Treatments
Digital Perm Aftercare: How to Keep Your Waves Looking Fresh
You have just left with beautiful soft bouncy waves that you really like, but the true challenge begins at trying to maintain these waves for weeks to…
Seo Daiki Media8 September 20266 min read
You have just left with beautiful soft bouncy waves that you really like, but the true challenge begins at trying to maintain these waves for weeks to come. Digital perms are slightly different from regular perms, and after care is important to maintaining the result. If done right, your waves will last and stay beautiful for months to come. If not, the waves may fall out earlier than expected.
What Makes a Digital Perm Different
The digital perm technique incorporates the use of heated rods in addition to the perming solution and is able to achieve better control of the wave pattern compared to the conventional cold perm method. This results in achieving softer waves that last for a long time. However, since heat is applied during the perming process, hair care becomes a little more important afterwards.
The First 48 Hours: Don't Wash Yet
This is the part people most often get wrong, and it genuinely makes a difference. Freshly permed hair needs time to fully "set" into its new wave pattern.
In the first two days after your perm:
- Do not wash your hair in entirety, despite how it may feel somewhat stiff from the application
- Do not tie your hair in any type of ponytail or clip it in place
- It is preferable to try and sleep in a way which does not flatten out one side of your hair in particular
- Do not tuck your hair behind your ears too often, as it tends to cause kinks in the waves
Washing too early is one of the most common reasons a fresh perm doesn't hold as well as it should.
Washing Your Waves the Right Way
Once you're past that initial waiting period, how you wash matters just as much as when.
| Do | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Use a sulphate-free shampoo | Regular shampoos with harsh sulphates, which can strip moisture and loosen the wave |
| Apply conditioner mid-length to ends | Piling conditioner near the roots, which can weigh down volume |
| Gently scrunch hair while rinsing | Rubbing or scrubbing vigorously, which can cause frizz |
| Rinse with cooler water when possible | Very hot water, which can loosen the perm pattern over time |
Drying and Styling Your Perm
How you dry your hair after washing genuinely shapes how your waves look day to day.
Best practice for drying:
- Gently press out any excess water with a microfibre towel or t-shirt, rather than rubbing the hair with a towel
- Use a product that will enhance curls when the hair is still damp
- Scrunched up towards the ceiling with your hands will help set the waves rather than brush the hair out
- Should air drying not be an option, use a diffuser attachment on low heat rather than the standard hair dryer nozzle
A few habits worth avoiding:
- Brushing dry, permed hair with a regular brush, which can break up the wave pattern and cause frizz
- Using heat styling tools frequently, since this can gradually loosen the perm over time
- Skipping heat protectant on the rare occasions you do use heat tools
How Long Does a Digital Perm Actually Last?
Generally speaking, most digital perms will last for 6 months to 1 year, although this does depend on your hair texture, hair care routine and growth rate. It should be noted that fine hair will not always hold a perm the same way as thick hair and hair that has been chemically altered through previous hair coloring will influence the duration of the wave too.
With new hair growing in, it is normal for regrowth at the roots to show straighter while the ends still remain wavy, this is just part of the natural process and will mean that it is eventually time to do another perm again.
Products Worth Having on Hand
You don't need an overwhelming skincare-style routine for permed hair, but a few key products genuinely help:
- Sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner - gentler on the wave pattern and overall hair health
- A leave-in conditioner or curl cream - helps define waves and reduce frizz throughout the day
- A lightweight hair oil - for the ends, to add shine without weighing waves down
- A silk or satin pillowcase - reduces friction while you sleep, which helps waves hold their shape longer
Refreshing Your Waves Between Washes
On days you're not washing your hair, a light mist of water mixed with a bit of leave-in conditioner, scrunched through the lengths, can refresh flattened waves without a full rewash. This is a genuinely useful trick for extending the time between wash days while keeping your waves looking defined rather than limp.
When to Book a Follow-Up Treatment
When you notice that the hair waves look dry, frizzy or undefined after several months, you might want to consider using a treatment to add moisture and shine, while not having to do an entire new perm again. This is also a good opportunity to reconsider the way you care for the hair at home, because often slight changes can work wonders.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How quickly can I wash my hair after getting a digital perm?
It is recommended to wait at least 48 hours. Premature washing may lead to incorrect wave formation and, consequently, to the poor effect of the perm.
2. What is the duration of a digital perm?
On average, most digital perms will last 6 months to a year, but it also depends on hair type, care and growth.
3. Can I use any shampoo for permed hair?
It is advisable to choose shampoo without sulphates, since they may remove moisture and make waves loose prematurely.
4. Is it possible to brush waves on dry hair?
Dry brushing may destroy the wave pattern and create frizz. It is recommended to finger-comb wet hair or use a wide-toothed comb.
5. Can I still use a hair dryer with a digital perm?
Yes, but use a diffuser attachment on low heat rather than a regular nozzle, and avoid excessive daily heat styling, which can gradually loosen the perm.
6. Why do my roots look straight while my ends still have waves?
This is completely normal and simply reflects natural hair growth. New hair growing in at the roots hasn't been permed, so it grows out straight until your next perm.
7. What's the biggest mistake people make with digital perm aftercare?
Washing too early, usually within the first 48 hours, is the most common mistake and can prevent the wave pattern from setting properly.
8. Can I colour my hair after getting a digital perm?
It's best to wait a few weeks and check with your stylist first, since combining chemical processes too close together can affect both the colour result and the wave pattern.
Keep Your Waves Looking Their Best
A digital perm is an investment, and the right aftercare helps you get the most out of it. Explore our Digital Perm service, or message us on WhatsApp if your waves need a refresh at Premium Old Skool, Avenue Ampang.
