Workout with Permed Hair

Woman with a permed bob during a workout
Photo: ShotPrime Studio/Shutterstock
Q: I have a perm, and I just started to work out. How do I keep my hair looking like I have a perm? I know I should wrap it before I work out, but I do sweat a lot.
 
A: Well, contrary to popular myth, if a perm service is properly performed and the initial setting period has passed, exercise and perspiration will not undo your new wave pattern. If your perm is brand new, follow your stylist’s instructions or the common rule of waiting a minimum of 48 hours before exposing your hair to moisture or engaging in a heavy, sweat-inducing workout.
 
The chemical process of a perm creates a permanent change in the hair. However, permed hair tends to be more porous, dry, and fragile than natural hair. So, keeping your curls looking good is a matter of maintaining overall hair health. If your hair is porous and lacking moisture, it needs extra hydration. Avoiding intense heat, heavy friction, and harsh cleansing will keep your hair looking and feeling healthy.
 

Scalp Cleansing and Shampoo

When dealing with sweat, the goal is to keep your scalp and hair looking and smelling clean without stripping away essential moisture. After a workout with excessive perspiration, cleanse the scalp using a mild shampoo that doesn't leave the hair excessively dry.
 
Focus the shampoo on the scalp, massage softly with your fingertips, and let it run down the hair lengths as you rinse. You don't need a special perm shampoo. Simply pick a gentle shampoo that is suitable for chemically treated hair.
 
If you work out daily, you don't need to use shampoo every time. On days with light perspiration, giving your hair a thorough water rinse will rinse away scalp sweat and salt deposits without stripping moisture from your hair. Alternatively, you could apply a conditioner alone.
 

Post-Workout Steps

If you cannot shower right after a workout, gently pat your scalp dry with a microfiber towel and let your hair air-dry rather than leaving it wrapped tightly while damp. If you use a hair dryer, attach a diffuser and set it to low or cool air. This refreshes your curls without creating frizz or blowing out their shape.
 
To boost moisture and enhance curl definition, apply a suitable leave-in conditioner or curl-refreshing spray to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair. This step keeps chemically treated hair hydrated and well-shaped, and reduces the risk of breakage.
 
If you are worried about lingering sweat odors, washing or rinsing is always a better choice than attempting to hide it with heavy perfumes or body sprays, which may contain alcohols that dry out your hair or irritate your scalp.
 

Protecting Your Hair During Workouts

When it comes to wrapping or securing your hair during a workout, focus on minimizing tension and absorbing moisture. Wear a moisture-wicking microfiber or terrycloth sweatband around your hairline to catch sweat before it drenches your curls.
 
Wearing a sweatband during a workout
 
If it has sufficient length, you can also gather your hair loosely on top of your head using a soft silk scrunchie or a claw clip. This keeps your hair off your neck without creating creases or causing breakage from tight elastic bands. This styling method is often called "pineappling."
 
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See also:
 
Perms
 
Will humidity affect a perm?
 
Does outside humidity have any effect on how a perm takes?