Editor’s Note: I find perms are a very unique style, and this look is coming back into popularity in recent times. If you know anything about perms, it’s that they need to be cared for in a very specific way so those amazing curls stick around for as long as possible. If you’re considering a perm, or if you already have one and want to be sure you’re taking the best care of it, review our curated list of the best shampoos for permed hair. We’ve chosen the products on our list for their ability to gently cleanse your permed hair and care for it without destroying those permanent waves and leaving you dealing with frizz.
The perfectly-defined perms from the very bold and outspoken 80s are now making a comeback and are more gorgeous than ever in 2024.
A perm, which is the shortened term for “permanent wave”, is a hair treatment process that uses chemicals to break down the hair structure and rebond it into a curl or a wave. This process changes the hair texture entirely, which means that previously straight-haired girls would have to adjust to an entirely different hair care routine in order to take care of their newly-permed hair.
- Factors to Consider When Buying Shampoos for Permed Hair
- Top 16 Best Shampoos for Permed Hair 2024
- 1. Best Overall Shampoo: Pure Nature Argan Oil Deep Hydra Nourishing Shampoo
- 2. Best Budget Shampoo: Garnier Fructis Curl Nourish Shampoo
- 3. Best Premium Shampoo: Hask Coconut Milk & Organic Honey Curl Care Shampoo
- 4. Best Shine-Boosting Shampoo: Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Curl Defining Shampoo
- 5. Best Moisturizing Shampoo: SheaMoisture Curl and Shine Coconut and Hibiscus Shampoo
- 6. Best Damage-Repairing Shampoo: Arvazallia Advanced Hair Repair Moisturizing Shampoo
- 7. Best Detangling Shampoo: Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Shampoo
- 8. Best Gentle Shampoo: L'Oreal Paris EverCurl Hydracharge Sulfate Free Shampoo, with Coconut Oil
- 9. Best Curl-Enhancing Shampoo: SexyHair Curly Curl Enhancing Shampoo
- 10. Most Nourishing Shampoo: Dove Nutritive Solutions Anti-Frizz Oil Therapy Shampoo
- 11. Best Color-Safe Shampoo: Nioxin 6 Color Safe Cleanser Shampoo
- 12. Itallian Hairtech Professional Trivitt Chemically Treated Hair Shampoo
- 13. Zotos Nutri-Ox Chemically-Treated Hair Shampoo
- 14. MATRIX Total Results Curl Please Shampoo
- 15. Curly Hair Solutions Treatment Shampoo
- 16. Pantene Pro-V Curl Perfection Shampoo
- Guide to Taking Care of Permed Hair
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
Factors to Consider When Buying Shampoos for Permed Hair
One example of a hair care product that you should consider switching when you undergo this chemical process is shampoo. But it’s not enough to pick any bottle with “perm” or “curly” written on it—there are some things you’ll want to consider to make sure that you get the hair product you deserve.
How to Choose the Best Shampoos for Permed Hair
With dozens or even hundreds of products out on the market today, how exactly do you choose the best shampoos for permed hair? Here are some things you should consider before buying a shampoo.
Natural Ingredients
Since permed hair is already made more fragile by various chemicals, you should try to avoid shampoos with plenty of difficult-sounding ingredients and stick to natural ones. In addition to this, natural ingredients like aloe vera, shea butter, plant-based oils, fruit extracts, and leaf extracts have moisturizing, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties that are good at taking care of your permed hair.
For Hair Moisturization: Humectants
If your biggest hair problem is severe dryness, you should definitely look into humectants. Humectants are ingredients that can lock in moisture and soften dry hair. Since permed hair can easily get dehydrated, humectants, like sorbitol and glycerine, are an important main ingredient in shampoos for permed hair.
For Hair Reconstruction: Keratin and Collagen
Permed hair is more prone to getting damaged, which is why a lot of people with permed hair turn to shampoos that promote hair reconstruction. These shampoos typically contain proteins and amino acids, which can repair your hair and smoothen its structure. Most common in shampoos are collagen, a high molecular weight protein, and keratin, a hydrolyzed protein.
Paraben and Sulfate-Free
Parabens and sulfates are chemicals used in shampoos to aid with preservation and additional cleansing properties. However, although these ingredients do present some benefits, their drawbacks are simply not worth it. For instance, while parabens can prevent fungi growth in shampoos, they can also dry out your hair and cause hair to fall out.
Sulfates, on the other hand, are effective at cleansing and foaming but they strip your locks of essential natural oils, leading to frizzy and dehydrated strands.
Value for Money
You should also factor your budget in when considering which shampoo to buy. Some shampoos may be more expensive than others but do not necessarily offer more value for your money. Others, meanwhile, may seem too affordable, but they already offer everything that you need.
Remember, having the right shampoo is the best way to make permed hair maintenance more affordable in the long run. It’s always better to buy a relatively expensive shampoo that’s formulated especially for permed hair than to have to redo your perms. Or worse, to get an even more expensive hair treatment to repair your damaged hair.
To help you out, we’ve gathered the sixteen best shampoos for permed hair that can take your gorgeous new locks to a whole new level.
Top 16 Best Shampoos for Permed Hair 2024
1. Best Overall Shampoo: Pure Nature Argan Oil Deep Hydra Nourishing Shampoo
Editor’s Rating:
Pure Nature Luz Spa Argan Oil Deep Hydra Nourishing Shampoo is a fantastic shampoo if you want to hydrate, moisturize, nourish and repair frizzy, dry, and damaged hair due to excessive styling or chemical treatments. It also contains UV and thermal protectants that can mitigate the damages caused by overexposure to sunlight and heat-styling products.
Safe and healthy to use for colored and keratin-treated hair, this shampoo contains no sulfates, parabens, sodium chloride, gluten, or phthalates that may cause irritation and disease to the hair and the scalp. It’s also perfectly suitable for frizzy, curly, wavy, fine, or thick hair, so if you don’t want to keep perming your hair anymore, you can still use this.
This shampoo is also great at moisturizing the hair to make it soft, manageable, and shiny. It also smoothens frizz and softens and defines curls. Lastly, it contains vitamin E that helps make the hair stronger, thicker, and younger-looking.
It’s not organic, so if that matters to you you’ll need to spend a bit more to get something like the Hask Coconut Milk & Organic Honey Curl Care Shampoo.
Ingredients
This shampoo contains hydrolyzed wheat protein, coconut oil derivative products, unsaturated essential fatty acids, and vitamin E, all of which can hydrate and restore hair moisture levels while providing the proper nourishment that damaged hair needs.
Pro Tip: For soft, shiny, manageable, clean, and easy to style hair, use the Deep Hydra Nourishing Shampoo with its counterpart conditioner, Deep Moisture Repair Conditioner.
Pros
- Allows hair nourishment, elasticity, control, and shine
- Repairs hair damage
- Keeps hair safe from UV rays, pollution, and other drying and freezing environmental factors
- Protects hair color
Cons
- Lower levels of lathering
- Not 100% organic
2. Best Budget Shampoo: Garnier Fructis Curl Nourish Shampoo
Editor’s Rating:
Garnier’s Fructis Curl Nourish Shampoo is a great choice for those who are looking for a budget shampoo that contains natural ingredients and has no parabens or sulfates. It boasts an ‘Active Fruit Protein’ formula which apparently includes an exclusive combination of vitamins, citrus protein, natural extracts, and special conditioners that are formulated for healthier and stronger hair.
It also has coconut oil that gently cleanses the hair so that it’s not stripped of its natural moisture. If you suffer from dryness, this shampoo can also deeply nourish your strands so that you can get well-defined and frizz-resistant curls that can last throughout your entire day.
It’s not great for thick curls, though, so if you’ve got a heavy set of curls you might want to try something made for detangling like the Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Shampoo.
Ingredients
The natural extracts for the Active Fruit Protein formula include fruit and plant extracts like sugar cane extract, lemon peel extract, lemon protein, macadamia ternifolia seed oil, jojoba seed oil, radish root ferment filtrate, and camellia sinensis leaf extract, among many others.
In addition to all these natural extracts, Fructis Curl Nourish Shampoo also uses fragrance ingredients naturally occurring in essential oils such as hexyl cinnamal, linalool, coumarin, limonene, geraniol, and citronellol.
Pro Tip: To complete the Curl Nourish hair care routine, after washing your hair with the shampoo, condition your hair with Curl Nourish Conditioner, and then after you’ve taken a bath and your hair is only damp, apply the leave-in treatment Curl Nourish Butter Cream.
Pros
- Plant-based shampoo formula
- Sulfate- and paraben-free
- Defined and frizz-resistant curls for 24 hours
- Works well in high humidity areas
- Protect hair during aggressive heat styling, even up to 446F
Cons
- May not be able to handle heavier curls
- Not for those who don’t like scented products
Editor’s Rating:
Adding shape and bounce to your curls, the Hask Coconut Milk & Organic Honey Curl Care Shampoo hydrates hair from the inside so that the split ends are sealed and the curls are always kept shiny and smooth. It can also tame even the most aggressively frizzy strands and let you wear your hair down without worrying about humidity.
If you tend to experience dryness, you don’t have to worry about that anymore with this shampoo at your disposal. It can keep your hair soft and lustrous even as you go about your day. Lastly, it’s also free of chemicals like sulfates, parabens, phthalates, gluten, drying alcohol, and artificial colors.
The biggest downside to this shampoo is the price, but if you’re willing to overlook that to make your hair the best it can be, then this shampoo is for you. It’s also not great for anyone who has dyed hair—anyone who colors their hair would likely be better served by something color-safe like the Nioxin 6 Color Safe Cleanser Shampoo.
Ingredients
With hydrating coconut milk extracts and nourishing organic honey additives, the shampoo cleanses your hair without stripping it of its natural oils so that your curls are left defined, frizz-proof, and shiny.
Pro Tip: The Curl Care Shampoo is best used with its partner Curl Care Conditioner which quenches thirsty curls for an even better bounce and shine in your hair.
Pros
- Made with hydrating coconut milk and nourishing organic honey
- Helps you get well-defined and frizz-free curls
- Sulfate- and paraben-free
Cons
- Pretty expensive
- It can fade out the color of dyed hair
4. Best Shine-Boosting Shampoo: Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Curl Defining Shampoo
Editor’s Rating:
Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Curl Defining Shampoo is specially formulated to reduce moisture loss in permed or curly hair.
It can smoothen your hair’s cuticle layer, which lets the shampoo penetrate your hair shaft and nourish your strands from within. It revives dry and frizzy hair, allowing you to get shiny and manageable hair that also repels humidity. Lastly, it can deeply cleanse your hair and hydrate, strengthen, and add shine to it so that it’s soft when touched.
In addition to these, the Curl Defining Shampoo is also sulfate and paraben-free and also has no phthalates and SLS. It won’t add volume like the Pure Nature Argan Oil Deep Hydra Nourishing Shampoo, and it’s not great for damaged hair like the Arvazallia Advanced Hair Repair Moisturizing Shampoo, but for most people it’ll fit the bill perfectly.
Ingredients
The product has hydrolyzed silk that not only strengthens your hair, but also makes it shinier, softer, and more manageable. It also has shea butter that is very moisturizing for the hair and scalp, prevents breakage, and can also reduce scalp irritation.
Alongside these, the shampoo is also infused with sunflower seed oils, aloe extract, and vitamin E that together, can redefine your curls and help nourish the scalp.
Pro Tip: For a more complete hair care regimen, simply follow it up with Strictly Curls Frizz Sealing Conditioner and also with styling products from the Strictly Curls collection.
Pros
- Made with hydrolyzed silk for protection against dry and frizzy hair
- Has shea butter for hair moisturization and damage repair
- Adds shine and manageability to hair
- Repels humidity
- Sulfate and Paraben-free
Cons
- Not exactly for damaged hair
- Will not help with adding volume to your hair
5. Best Moisturizing Shampoo: SheaMoisture Curl and Shine Coconut and Hibiscus Shampoo
Editor’s Rating:
Instead of sulfate, the SheaMoisture Curl and Shine Coconut and Hibiscus Shampoo uses organic shea butter to cleanse the hair of its impurities without taking away any essential natural oils. This is reinforced with coconut oil in the formulation that gently hydrates, moisturizes, and protects the hair while replenishing lost nutrients. Hibiscus flower extracts are also added to improve hair elasticity, which helps reduce hair breakage and split ends.
Aside from shea butter, coconut oil, and hibiscus flower extracts, the SheaMoisture Shampoo has many other natural ingredients in its formulation for naturally fragrant, frizz-free, shiny, and bouncy curls.
Ingredients
The shampoo is formulated with various natural ingredients. Aside from coconut and hibiscus, this shampoo has rosemary and aloe oils that can give the hair even more hydration, silk protein that smoothens the hair for a smooth, silky feel. It also has neem oil that controls frizz, as well as adds shine and luster to your strands.
Pro Tip: The shampoo is best for curly hair (3A, 3B, and 3C) and coily hair (4A, 4B, and 4C). It also works best with its complementary conditioner, the SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Loaded with natural ingredients
- Sulfate-free
- Uses organic shea butter instead of sulfate
- Formulated for curly hair types
Cons
- Not for people who like unscented products
- Will not work that well for fine hair
6. Best Damage-Repairing Shampoo: Arvazallia Advanced Hair Repair Moisturizing Shampoo
Editor’s Rating:
If your permed hair is dry and damaged, perhaps due to too many treatments or heat-styling, then this shampoo is for you.
The Arvazallia Advanced Hair Repair Moisturizing shampoo boasts a special formula that can repair, restore, and strengthen hair, particularly those damaged due to excessive styling and chemical treatments. It can even lock in moisture to keep the hair hydrated and moisturized, improving its texture and manageability for a more vibrant and healthy-looking hair.
Additionally, the product is sulfate and paraben-free, making it safe for use even for those who have undergone keratin or color treatments. It utilizes gentle but effective cleansing agents that can deeply cleanse your strands without drying it out or stripping it of its color and moisture.
Ingredients
This shampoo is very rich in natural ingredients that can make hair more beautiful without any adverse effects. For instance, it contains the vitamin and nutrient-rich argan oil and macadamia oil, two oils that can nourish hair of all types, including permed hair. They can even encourage healthy hair growth while giving the hair a luminous shine.
Pro Tip: The Arvazallia Advanced Hair Repair Moisturizing Shampoo is specially formulated to work together with Arvazallia Advanced Hair Repair Daily Hair Conditioner, Hydrating Argan Oil Hair Mask, and other Arvazallia Professional Series products, including Premium Argan Oil Hair Treatment and Ultra Curl Defining Cream.
Pros
- Has advanced proprietary formula for hair repair and strengthening
- Hydrates and moisturizes hair
- Sulfate- and paraben-free
- Infused with cosmetic-grade argan oil and macadamia oil
- Safe on chemically- or color-treated hair
Cons
- Pretty expensive (costs around $1.23 per fluid ounce)
- It has dimethicone guar which is not exactly a curl-safe ingredient
7. Best Detangling Shampoo: Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Shampoo
Editor’s Rating:
The Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Shampoo is a great product for those whose hair easily tangles and becomes frizzy. Thanks to its natural ingredients, this shampoo helps keep frizz at bay and maintain well-defined curls. It has coconut oil, papaya butter, and plumeria extract that can enhance your hair’s softness and elasticity, leading to bouncy and shiny curls.
Ideal for thick, curly hair, this sulfate-free shampoo hydrates your hair from within, leaving your locks looking healthy and shiny. It’s also pH-balanced, paraben-free, and silicone-free.
Ingredients
This shampoo has plenty of natural ingredients in its list. Not only does it contain coconut oil, papaya butter, and plumeria extract, it also has aloe vera leaf extracts, coconut water, and tapioca starch.
Pro Tip: Maui Moisture’s Coconut Oil collection suits high porosity hair best while its Coconut Milk collection works well with low porosity hair. Their Hibiscus Water and Shea Butter shampoos, on the other hand, are more suitable for naturally oily hair.
Pros
- Coconut Oil-based formulation
- Hydrates and add shines to curls
- Reduces frizz and helps detangle hair
- Has no sulfates, parabens, or silicones
Cons
- Can weigh down your curls when used too much
- Has a lot of alcohol in the ingredients that are not safe for curly hair
8. Best Gentle Shampoo: L'Oreal Paris EverCurl Hydracharge Sulfate Free Shampoo, with Coconut Oil
Editor’s Rating:
L’Oreal Paris EverCurl Hydracharge Shampoo has coconut oil that deeply hydrates and moisturizes the hair. In fact, this product claims that it can keep your curls well-defined for up to 48 hours. It can also provide additional nutrients to replace your hair’s lost natural oils.
Made for color-treated hair, it also has no harsh sulfates, salts, or surfactants that can strip, dull and damaged hair.
Ingredients
Aside from coconut oil, the Hydracharge shampoo also has grape seed oil, orange peel oil, and hibiscus esculentus seed extract for a sensorial lush, luxurious lather and a fresh aromatic fragrance
Pro Tip: For the best effect of defined curls up to 48 hours that are soft, manageable, hydrated, and without frizz and weigh down, use the shampoo with EverCurl Hydracharge Conditioner. You can also try it with EverCurl Sculpt & Hold Cream Gel for curl definition and anti-frizz.
Pros
- Up to 48 hours of curl definition
- Nourishes curls
- Does not dull hair color
- Sulfate-, Salt-, and Surfactant-Free
Cons
- Needs total system of EverCurl products to achieve best results
- A lot of alcohols in the ingredients that are not safe for curly hair
9. Best Curl-Enhancing Shampoo: SexyHair Curly Curl Enhancing Shampoo
Editor’s Rating:
SexyHair Curly Curl Enhancing Shampoo’s moisturizing formula is infused with cacay oil and sea algae extract that gently cleanses, nourishes, and protects your curls from frizz. The formula is also lightweight so there is no need to worry about weighing your curls down. Color-safe and ideal for all curly hair types, the shampoo is suitable if you want to enhance your curls daily.
It is a little bit drying, however, so if you’ve already got a dry scalp you might want to choose something more moisturizing like the SheaMoisture Curl and Shine Coconut and Hibiscus Shampoo.
Ingredients
As mentioned earlier, the key ingredients to the curl enhancing formula are the cacay oil and sea algae extract.
Pros
- Plant-based curl enhancement
- Color-safe
- Suitable for everyday use
- Ideal for all curly hair types
- Sulfate-free
Cons
- Huge leap of faith and money investment if you’re just trying it out since it’s only available in big bottles
- Can be drying to the scalp
10. Most Nourishing Shampoo: Dove Nutritive Solutions Anti-Frizz Oil Therapy Shampoo
Editor’s Rating:
With Dove Nutritive Solutions Anti-Frizz Oil Therapy Shampoo, your dry and frizzy hair can feel soft and manageable. The shampoo contains a unique blend of Nutri-Oils that removes frizz and makes the hair smooth.
Pro-Moisture Complex that nourishes your hair from within for longer-lasting up to 10 times damage resistance. It also has a non-greasy and lightweight moisturizing formula so it won’t weigh your hair down nor leave it feeling greasy.
The gentle formula also makes it suitable for use in your daily hair washing routine. It also makes the hair 10 times more resilient to daily damage caused by grooming and brushing the hair.
Ingredients
The Oil Therapy Shampoo’s Nutri-Oils blend includes sweet almond oil, kernel oil, hydrogenated coconut oil, and mineral oil among others. It also has fragrance ingredients extracted from essential oils such as hexyl cinnamal, limonene, and linalool.
While these ingredients are safe and effective, they’re not exactly natural. Anyone looking for an organic alternative would probably be best served by the Hask Coconut Milk & Organic Honey Curl Care Shampoo.
Pro Tip: For more comprehensive benefits, use the shampoo with Dove Anti-Frizz Oil Therapy Conditioner.
Pros
- Has lightweight Nutri-Oils formula to treat frizzy and dry hair
- Smoothens hair to make it soft and manageable
- Gentle cleansing
- Suitable for everyday use
Cons
- Its dimethicone ingredients may not be attractive to natural curlies
- It’s not sulfate-free
11. Best Color-Safe Shampoo: Nioxin 6 Color Safe Cleanser Shampoo
Editor’s Rating:
The Nioxin 6 Color Safe Cleanser Shampoo has a Scalp Access Delivery System 2.0 technology that removes sebum, fatty acids, and other environmental residue from the scalp and hair which deeply cleanses the scalp and provides thicker, fully-looking hair.
Ingredients
This derma-purifying shampoo contains peppermint oil, wild mint leaf oil, camellia sinensis leaf extract, hydrolyzed silk, candlenut seed oil, sweet fennel fruit extract, yeast extract, and many other ferments.
Pro Tip: For thicker, fuller hair in 30 days, use the Nioxin System 6 complete 3-part kit together.
Pros
- Professional hair and scalp cleanser
- Moisturizes and cleanses dry scalp
- For chemically-treated and progressively thinning hair
Cons
- Pretty expensive
- It’s not sulfate-free
12. Itallian Hairtech Professional Trivitt Chemically Treated Hair Shampoo
Editor’s Rating:
The entire Professional Trivitt Hair product series are developed from natural elements among technological active ingredients to provide advanced hair hydration, cauterization, damage repair, and highlight the hair’s natural shine.
In particular, the Chemically Treated Hair Shampoo gently rinses without leaving the hair dry and brittle and makes detangling easier by recovering hair fiber lost from chemical services after a Brazilian blowdry, straightening and relaxing service, or coloring and bleaching to restore your hair’s elasticity and make it less susceptible to breakage. It repairs hair damage, replenishes moisture, and provides shine and smoothness to the hair resulting in soft and shiny hair.
The shampoo contains natural ingredients that provide omega 3 and omega 6 which helps restore the natural oils in your hair and strengthens your hair fibers.
Ingredients
This daily cleansing shampoo contains hydrolyzed wheat protein, vegetable oil, and camelina sativa seed oil.
Pros
- Replenished damaged hair
- Moisturizing and hydrating
- Formulated from natural ingredients
- Smoothes and softens
Cons
- Relatively expensive
- May not be for those who don’t like strong citrusy scents
13. Zotos Nutri-Ox Chemically-Treated Hair Shampoo
Editor’s Rating:
In just as short as a week, Zotos Nutri-Ox Chemically-Treated Hair Shampoo can help your chemically-treated thinning hair become a fuller, thicker, and healthier-looking hair. The shampoo stimulates hair follicles and promotes circulation to reduce or slow down hair loss.
It also gently cleanses and fortifies the scalp, safeguarding it against chemical and toxin buildup. The shampoo also protects against color-fading which is ideal for those who dyed their hair.
Ingredients
This product doesn’t make use of any natural ingredients.
Pros
- Reduces hair loss
- Thickens and repairs chemically-treated thinning hair
- Color-safe
- No irritation or break out
Cons
- Relatively expensive
- Limited information and reviews available
14. MATRIX Total Results Curl Please Shampoo
Editor’s Rating:
The MATRIX Total Results Curl Please Shampoo cleanses the hair gently to control the frizz. It moisturizes curly hair not only to control the frizz but to also define the curls through supporting the hair structure and adding strength to each curl strand.
Ingredients
The Curl Please Shampoo has Jojoba Oil as key ingredient for a humidity-resistant formula that nourishes the hair while providing full-defined and lively curls.
Pros
- Humidity-resistant formula
- Nurtures curls
- Moisturizes curls to control frizz and define curls
Cons
- Not suitable for super fine hair
15. Curly Hair Solutions Treatment Shampoo
Editor’s Rating:
The Curly Hair Solutions Treatment Shampoo gently cleanses and strengthens your hair. It is also formulated with concentrates of Panthenol and Magnesium that strengthen the hair’s elasticity to reduce hair breakage.
Perfect for dry, damaged, lifeless, and brittle hair, the Treatment Shampoo has silk amino acids that soften and repair hair cuticles. It has generous amounts of ingredients that rebuild chemically-damaged hair. With continuous use, the effects are more lasting and the results of coloring, perming and relaxing hair are prolonged.
Ingredients
In addition to the silk amino acid, the shampoo also contains citric acid that adjusts and balances the pH level of the shampoo for curly hair.
Pros
- pH-balanced and color safe
- Water-based
- Silicon-free
- Strengthens, softens, and repairs hair
Cons
- Really expensive
16. Pantene Pro-V Curl Perfection Shampoo
Editor’s Rating:
Also available in 12.6 oz and 20.1 oz, the Pantene Pro-V Curl Perfection Shampoo defines your curls, controls frizz, and allows your hair to easily air dry so that your hair is bouncy, manageable, shiny and moisturized for up to 24 hours.
The shampoo aims for gentle cleansing and nourishment of your curls through Frizz Calming Complex that seals and smoothens cuticle edges to avoid too much loss of natural oils.
Formulated with antioxidants to help prevent protein loss, the Curl Perfection Shampoo also has surfactants to cleanse your hair, and conditioning agents to keep your moisturized.
Ingredients
Pantene Pro-V uses citric acid as a pH adjuster to keep the shampoo pH gentle enough even for permed or color-treated hair. It also has Hexyl Cinnamal which is a fragrance ingredient found naturally in the essential oil of chamomile for a jasmine-like scent in the shampoo.
Pro Tip:
To achieve until 24 hours of defined and hydrated curls, Pantene Pro-V Curl Perfection Shampoo is best followed up with the Curl Perfection Conditioner.
Pros
- 24 hours of curl-definition and moisture
- Gentle enough even for permed or color-treated hair
- Has Frizz Calming Complex
- Formulated with antioxidants to help prevent protein loss
- Cleanses and moisturizes hair
Cons
- Doesn’t have natural ingredients
Guide to Taking Care of Permed Hair
Now that you’ve got an idea of which shampoos are most suitable for your permed hair, it’s time to get into the full haircare routine. In the next sections, we’ll give you our best tips for taking care of your perm and answer some of the most common questions related to shampoos for permed hair.
Why Should Permed Hair Have a Different Shampoo?
Permed hair is basically just chemically-induced semi-permanent curls. And like all hair types that undergo a chemical process, permed hair is also more prone to dryness, frizz, and even breakage. Without proper care, it could easily lose its luster, and you would have to spend a lot of time and money just to restore it to its former glory.
These days, the easiest and most affordable way to maintain your perm and to keep its volume, texture, and shine is simply to use a nourishing and hydrating shampoo that is specifically formulated to do just that. Let’s discuss in detail what a different shampoo can do for your newly-permed hair.
Rehydration
Although even natural hair can become dry with overexposure to sunlight, wind, and chlorine, chemically treated hair tends to lose its moisture much faster. To keep your curls hydrated and therefore softer and more manageable at all times, it’s important to use a shampoo containing specific ingredients that can lock in moisture and rehydrate the hair.
Our recommendation for the best rehydrating shampoo for permed hair is the Pure Nature Argan Oil Deep Hydra Nourishing Shampoo.
Damage Repair
Any hair that undergoes a chemical treatment tends to experience adverse effects. Due to this, permed strands are more prone to breakage. And with locks easily knotting with just a slight breeze, the resulting tangles can lead to damaged hair even when carefully combed out.
Shampoos that are specifically formulated for permed, chemically-treated, or curly hair usually contain proteins like keratin and collagen. These proteins can protect each individual hair strand from breakage and repair and smoothen those that are already damaged.
If you’re looking to fix up broken-down permed hair, you can’t beat the Arvazallia Advanced Hair Repair Moisturizing Shampoo.
Shine Maintenance
Permed hair can easily lose all its nutrients due to humidity and temperature. Without the proper nutrients, your hair can also easily lose its shine and luster. Shampoos for permed hair contain plenty of natural oils and nutrients that can keep the hair lustrous and elastic.
To build and maintain a healthy luster, people with permed hair can’t do better than the Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Curl Defining Shampoo.
Frizz Protection
Frizz can roughen the soft texture of your hair and cause it to look unnaturally bushy. Sadly, curly hair, especially those that have been chemically-treated, are particularly more prone to frizz. Even when you’re just sleeping, all the tossing and turning can turn your well-defined curls into frizzy morning hair when you wake up. To avoid this, you should use a shampoo that can protect your hair from that dreaded frizz.
In short, permed hair requires a lot of proteins for hair reconstruction, humectants for hair moisture and frizz, and nutrients to keep it shiny and more. While there are shampoos available in the market that promise to fix these individual hair problems, shampoos specifically formulated for permed hair can address all these hair concerns at once, which is just what your permed hair needs.
If you’re looking to tame and manage your frizzy permed hair, the best shampoo for you is the Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Shampoo.
How to Take Care of Permed Hair
Depending on how your hairstylist did your perm, you typically have to wait between 24 to 72 hours before you wash your hair. This is because the chemicals used for the perm aren’t fully activated yet before this point, so you should avoid getting your hair wet if you want to keep your curls intact. Also, during that time, your curls are still quite malleable so you should also avoid brushing or styling your hair in any way.
Washing Your Hair
You’ll most likely need to invest in a new hair care routine starting with your shampoo and conditioner after perming your hair. Curl-enhancing products that are moisturizing and are high in proteins like the Pure Nature Argan Oil Deep Hydra Nourishing Shampoo are important in keeping your curls hydrated and maintaining their good condition.
Conditioning Your Hair
The chemical process involved in perming, even the best ones, can damage your strands at least a little bit. To prevent further damages, it’s always best to follow up with a conditioner after shampooing your hair.
You should also consider using an anti-damage conditioning hair mask at least once a week to keep your hair healthy and moisturized. Leave it on for up to 15 minutes with a warm towel wrapped around your head to ensure that your hair fully absorbs all its nutrients. Finally, rinse with cool water to close the cuticles and lock the benefits in.
Drying Your Hair
Opt for microfiber or cotton hair towels to squeeze excess water out of your hair because traditional towels can be too rough and can lead to frizz. Afterward, it’s recommended to just let your hair air dry instead of using a blowdryer to prevent any possible heat damage. You can also use a hair diffuser on a cool setting but it can still cause your permed hair to frizz slightly if done wrong.
Combing Your Hair
Instead of using a hairbrush or a fine-toothed comb, you should detangle your hair with a wide-toothed comb instead. If you don’t have one, even just your fingers will do. Doing so can keep your curls bonded and in place.
Styling Your Hair
Perms are actually semi-permanent and do not necessarily need daily enhancements in styling. Still, you can scrunch a curl-defining gel into your damp hair before it air dries instead of using curling irons to touch-up your hair’s curls.
Since chemically treated hair is prone to breakage, it’s best to avoid heat-styling. However, if you can’t avoid it and have to use heat-styling tools, make sure to apply heat protection spray on your hair first.
Whether you’re curling or straightening your hair, try to keep the heat at around 300°F or else you risk frying your strands. If you’re looking for a safe, adjustable hair straightener or curler, be sure to check out our guides to finding the best of the best of each product.
When You’re Out in the Sun
Similar to using heat-styling tools, being in the sun also exposes your hair to excessive heat and makes it more vulnerable to breakage. As such, if you expect to be out for prolonged periods of time, you should wear wide-brimmed hats to protect your hair from the intense heat of the sun. You can also use hair sunscreen to mitigate possible UV damage.
Going for a Swim
Chlorine can be very damaging to your strands, more so if you’ve got permed hair. As prevention, avoid swimming in chlorinated pools altogether. But if you really want to go for that long-awaited swim, especially if you plan to play for extended periods of time, then a swimming cap over your hair is a must.
Saltwater is also a bit damaging, but at least it can be remedied by proper washing. If not washed properly though, it can cause your curls to become stiff and your hair frizzy. Although seawater can cause your hair to entangle more than usual, that’s nothing a good comb can’t work out.
Tying Your Hair
Rubber bands can cause unnecessary friction with your perms. If you really need to tie your hair up, use covered silk bands instead of rubber bands. They are much better for your strands and can help you avoid that dreaded frizz.
Going to Sleep
Just like natural curlies, it’s best to wrap your hair around with a silk scarf or wear a bonnet before going to sleep to avoid the constant friction when you toss and turn in bed. Satin or silk pillowcases are also preferable in case you don’t want to sleep with your hair wrapped so that your hair can breathe. These pillowcases don’t cause any friction, which lessens the risks of drying your hair out and causing tangles and frizz while you sleep.
Getting Touch-Ups
Depending on your hair type and how you care for your permed hair, perms can typically last from three to six months. But just like with any other hair treatment, your hair might need touch-ups, especially during the winter when the air is dryer. Touch-ups keep your perms bouncy and prolong its lifespan. That said, you should always wait eight to ten weeks before getting a touch-up, or longer if possible, to prevent possible damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Difference Between Different Types of Shampoo?
Different types of shampoos exist because different types of hair require different types of care. Some shampoos are formulated for special situations, while other shampoos are better suited for normal, untreated hair.
Special shampoos include cleansing shampoos that remove product build-up on the scalp, shampoos for colored hair, medicated shampoo for medical hair conditions, dry shampoos you just spray and your hair and don’t need to wash, and even swimmer’s shampoos to remove pool chlorine and copper from the hair.
More common shampoos include everyday shampoos with their mild surfactants suited for daily use, volumizing shampoos, organic shampoos, oily hair shampoos, normal hair shampoos, dry damaged hair shampoos, and 2-in-1 shampoos that are both a cleansing shampoo and a conditioner.
What Ingredients Are Shampoo for Permed Hair Made Of?
Shampoos for permed hair typically contain humectants that lock the moisture in and proteins that prevent and repair the damage, such as keratin and collagen. They also contain natural oils and plant-based extracts that keep your hair smooth and shiny.
How Frequently Should I Shampoo My Permed Hair?
If you have permed hair, you shouldn’t be washing your hair as often as straight-haired people do. As ironic as it may seem, washing your hair too much can cause your hair to dry out faster. Depending on your hair’s exposure to physical dirt and sweat and how much oil your hair produces, you can opt to just shampoo your hair every few days and rinse it with cool water during the days in between.
How Long Should I Leave Shampoo on My Permed Hair?
There’s no need to leave the shampoo on your permed hair for a particular amount of time. It only has to stay on your strands long enough for you to be able to scrub your scalp gently before rinsing thoroughly, which doesn’t really differ from how you usually wash your hair, permed or not.
Should I Still Use a Conditioner for My Permed Hair?
Although shampoos for permed hair already contain ingredients needed to keep your locks healthy and moisturized, a conditioner is still an essential part of your hair care routine. Permed strands always tend to be dryer after perming due to the chemical process they undergo, so it’s important to regularly use a conditioner after shampooing and leave it on for at least a minute before rinsing. For best results, you should also deep-condition your hair with a special hair mask at least once a week.
Final Thoughts
Now a hairstyle trend in 2024, perms adds texture and volume to your hair while maintaining a perfect balance of restraint. Unlike the first-generation perms that seemed to be “one size fits all”, current perm hairstyles are more flattering and more adjustable to your hair type and facial structure.
Perm hair ideas these days don’t only look softer–they also literally feel that way. Thanks to the modern perm techniques that limit the damage and odor and allow customization, you can stop worrying about the tight perm curls that are difficult to manage and have a maintainable perm curl in whichever style you might prefer, from spiral coils to wavy hair, from S-pattern curl to an undone wave.
With the right shampoo and hair care routine and habits, you can flaunt and sway your gorgeous curls at any time of the day!