Can You Bleach Permed Hair?

By Leah Williams •  Updated: 08/27/22

Brief Answer: It’s not a good idea to bleach permed hair. It is wise to at least wait for one or two months before doing so. Also, bleaching can only be done if your hair passed the strand test. 

We all know perms will never go out of style! Also, they’re the most memorable hairstyle of the ’80s. And yes, contrary to 1980s perms, modern perms have a softer and gentler texture than tight corkscrew curls.

For some gals, the total transformation means curly locks and blonde hair afterwards. If you’ve already had your hair permed, I am pretty sure you’ve been bugged by the question… can you bleach permed hair?

You better get the answer right to avoid killing your hair! Let’s take a look to see what’s happening to your hair when you perm and bleach it at the same time.

What happens if you perm bleached hair?

Perming bleached hair is not dangerous, but it is not recommended. The reason for this is that your hair has already been chemically treated and another layer of treatment is just asking for trouble!

Multiple chemical processes can alter the hair structure, resulting in cuticle breakage, split ends, and frizzy hair.

There are, however, perming formulas that are designed for dyed or bleached hair. While these perming solutions are milder than others, they are also more expensive. 

You should consult a professional hairstylist before perming bleached or colored hair and be aware of the potential damage it may cause.

It is also possible to perm hair at home. However, you should wait at least 2-3 weeks between bleaching or coloring and perming.

Can you perm, then bleach your hair?

You may not realize how harmful perms can be. Perms can result in beautiful, luscious curls but can compromise your hair fiber.

During a perm, the inner and outer structure of your hair is destroyed, and they are rebuilt in your new curl pattern.

There is a lot of damage done to the hair during the bleaching process. Perming should only be done if the hair is in a healthy condition.

Your hair is no longer suitable for a perm after bleaching at least for a while.

Final Say

For your hair’s health, you shouldn’t bleach permed hair. The treatment is going to be more aggressive on your chemically treated hair. It is best to wait for a month or so before doing any other treatment on your hair.

Perming and bleaching hair is generally safe. However, it’s not recommended to do it at the same time even if your hair is in a healthy condition. If you really want to style your hair, go for natural options such as the use of hair rollers!

If you’re planning to perm your hair and are searching for the best products for permed hair, read this article to see our top recommendations!

Leah Williams

Leah Williams is the founder of Lucky Curl and has been in the hair care and styling industry for the last 15 years. Since then, she has developed incredible expertise and a deep understanding of how to treat and style the most difficult hair types and is passionate about sharing her knowledge with the readers of Lucky Curl.

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