How Long Should I Wait to Dye My Hair After a Perm?

It's best to wait one to two weeks to dye hair after you get a perm.

Color the Same Day as Perming

Although both perms and coloring damage hair to some degree, if you keep your locks healthy and well-moisturized there's no reason you can't dye hair soon after getting a perm. According to Clairol, non-permanent color can be applied the same day if the scalp isn't irritated from the chemical process of perming. Be careful, though; color will process faster after hair has been permed.

Give Hair Some Time to Normalize

When you want to dye with permanent hair color, wait at least a week after getting a perm to do it, Good Housekeeping advises. Some hair color products suggest waiting at least two to three weeks after perming or relaxing your hair before coloring it. Clairol recommends shampooing at least once after the perm and before dyeing. Focus on restoring the moisture balance of hair through conditioner before coloring it.

Bottom Line

Most hair care experts agree it is best to wait at least one to two weeks to color your hair after you get a perm. This gives hair a break from the chemicals and time to recuperate, which prevents further damage. Read the instructions for the hair color brand before dyeing.

References

• Clairol: Getting Ready to Color
• Good Housekeeping: Tips for Getting Salon-Perfect Hair Color At Home

Resources

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Hair Dye and Hair Relaxers