Permed hair is a popular hairstyle for those who want curly or wavy locks, but maintaining permed hair requires extra care. One important aspect of hair care for those with permed hair is understanding how water affects it. Wetting permed hair every day may seem like a good idea, but is it really? In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of wetting permed hair every day and provide tips for maintaining healthy permed hair.
Understanding Permed Hair
Before diving into the pros and cons of wetting permed hair every day, let’s first understand what permed hair is and how it reacts to water. A perm, short for permanent wave, involves chemically treating your hair to make it curly or wavy. The process breaks and re-forms the hair’s bonds, creating the curls. However, this process can weaken the hair’s structure, making it more fragile and sensitive to external factors, including moisture.
The Impact of Wetting Permed Hair
When you wet your permed hair, the water affects the chemical bonds that were altered during the perming process. While water is essential for hair health, over-wetting or daily wetting can impact the longevity of your curls. The key is to strike a balance between keeping your hair hydrated and avoiding excessive moisture that could weaken the curls or cause frizz.
Now, let’s explore the pros and cons of wetting permed hair every day.
The Pros of Wetting Permed Hair Every Day
1. Keeps Hair Hydrated
One of the main benefits of wetting permed hair every day is hydration. Permed hair can become dry because the chemical process often strips the hair of natural oils. Water helps restore moisture, keeping your hair soft and shiny. If you live in a dry climate, daily hydration can prevent your hair from becoming brittle.
2. Reduces Frizz
Another advantage of wetting permed hair is that it can help reduce frizz. Frizzy hair is a common issue for those with permed hair. Wetting your hair every day allows you to smooth out the curls and reduce static. This can help maintain the shape and texture of your curls, keeping them looking neat and defined.
3. Easier to Style
Wetting your hair every day makes it easier to manage and style. When your hair is wet, it’s more pliable, meaning you can shape your curls more easily. This is especially useful if you want to touch up your curls or reshape them after sleeping on them. Wetting your hair can make it easier to apply styling products such as curl creams or leave-in conditioners.
4. Reduces Tangling
Daily wetting can help reduce tangling, especially for those with long permed hair. When your hair is wet, it’s smoother and less likely to get knotted. This makes combing or brushing your hair easier, reducing the risk of breakage and damage. A wide-tooth comb or your fingers can be used to gently detangle the hair without causing unnecessary damage.
5. Promotes Healthy Scalp
Wetting permed hair every day also has benefits for your scalp. Regular wetting helps promote circulation, which in turn can keep the scalp healthy. Additionally, using water to clean the scalp can help remove buildup from styling products or natural oils that may clog hair follicles. A clean, healthy scalp encourages hair growth and can reduce issues like dandruff or itching.
The Cons of Wetting Permed Hair Every Day
1. Risk of Dryness
While wetting permed hair can hydrate it, doing so too often can actually lead to dryness. This is because water alone isn’t enough to retain moisture in the hair. Permed hair is more porous than untreated hair, meaning it can absorb water quickly but also lose moisture just as fast. If you don’t follow up with the right moisturizers, daily wetting can strip your hair of its natural oils, making it dry and prone to breakage.
2. Loss of Curl Definition
One of the most significant drawbacks of wetting permed hair every day is that it can affect the definition of your curls. Constantly wetting your hair can cause the curls to lose their shape over time. The moisture can break down the chemical bonds that were formed during the perm, making your curls less defined. To maintain the shape of your curls, it’s important to avoid over-wetting your hair or applying too much water.
3. Frizz and Unruliness
Although wetting permed hair can reduce frizz initially, over-wetting can lead to the opposite effect. When permed hair is constantly exposed to moisture, the curls can become heavy and weighed down. This can cause the curls to lose their bounce and turn frizzy, especially when the hair dries. If the hair isn’t properly hydrated after each wetting, you may end up with frizzy, unmanageable hair.
4. Risk of Over-Washing
Wetting your permed hair every day could lead to over-washing, especially if you shampoo your hair every time you wet it. Over-washing strips the hair of natural oils, which are essential for maintaining healthy hair. This can result in dryness, breakage, and a lack of shine. If you’re wetting your hair every day, it’s important to use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner and avoid shampooing too frequently.
5. Increased Damage
Permed hair is more fragile than untreated hair, and wetting it every day can exacerbate this. Frequent exposure to water, combined with the chemicals used in perming, can cause the hair to weaken over time. This increases the risk of breakage and split ends, especially if you’re not using the right products to protect your hair. It’s crucial to handle permed hair with care and avoid excessive wetting that could lead to damage.
Tips for Wetting Permed Hair
If you decide that wetting your permed hair every day works for you, there are several ways to do it properly to minimize the cons.
1. Use Lukewarm Water
When wetting permed hair, always use lukewarm water instead of hot water. Hot water can strip your hair of moisture, making it dry and frizzy. Lukewarm water helps to hydrate the hair without causing any damage.
2. Follow Up with Moisturizing Products
After wetting your hair, it’s important to follow up with moisturizing products to lock in the moisture. Use a leave-in conditioner, curl cream, or hair oil to keep your hair soft and hydrated. These products help to restore the natural oils lost during the perming process and prevent your curls from becoming dry or brittle.
3. Avoid Shampooing Every Day
If you’re wetting your hair every day, try not to shampoo it every time. Over-shampooing can strip your hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness and damage. Instead, rinse your hair with water and apply conditioner to keep it moisturized.
4. Protect Your Hair from Heat Styling
If you plan to use heat styling tools on your permed hair after wetting it, be sure to apply a heat protectant. Excessive heat can cause further damage to permed hair, so it’s essential to minimize heat styling. Use heat tools only when necessary and always protect your hair with a good heat protectant spray.
5. Use a Wide-Tooth Comb or Fingers
After wetting your hair, use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to gently detangle it. This will help avoid breakage and minimize damage. Avoid brushing wet permed hair with a fine-toothed comb, as this can cause the curls to lose their shape and lead to breakage.
Conclusion
Wetting permed hair every day has both benefits and drawbacks. While it can help keep your hair hydrated, reduce frizz, and make styling easier, it can also lead to dryness, loss of curl definition, and increased damage if not done properly. The key is to find a balance that works for your hair type and lifestyle. Always follow up with moisturizing products and handle your hair gently to maintain healthy, beautiful permed curls.
By being mindful of how often you wet your hair and taking proper care, you can enjoy the benefits of permed hair while minimizing the risks.
Related topics:
- Hair Ends Drying: Causes & Treatment
- Hair Thinning: Causes & Solutions for Healthier Hair
- Hair Frizzy After Washing: Causes & Solutions
