Some curly-hair experts cut permed hair when it’s wet. Ultimately, the decision is up to you. The risk is that when your hair dries, the curl pattern might be off because individual strands can react differently and shrink more than you might expect. [1] X Research source
You’ll notice that hair-cutting shears are a lot shorter than your pair of traditional scissors. That’s because you generally don’t use the blade’s whole length when cutting hair; just the very sharp ends are used to make precise cuts.
A handheld mirror also helps you check out all the angles as you work.
If you have a hair-cutting cape, even better! But it’s not necessary to go out and buy anything new if you don’t. For even easier cleanup, cut your hair outside if the weather is nice.
You might be thinking that this is definitely not how you cut your pre-permed hair. If it helps, try to remember that you turned into a curly-haired person once you got your perm. So cutting, styling, and caring for your hair all look a little different from before.
For example, the curls from the top of your head go toward 11, 12, and 1 o’clock positions. The hair on the sides goes toward the 2, 3, 4, and 8, 9, and 10 o’clock positions. Curls from the bottom point toward the 5, 6, and 7 o’clock positions. Since you’re doing a dry cut, you don’t have to section out your hair. It actually helps to see all your curls down together so you can make each cut at the right place.
When you cut permed hair, the loss of excess weight makes curls spring up even further than you anticipate. So, you sometimes lose more length than just the amount of hair you trimmed away. [8] X Trustworthy Source Consumer Reports Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing Go to source
Patience is key here—you might want to rush and get your cut over with, but take your time. Especially with permed, curly, textured hair, an accidental cut could mean you have to trim off a lot more length than you intended.
Depending on the shape and health of your hair, you might not have to cut every single curl.
Try to schedule a conditioning treatment at least once a week. You can do them more often if your hair needs it.
Avoid products that contain alcohol, parabens, and sulfates. [13] X Expert Source Courtney FosterLicensed Cosmetologist Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.
A microfiber towel also works well if you want to wrap your hair up after a shower as you get ready.
If you do want to straighten your permed hair, check out this great article for some helpful tips and tricks.
If your hair needs a little help between washes, check out dry shampoo—it can refresh and lift your locks to give them some vitality in between washes. [17] X Research source Infrequent washing means your natural oils have more time to accumulate and moisturize your hair.
Use your best judgment when deciding if you need a haircut or not. If you notice dry ends, excessive tangles, split ends, or frequent knots, you might want to trim your hair even if it hasn’t been 3-4 months yet. [19] X Research source If you want to change your hair’s length or look, you don’t have to wait any specific amount of time.
