If you have permed hair, one of your concerns would be what shampoo to use that won’t ruin your curly locks. Some people, especially women, want to have wavy and curly hair, so they have their hair treated in order to get the wavy curls they want. This hairstyle is called a permanent wave, or perm for short, and a good deal of heat and chemicals are used to form and maintain it.
In this article, we are going to give you some tips in our buying guide on how to choose a good shampoo to use on your perm. To help you make your choice easier, read some comments and tips from dermatologist Dr. Katrina Erika Habaluyas Luz. We also curated a list of our top picks, so read on to find out the best ones!
Dr. Katrina Habaluyas Luz is the face behind Ask Your Derma. She is a board-certified dermatologist in Metro Manila. She is also an educator and digital creator on all things skin, hair, and nails. She is a Diplomate of the Philippine Dermatological Society and offers online video consultations. You can also catch her on her Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube channel.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Permed hair has been subjected to heat or chemicals that break and reform the bonds of the hair structure in order to create waves or curls. In the old days, this would be done using cold-perming or processing solutions, but nowadays, it is more common to use digital perming to curl straight hair.
Perming can magically transform your limp locks into bouncy curls or sultry waves. However, all that processing can leave your locks dry or damaged, since the bonds in the hair structure have been broken.
Typically, permed hair becomes brittle, unless you take great pains to use the right shampoo and products to counteract the damage. It is essential to use products that offer reparative and nourishing benefits.
Perm or permanent can definitely have damaging effects on the hair structure - from decreasing the stiffness of the fiber to changing the protein and lipids composition of hair.
This means extra care must be put into hair care. Choosing products made specifically for chemically treated hair is key as these can nourish your locks, helping it to maintain its healthy appearance.
Permed hair has a different set of needs from untreated hair. It can be considered as in need of restoration and repair due to the stress that perming does to the strands. Here are the ingredients you should watch out for to pick the best shampoo for your perm.
The cleaning component in your choice of shampoo can affect the strength and durability of your hair. When it comes to permed hair, it is recommended to use a shampoo that has amino acids.
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and are important for maintaining tensile strength, shine, and hair density. They combine to form proteins, the most prominent of which is keratin. Keratin is the major component of the hair fiber, so shampoos that contain keratin are great for permed hair.
Hair is composed primarily of protein, particularly keratin. With this, a lot of hair care products have been incorporated with amino acids and marketed as improving hair strength.
Oshimura, E., et al., in a journal entitled Hair and Amino acids identified that certain hair products incorporated with alanine, an amino acid, improved the water-repellant properties of hair while histidine and phenylalanine improved its tensile strength.
Silicone is an ingredient that inspires both love and hate from curly or perm-haired people. Silicone gives your locks a slippery-smooth and silky feeling, as well as a lively shine. Unfortunately, they also cause product build-up that can leave your hair dull and lifeless afterward.
But with technology constantly evolving, some shampoos nowadays contain good silicones or silicones that have been processed down to their breathable nature. These types of silicone do not cause buildup.
Thus, you can now enjoy its benefits of shine and a strong conditioning effect without coating your hair strands with a build-up that is difficult to remove. Some examples of good silicones are Dimethicone, Silica, Stearoxy Dimethicone, or Behenoxy Dimethicone.
Silicones are a common add-on in shampoos these days as it is able to provide smoothness, softness, and shine to dry hair. Examples include dimethicone, dimethiconol, and amodimethicone.
In an article by J. Yang entitled Hair Care Cosmetics, a comparison between silicone treated and untreated hair surfaces was done. There was a clear difference seen in silicone-treated hair—it appeared smoother and had a thin protective layer.
Oils are the perfect antidote to dryness. They are a good substitute if you want to go totally silicone-free. There are many nourishing oils in shampoos, such as coconut oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, and more. Shampoos that contain vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, ceramide, and collagen are also highly recommended to restore dry and damaged hair.
Studies have shown that applying hair oil is important in protecting the hair from damage. Some oils penetrate the hair and reduce the amount of water absorbed in the hair, leading to less swelling. This can reduce the cycle of repeated swelling and drying, a factor that can damage hair.
Hair oils can fill the gap between the cuticle cells and prevent the penetration of aggressive substances such as surfactants into the follicle. Also, applying oil on a regular basis can enhance lubrication of the shaft and help prevent hair breakage.
Since permed hair should be considered hair that needs hydrating and moisturizing, it is important to follow up shampooing with conditioning. Keep this in mind when you buy a shampoo for permed hair.
Most shampoos for permed hair have a corresponding conditioner that is produced by the same manufacturer. You can get the best results if you use them together because they would be based on the same formulation.
Conditioners provide manageability, gloss, and anti-static properties to the hair. Protein-rich conditioners can even temporarily seal split ends. Several different active agents can be combined to achieve a hair conditioner designed for a given hair type.
Choosing the right conditioner for permed hair is definitely beneficial. Conditioners are best used after every shampoo (unless you use a “2-in-1” conditioning shampoo, which cleans and conditions hair).
This product from Kérastase is truly a heavyweight when it comes to benefits. With its expert formulation of ceramides and honey, you get a curly hair shampoo that combines innovation and luxury. Its main star is ceramide, an ingredient known for improving hair strength, elasticity, moisture, and shine. This is especially helpful for permed and curly hair, which are prone to brittleness and dryness.
It also contains manuka honey for an extra boost of hydration and for taming frizz. The texture of the shampoo is creamy and feels quite luxurious, too. Another plus is that this shampoo provides moisture without weighing your curls down. Instead, it enhances the curl patterns of your hair, leaving you with defined and bouncy curls!
From the Davines Essentials line comes this shampoo that is perfect for keeping your curls intact. This shampoo is free from sulfates and parabens; instead, to promote biodiversity, its active ingredients come from rare fruit and vegetable strains grown in Italy.
It is designed to increase the elasticity of curly or wavy hair. It does not bubble much but lathers into a soft and creamy foam and leaves hair soft and light. A little goes a long way, according to users who have been pleasantly surprised to find that this seemingly small bottle of shampoo lasts for a long time.
Your scalp will thank you, too, because this product strips dirt and oil away without leaving your scalp dry. And because it is made of natural and fresh ingredients, you'll get lovely citrus and green fragrance that you'll smell all day long!
This shampoo is a totally plant-based product designed specifically to enhance curls and provide nourishment for tired locks. Enriched with coconut oil and aloe vera, this product goes a long way in rejuvenating stressed-out hair strands.
If you struggle with frizz, which is very likely if you have permed hair, then this product might be for you. Users attest to its ability to fight frizz, even when exposed to unpredictable weather. The innovative formula allows hair to expand when it is wet and retract when dry, resulting in enhanced curls.
Keep in mind, though, that plant-based shampoos work best with plant-based conditioners. The natural ingredients work better together that way and enhance one another's properties. So if you decide to use this plant-based shampoo, it's best to get its matching conditioner or another one that's also plant-based.
This product is a great buy for its ability to address concerns specific to chemically-treated hair. With its solutions to the problems of dryness, brittleness, and gentle cleansing, it can be considered a well-rounded shampoo.
If you've got corkscrew or tight curls and need a deep moisture boost, look no further than this one from Ouidad. This shampoo aims to lock in moisture and prevent split ends and dryness with its formulation of chamomile extract and corn oil.
It also contains wheat amino acids to ensure that your strands are strong and resistant to breakage. It also has nourishing vitamins to rejuvenate hair strands that have been stressed with the perming process. When coupled with its matching conditioner, you get a bounce and shine that looks like you just stepped out of the salon!
Enjoy bouncy, healthy curls with this shampoo from Shea Moisture intended for curly-haired people. With coconut oil as its base, it delivers huge hydration benefits for tired tresses. It is paraben-free, sulfate-free, and color-safe, so you can also use it if you have chemically-dyed hair.
Its special blend of silk protein, coconut, and neem oils works to gently cleanse and detangle hair while restoring moisture, body, and shine. Silk protein is responsible for that silky feel, while coconut oil protects hair from breakage. Frizz and dullness won't be an issue with this product because of the presence of neem oils as well.
Neem oil also has great regenerative properties that stimulate hair follicle growth and function and counteracts hair thinning and breakage. With all of this goodness packed in one shampoo bottle, you will be on your way to healthy, luscious curls!
It is free of sulfates, parabens, protein, and silicones, so don't be surprised if it doesn't work up to a rich lather. But you will definitely feel its cleansing power afterward in your squeaky clean scalp and light hair. It also has castor oil in it, which gives your curls some added bounce and boost!
Because it's very mild, it is suitable for all hair and scalp types. User reviews often cite how the formulation is so gentle yet effective even at resolving dry scalp problems. It also helps to add volume and body to limp hair.
This shampoo bar from Beach Born is designed for dry and damaged hair. With its formulation comprised of the finest cocoa butter, your locks will have a shiny, silky feel. It also contains extra virgin coconut oil to deep condition and repair your split ends or damaged hair strands. Say goodbye to rough hair cuticles with this product!
It is also packed with vitamins from its citrus essential oils, specifically grapefruit, to help thicken and strengthen your weakened and brittle hair. You can manage frizz as well due to the smoothing power of ylang-ylang and bergamot essential oils. And best of all, you can smell the lovely, lush floral scent in your hair all day long!
There’s more to taking care of permed hair than just looking for the right shampoo. If you want your perm to last longer and look its best, here are some tips care of Healthline to help you make the most of it.
The care of permed hair is similar to the care for curly hair. Typically, the small angle of the waves of curly hair makes it more susceptible to breakage when mechanically worked. A good tip is to use a wide-toothed comb to prevent excessive friction and trauma to the hair.
Another tip in maintaining permed hair is to use products that are made for chemically treated hair. Since perming can leave hair dry and damaged, it's important to condition your hair, especially with those conditioning shampoos that can help restore moisture and shine. Best to consult your board-certified dermatologist!
Below, Dr. Katrina answers some of the web's most asked questions, so before you hit that check out button, have a read to make sure you make informed decisions!
There are no hard and fast rules but in general less often than those with straight hair.
Definitely, do not wet the hair immediately after a perm (at least 3 days) in order to help keep those curls intact.
Permed hair requires quite a bit of upkeep to keep those curls intact. Be sure to:
Haircare is a highly personal choice. For most people, shampooing the hair daily is not necessary, while others can't let a day pass by without washing their hair. The decision on how frequently to wash the hair is a cosmetic one based on personal preference. For permed hair, particularly, since it is baseline dry, washing the hair too often can strip it of its natural oils.
Best to try out the shampoo and see if you develop a reaction from it. Also, listen to your hair! Make sure it stays moisturized and well-nourished despite getting a perm. When in doubt, Ask Your Derma! Yes, we deal with hair too!
Paying attention to what our hair needs should definitely be a priority in our personal care routine. After all, it's called our crowning glory! Having gorgeous hair is an instant mood and confidence booster. Here are some of our article reviews of other hair care products to help you take better care of your hair.
Re-editor: R. Umlas
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
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The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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