Perms are one of those hairstyles that always make a comeback. And for good reason. No matter which type of perms you get - spot, body wave, spiral perms, or others, those luscious curls are a style statement by themselves.
However, that beautiful wavy perm also needs extra care and nourishment. For starters, choosing the right shampoo becomes extremely important. So if you are currently wondering how to choose the best shampoo for permed hair, well, you have come to the right place.
Table of Contents
- How to Choose a Shampoo for Permed Hair?
- Moisturizing Agents
- Look for Keratin
- Say no to Parabens and Sulfates
- Avoid silicones
- pH adjusters are essential
- How do you maintain permed hair?
- Protect from Direct Sunlight
- Trim Your Hair
- Avoid Hair Treatments
- Detangle Hair Strands Carefully
- Get the Right Products for Your Permed Hair
How to Choose a Shampoo for Permed Hair?
Check the product labels to choose the best shampoo and conditioner for permed hair. Here is what you need to look for:
Moisturizing Agents
You should ensure that your shampoo contains moisturizing or hydrating agents. Examples include aloe vera gel, argan oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid. These agents will also help nourisg your tresses and will prevent them from becoming dry and brittle.
WOW Coconut Milk Shampoo & Conditioner
For that ultimate hydration, check out our nourishing coconut milk shampoo and conditioner duo. The shampoo contains moisturizing ingredients such as aloe vera gel, and the conditioner contains the much-needed protein keratin. Use this duo to hydrate your hair follicles and maintain your permed hair.

Look for Keratin
Permed hair is more prone to damage, which is why you should make sure that your shampoo contains proteins like keratin. Keratin is a fibrous structural protein present in your hair, skin, nails, and the rest of the body. It will help in the repair and reconstruction of your hair waves as well as make your curly hair look healthier.
Say no to Parabens and Sulfates
Ensure that your shampoo and other hair products are devoid of any parabens and sulfates such as methylparaben, sodium lauryl sulfate, etc. Parabens and sulfates have more disadvantages than they have advantages. They are only added in shampoos as preservatives and have some cleansing and foaming properties. But they can dry out your hair and lead to frizzy, dull-looking hair.
Avoid silicones
Silicones are very common in shampoos and conditioners. They may help, by creating a coat between the hair strands and the perm solution, but they may also weigh your hair down if you apply products that contain them on a regular basis.
To tackle this problem, you can decrease the frequency of using silicone-based hair care products or go for silicone-free hair products.
pH adjusters are essential
Most shampoos contain alkaline agents, which can cause hair shaft swelling and damage. That's the last thing you would want in your newly done hair, right?
This is why you should either go for shampoos that contain only a few alkaline agents or contain an additional pH adjuster. In this case, to balance the pH, the pH adjuster would be an acidic agent such as glycolic acid. An apple cider vinegar shampoo is also a great choice, as ACV can help regulate your scalp and hair’s pH. Moreover, shampoos for permed hair that are formulated with a neutral pH are best for perms and other types of chemically treated hair.

How do you maintain permed hair
If you want to prolong the lifespan of your perms, here are a few products for permed hair, and things that you can do:

Protect from Direct Sunlight
When you’ve newly permed your hair, you should avoid exposing it to direct sunlight. This is because the sun can make your locks weaker, brittle, and dry. Simply putting on a hat or cap that doesn't expose your perms is all you need to do. Alternatively, you can put on a leave-in-conditioner to protect your hair from the damaging effects of the sun.
WOW Hair Revitalizer
WOW Hair Revitalizer is a great leave-in conditioner for permed hair that will help the hair absorb more proteins and retain moisture. It will also help in restoring shine and vitality to your hair.
To use this product, you have to spray it evenly along the length of your tresses and massage gently.

Trim Your Hair
Hair trimming is beneficial for all hair types and even more so if you have permed hair. Regularly chopping off damaged ends will make your hair look and feel healthy. Plus, it is beneficial for overall hair growth. Consider getting a trim every five to six weeks.
Avoid Hair Treatments
There are already a lot of chemicals that go into giving you those beautiful perms. Color-treated hair, for instance, is also obtained by using harsh chemicals. So, try to steer clear of other chemical hair treatments, such as hair color, for at least a year.
Detangle Hair Strands Carefully
Luscious curls may take a little longer to brush, but you must be patient with them. Make sure to use either your fingers or a wide-tooth comb instead of a hairbrush. Start combing from the end of your tresses and slowly move upwards as you detangle.
Get the Right Products for Your Permed Hair
Here is a selection of top hair products that work well to protect your hair from damage and maintain perms:
WOW 10 in 1 Hair Oil

WOW 10 in 1 Hair Oil is a unique blend of ten natural oils such as Moroccan argan oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, and safflower oil. It works to replenish your hair from the roots down, tame frizz, and strengthen your tresses.
WOW Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo & Conditioner

Moroccan Argan Oil is a boon when it comes to getting and maintaining healthy locks. The WOW Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo & Conditioner duo contains other beneficial ingredients such as vitamin A, vitamin E, omega-6 fatty acids, and niacin. These ingredients will nourish your hair and scalp and hydrate your locks to maintain your perms.
WOW Moroccan Argan Oil Hair Mask

Our WOW Moroccan Argan Oil Hair Mask works excellently on chemical-treated and damaged hair. It contains ingredients such as Black Spruce Bark Extract, Wheat Protein, Argan Oil, among others. These natural compounds work together to replenish damaged hair strands and protect from sun damage.
Apply generous amounts of this hair mask evenly on your permed hair and allow it to do its magic for at least ten minutes before you rinse it off with warm water.
Choosing the best shampoo for permed hair has never been so easy, after you have found out how long your hair needs to be to get a perm and when to wash hair after a perm.
Explore the WOW website for more natural hair care products.
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