Perm Before Surgery

Woman with permed hair, before surgery
Image: AI illustration
Q: Is it safe to get a perm one or two months before an operation? Will the perm turn frizzy because of the drugs they give you to put you under anesthesia?
 
A: You should be perfectly fine getting your hair permed a month or two before scheduled surgery, and even having it done just a few days beforehand shouldn't cause any problems. When a perm is properly performed by a skilled stylist, it leaves your hair structurally stable and shouldn't be negatively affected by the anesthetic medications or other drugs administered during your operation.
 
The perming process does make hair somewhat more porous due to the chemical processing involved, but this increased porosity won't be impacted by the medications used during surgery. The anesthetic gases and intravenous drugs that put you under for an operation don't interact with the chemical bonds that create your perm's curl pattern, so you don't need to worry about waking up with ruined hair.
 
There are some people who experience difficulties with perming their hair when they're on long-term medications for chronic conditions, but these issues are quite different from the temporary drug exposure you'll experience during surgery. In cases where ongoing medications do interfere with perm results, the problem can usually be resolved by using a clarifying shampoo before the perming process to remove any medication residue or buildup from the hair shaft.
 
The relationship between medications and hair perming typically becomes problematic when certain drugs affect how hair grows over time. Some medications can cause hair to grow with a more compact cuticle layer, making it more resistant to chemical processing and color treatments. Other medications might cause hair to become more porous than normal, leading to excessive moisture loss, dryness, and difficulty with conditioning treatments. However, these are long-term effects that develop over months of medication use, not something that happens from a single surgical procedure.
 
In the scenario you're describing, where you're planning to get a perm before a one-time operation, there's really nothing to be concerned about. If your hair is currently in good condition and healthy, you should be able to get your perm without any problems. The key is to follow your stylist's aftercare instructions carefully once you have the perm done.
 
Proper post-perm care involves keeping your hair well-moisturized and properly conditioned. Use sulfate-free shampoos designed for chemically treated hair, and apply a good quality conditioner or hair mask regularly to maintain moisture levels. Avoid excessive heat styling and be gentle when brushing or combing your permed hair to prevent damage to the curl pattern.
 
One additional consideration worth mentioning is your recovery period after surgery. If you're going to be confined to bed rest for an extended period following your operation, you might want to invest in a silk or satin pillowcase or sleeping cap. These smoother fabrics create less friction against your hair compared to cotton bedding, which can help prevent tangling and frizz while you're spending more time lying down than usual.
 
©Hairfinder.com
 
See also:
 
Can medication or anesthetics cause a perm to drop out?
 
Should I get my perm done before surgery or afterward?
 
Medications with side effects that affect our hair