Bleached hair often suffers more damage than unbleached locks, making it less suitable for perming processes. Consult a professional stylist to minimize damage and achieve maximum results.
Perform a strand test before committing to a perm. A healthy strand will float freely in water; otherwise, it indicates too much dryness for perming.
Damaged hair
Bleached hair is already fragile, and perming it further damages its strands. Perming involves using chemicals to break and reform protein bonds in the hair strands, which may lead to dryness, brittleness, and breakage. It would be wiser to consult a professional hair stylist before considering a perm if your locks have already experienced some damage.
If you decide to perm your bleached hair, it is wise to perform a strand test first and wait at least two weeks before repeating the process. Utilize deep conditioning treatments and moisturizing products.
Dry hair
Perming bleached hair can effectively achieve curlier or wavy styles that would not otherwise be achievable with straight locks. However, the chemical processes can cause further damage and breakage to fragile and vulnerable locks.
For best results when perming bleached hair, conduct a strand test before perming, wait at least two weeks between bleaching and perming, and ensure your stylist has experience perming bleached locks with high-lift tinted perm solutions. Use deep conditioners and quality hair products designed specifically for bleached and color-treated locks. Rinse with lukewarm water instead of hot.
Split Ends
Bleached hair already exhibits some damage that must be considered before adding additional chemical-based treatments such as perms. Perms can cause further damage and breakage to hair strands if not administered with care and caution.
Select a low-ammonia and non-alkaline perming solution tailored for color-treated locks to minimize damage to bleached hair when getting a perm. Consult an experienced hair stylist to assess its condition before deciding on a perming technique. Use shampoo and conditioner designed for colored locks. Deep conditioning may be required to keep the curls healthy and restore the pH balance in your locks. Neutralizers can help set permanent curls and regain balance after perming treatments.
Hair Fall
Bleached hair can often be dry and brittle, making it susceptible to damage from chemical treatments like perms. Extra care must be taken to achieve successful long-term perms with bleached locks. This involves regular deep conditioning treatments, choosing a mild perm formula for tinted and bleached locks, and avoiding heat-styling tools to prevent breakage.
If you decide to perm your bleached hair, seek professional advice and assess any damage before beginning perming. An acid perm may be ideal for creating natural-looking loose coils, as its lower pH level helps avoid injury and works excellent on damaged and bleached locks alike.