaller the sections should be.
3
Use a diffuser to help your curls keep their shape. While not absolutely necessary, a diffuser attachment will help your curls maintain their shape as you blow dry them. Apply a good heat protectant first, then pop the diffuser attachment onto your blow dryer. Point the blow dryer upwards and lean over it so that your curls nestle inside the attachment. Turn the blow dryer on and wait until your curls are dry.
- Use a lower setting, when possible. Jiggle the dryer from time to time to help diffuse the air further.
- If your hair dryer didn't come with a diffuser, look for a universal diffuser attachment at your local beauty supply store.
4
Limit the heat-styling and use a heat protectant when you do. Always apply a heat protectant before you blow dry, straighten or curl your hair. Use a lower temperature possible, and limit how often you heat style your hair; this includes blow-drying it. Instead, allow your hair to air dry naturally.^{[4]
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- Some people like to use curling irons on their permed hair to reshape their curls.
- Don't use a flat iron or curling iron for 24 to 48 hours after you perm your hair. Make sure that you wash and dry your hair first.
5
Spoil your hair with masks, oils, and leave-in treatments. Perming can cause your hair to appear dry and dull. Consider using a leave-in conditioner the next time you wash your hair. If your hair appears dry, try a deep-conditioning mask instead. You can also try a hair spa or oil treatment too.
- How you use these products depends on the actual product and brand. Read the label.
Choose a deep conditioner meant for curly or chemically-treated hair. Apply it to damp hair after you have rinsed the shampoo out. Wait 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse it out with warm water. You don't need to use regular conditioner after this.
7
Use different curl enhancing products to shape your curls. Because your hair has so much volume, apply the product in small sections to ensure that it gets evenly distributed. How you apply the products depends on the type of product and brand, so read the label. Most products should be applied to wet or damp hair, however.^{[5]
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- Reduce frizz and eliminate fly-aways with anti-frizz serums.
- Manage volume with scrunching sprays or hair oil.
- Use high-holding gels on wet or damp hair if you want tighter curls.
- Apply a lightweight mousse or lotion if you want looser curls.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Trying New Hairstyles

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Once 48 hours have passed, you can style your hair like you would style short, curly hair. Remember to keep the styles look, however, and to keep the heat styling minimal.
2
Try a braided crown if you want to try an updo. This works for just about any length of hair. Start by creating a deep side part. Gather a small section of hair from the thicker side of the part, right at your hairline. Dutch or French braid around your hairline. When you reach the part on the other side of your head, finish off with a regular braid. Pin the braid against the Dutch or French braid with bobby pins.
- Use a clear hair elastic to tie the braid off to reduce bulk.
- If you don't want to put all of your hair up, try Dutch braid headband instead.
3
Create a deep side part for a vintage look if you have bob-length hair. Use the handle of a rat-tail comb to create a deep side part. Start the part above your left or right eyebrow, and angle it towards the back-center of your crown. Pin the side that has the least hair behind your ear with 1 or 2 bobby pins. Add a cute hair clip or a hibiscus flower for a final touch.
- this style works especially well with pin curl perms.
4
Give yourself an undercut or a Mohawk for an edgy look. You can try to do this yourself, or you can ask an experienced stylist to cut your hair for you. If you want an edgy style without cutting your hair, try a Fauxhawk instead.
- Most faux-hawks require you to pin your hair up on top of your head in such a way that it looks like a curly Mohawk.
5
Wait at least 4 weeks before you dye or highlight your hair. Perming, highlighting, and dyeing are all damaging to your hair. If you don't wait long enough between these processes, you risk damaging your hair further. If you really cannot wait that long, ask the stylist who permed your hair for advice.
- Avoid ingredients such as: ammonia, gluten, parabens, phthalates, PPD, and resorcinol. Look for these instead: argan oil, ginseng root extract, and keratin.^{[6]
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- Boost your hair color with a gloss if you don't want to dye it.^{[7]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Choosing a Perm

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You can do a basic perm on hair that's been cut all to the same length, or you can cut your hair into layers first. A basic perm will give you casual curls that frame your face and bring out your natural features. They go great with casual and formal outfits.
A body wave perm consists of soft, loose curls. They look natural, and work great for a beachy, boho look. They are also a great way to add volume to hair that is fine or limp.
Some perms end up looking too consistent, which can lend an unnatural appearance. If you want something more wild and natural, try a multi-textured perm instead. The stylist will use different sized rods to give you a combination of tighter and looser curls. The final perm will look natural while defining your features.
If your daily style is inspired by the 50s and 60s, a pin curl perm is a great way to complete the look. You can also choose between tighter and looser curls. They are also a great option if you are concerned about using heat on your hair; unlike other types of perms, pin curl perms are done without heat.
Most perms focus on the entire hair shaft, but root perms only cover the first few inches of your hair. This will result in extra volume near your roots. The shorter your hair is, the more volume you will get, because there isn't as much hair near the ends weighing the perm down.
Although spiral curls work the best on longer hair, you can still do them on shorter hair. You will get a much of corkscrew curls on the top and sides of your head. For a more subtle spiral perm, you can perm it partway, while leaving the hair at the top alone.
Hair can be finicky, in that is thick in one area and limp in another. If you want to make your hair texture more consistent, consider a spot or partial perm. The stylist will only apply the perm to that area while leaving the rest of your hair as-is.
The stylist will use a combination of large, medium, and small rods to give you a layered look. The ends of your hair will be curly, but the hair near your roots will be thick. This is also a great option for those who have thick hair and want a perm without looking like a lion.

Community Q&A

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Question

How do I get my perm to stay in tendrils?

Community Answer

Applying a mousse as well as setting with hairspray works well.

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Tips

Get a touch-up perm every 3 to 6 months. Focus on the roots, where your natural hair grows out and becomes visible.

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Do not tease your hair as this can damage it or create frizz.

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Make sure that you have healthy hair before you get it permed. If you don't can't tell if your hair is healthy, ask the stylist doing the perm for advice.

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