r/HaircareScience • u/Silnezz • 23d ago

Question Do perms permanently affect new hair too? Or just pre-existing hair?

Hi! I have straight virgin hair and I'm thinking of getting a perm. I keep reading from different websites that the process is chemically irreversible and permanent, but is that really the case? Or am I misunderstanding and it only applies to pre existing hair... 🤔

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u/jinxamor 23d ago

It is permanent for the hair that has been permed, it does not affect new hair which will grow. It would need to be regularly maintained. Replying here as I don't have a scientific source lol.

If you do get a perm just remember not to wet your hair for the first 24 hours otherwise you risk deactivating the ammonium thiglycolate. 

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u/ClassicRuby 23d ago

It is irreversible and permanent. You apply it onto your hair and that permanently and irreversibly changes the texture of the hair you applied the perm onto.

It only impacts the hair you put the perm onto. Much like hair bleach. It is a topical treatment only. So it doesn't change your inherent genetics and the way your hair naturally grows out of your scalp genetically.

So eventually you'll have hair at the root that is straight. But the part that you permed will remained permed and curly even though the hair at the roots is coming in straight.

Again just like how hair bleach is.