Perm and Swimming
A: Most salons recommend waiting between 48 and 72 hours after getting a perm before swimming, shampooing, or doing anything else that could interfere with your new curl pattern. During this window, your hair is still adjusting after the chemical process, and giving it a chance to settle helps your perm last longer and look its best.
Why Your Hair is Vulnerable Right Now
The perming process leaves the hair significantly more porous than it was before treatment. The chemicals used to create your new curl pattern lift the hair's cuticle layer (the outer shingles) to reshape the hair's internal disulfide bonds. While this process is essential for creating curls or waves, it also leaves the hair highly vulnerable to moisture loss, extreme dryness, and environmental damage immediately afterward.The recommended waiting period gives the hair time to return to its normal pH and moisture balance. As the cuticle layer gradually settles back down and flattens, the hair becomes less porous and better able to lock in hydration. Until that happens, anything that comes into contact with your hair - including water, styling products, or pool chemicals - will have a much harsher impact than it normally would.
The Danger of Pool Chemicals & Saltwater
Swimming pools and hot tubs contain chemicals like chlorine and other disinfectants to control bacteria and algae. While these chemicals are effective for water sanitation, they are notoriously harsh on hair.Freshly permed hair is especially susceptible to damage because the raised cuticles allow chlorine to penetrate deep into the hair shaft, stripping away natural lipids and leaving your curls dry and brittle.
Don't be fooled by saltwater pools. They carry the exact same chemical risks for a fresh perm as a traditional chlorinated pool.
For these reasons, wait at least three full days after your perm before swimming in any pool. Ideally, you should wait until you have completed your first post-perm wash and deep-conditioning treatment at home.
Precautions for Swimmers
If you know you will be spending a lot of time in the pool after your waiting period is up, a few simple precautions will make a huge difference in preserving your curls:• Wear a Swim Cap: Although they aren't everyone's favorite accessory, a silicone or latex swim cap offers the absolute best protection by keeping the vast majority of pool water away from your curls.
• The "Sponge" Trick: If you choose not to wear a cap, thoroughly wet your hair with clean tap water before diving in. Hair acts like a sponge and can only hold so much liquid. If it is already saturated with fresh water, it will absorb significantly less chlorinated pool water.
• Create a Barrier: Apply a generous amount of leave-in conditioner or a natural hair oil to your damp hair before swimming to create a protective, water-repelling barrier.
• Rinse and Wash Immediately: As soon as you get out of the pool, rinse your hair thoroughly with fresh tap water to wash away residual chlorine.
• Use the Right Shampoo: Wash your hair with a sulfate-free, specialized swimmer's shampoo. Look for a gentle, sulfate-free formula containing ingredients like sodium thiosulfate or vitamin C to safely neutralize and lift away chlorine without stripping your curls of essential moisture. Follow up immediately with a hydrating conditioner.
©Hairfinder.com
See also:
Style and wet newly permed hair
How soon following a perm can one get hair wet in a spa tub?