Quick answer: The safest fix for a bad perm is time and deep conditioning. Perms loosen naturally over 4-8 weeks as you wash and condition regularly. If you can’t wait, washing the hair several times immediately after the perm (within the first 48-72 hours) can loosen the curl significantly. Avoid the temptation to chemically relax or re-perm right away. Stacking two chemical processes back-to-back causes severe breakage. Below are 6 fixes ranked from least damaging to most, with honest timelines for each.
What Causes a Bad Perm
Last updated: June 14, 2026
Before fixing the problem, understanding what went wrong helps you avoid it next time.
| Problem | Most Likely Cause |
|---|---|
| Curls are too tight | Rods were too small, processing time was too long, or solution was too strong for your hair type |
| Curls are uneven (tight in some spots, loose in others) | Rods were wrapped unevenly, solution wasn’t applied evenly, or different sections had different porosity |
| Hair is frizzy instead of curly | Hair was already damaged before the perm, or the neutralizer wasn’t applied properly |
| Hair feels like straw | Over-processing broke too many disulfide bonds, leaving the hair structurally weakened |
| Curls fell out within days | Under-processing (not enough time or too weak a solution), or hair was washed too soon after |
| Scalp burns or irritation | Solution was too strong, left on too long, or scalp wasn’t protected before application |
The 6 Fixes (Ranked from Least to Most Damaging)
Fix 1: Wait It Out (Zero Damage)
Timeline: 4-8 weeks for noticeable loosening
Perms always loosen over time. The curls you see on day one are the tightest they’ll ever be. With each wash, some of the reformed disulfide bonds relax, the curl loosens, and the style softens.
What to do:
- Wash hair every 2-3 days (more frequent washing speeds loosening)
- Deep condition weekly (moisture helps relax the curl)
- Avoid curl-enhancing products that reinforce the pattern
- Sleep on a satin pillowcase to reduce friction frizz
Realistic expectation: By week 4, most perms have loosened 1-2 curl sizes (what started as tight ringlets will become loose spirals). By month 3, the perm is significantly softer.
Fix 2: Wash Repeatedly Right After the Perm (Low Damage)
Timeline: Immediate
If you got the perm today or yesterday, washing multiple times can partially reverse it. Here’s why: perm stylists tell you to wait 48 hours before washing because the disulfide bonds are still settling. If you wash before they fully set, you disrupt the bond reformation and the curl loosens or partially drops.
What to do:
- Wash with a regular shampoo (not sulfate-free, you want stronger cleansing here)
- Apply a heavy conditioner and leave it on for 15-20 minutes
- Rinse and repeat the entire process 2-3 times
- Let hair air-dry to see the result
Realistic expectation: This can loosen the curl by 1-2 sizes. It won’t make a tight perm go wavy, but it can take a too-tight result into a more comfortable range.
Warning: This only works within the first 48-72 hours. After that window, the bonds are fully set and washing won’t reverse them.
Fix 3: Deep Condition Aggressively (Very Low Damage)
Timeline: 1-3 weeks for visible softening
Heavy moisture treatments weigh the curl down and relax the pattern. This doesn’t chemically undo the perm; it physically stretches and softens the curls through weight and conditioning.
What to do:
- Apply a thick deep conditioner (or a DIY mix of conditioner + olive oil + honey)
- Cover with a shower cap and sit under a hooded dryer or warm towel for 30-45 minutes
- Rinse with cool water
- Repeat every 3-4 days
Realistic expectation: Softens the curl and reduces frizz significantly. Won’t eliminate the perm, but makes the texture much more manageable and natural-looking.
Fix 4: Blow-Dry and Flat Iron (Moderate Damage)
Timeline: Immediate, temporary
You can blow-dry and flat iron permed hair straight. The heat temporarily breaks the hydrogen bonds that reinforce the perm’s disulfide bond pattern. The perm curl comes back after the next wash, so this is a day-by-day fix, not permanent.
What to do:
- Apply heat protectant to damp hair
- Blow-dry on medium heat with a paddle brush, pulling hair straight
- Flat iron on 300-350°F (keep the temperature moderate; permed hair is already chemically compromised)
- Apply an anti-frizz serum to the finished style
Realistic expectation: Straight, smooth hair for 1-3 days until the next wash. The perm pattern returns when hair gets wet.
Risk: Repeated heat styling on chemically treated hair compounds damage. If you’re flat ironing daily, you’re layering heat damage on top of chemical damage. Limit this to occasional use.
Fix 5: Get a Perm Correction at the Salon (Moderate-High Damage)
Timeline: 2-4 weeks after the original perm
A perm correction is a professional service where a stylist partially or fully reverses the perm using either a relaxing solution or a very mild re-perm with larger rods.
What to do:
- Wait at least 2 weeks after the original perm (doing this sooner causes severe breakage)
- Go to an experienced stylist, preferably not the one who did the original perm
- Explain exactly what you want: looser curls, partial straightening, or full reversal
- The stylist will assess your hair’s condition and determine what it can handle
Cost: $75-200 depending on the salon and the extent of correction needed
Realistic expectation: A skilled stylist can adjust the curl pattern significantly. Results depend heavily on the current condition of the hair. If the hair is already damaged from over-processing, a correction may not be possible without risking breakage.
Fix 6: Chemical Relaxer (High Damage, Last Resort)
Timeline: Wait at least 4-6 weeks after the original perm
Applying a chemical relaxer to permed hair breaks the perm’s disulfide bonds and reforms them in a straighter position. This is the nuclear option. It works, but it stacks two aggressive chemical processes on the same hair.
What to do:
- Wait the full 4-6 weeks minimum
- Deep condition intensively during the waiting period to strengthen the hair
- Go to a professional (do not attempt this at home)
- Use a mild-strength relaxer on the shortest possible processing time
- Follow with immediate deep conditioning and protein treatment
Risk: This combination (perm + relaxer within months) frequently causes severe breakage. The hair may snap off at the weakest points, especially the mid-shaft where both chemicals overlapped. A professional can minimize this risk but cannot eliminate it.
How Long Does a Bad Perm Take to Grow Out?
If you decide to just grow it out:
| Hair Length | Time to Fully Grow Out |
|---|---|
| Pixie/very short | 4-6 months |
| Bob/chin length | 8-14 months |
| Shoulder length | 12-18 months |
| Long (past shoulders) | 18-24+ months |
You can speed the visible transition by getting regular trims that gradually remove the permed ends. Every 6-8 weeks, trim 0.5-1 inch. This reduces the contrast between your natural roots and the permed lengths.
Perm Recovery Routine
While waiting for the perm to loosen or grow out, this routine minimizes damage and keeps hair healthy:
Weekly:
- Wash with a moisturizing (not clarifying) shampoo
- Deep condition for 20-30 minutes under a cap
- Apply a protein treatment every 2 weeks (permed hair loses protein integrity)
Daily:
- Light leave-in conditioner or anti-frizz serum on ends
- No heat styling (or minimal, with protectant)
- Satin pillowcase or bonnet at night
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I fix a perm that’s too curly? A: The safest approach is washing frequently and deep conditioning weekly for 4-8 weeks. The curl will loosen naturally. For faster results within the first 48 hours, wash 2-3 times with regular shampoo and heavy conditioner. Avoid chemical correction for at least 2 weeks.
Q: Can I relax my hair after a perm? A: Technically yes, but wait at least 4-6 weeks and have it done professionally. The combination of perm + relaxer is very damaging and frequently causes breakage. Deep condition intensively during the waiting period.
Q: Will my perm go away on its own? A: Perms don’t fully disappear, but they loosen significantly over 2-6 months. The curl becomes softer and less defined with every wash. Most people find the perm at 3 months looks very different from the perm at 3 days.
Q: How do I prevent a bad perm next time? A: Communicate clearly with your stylist about the curl size you want. Ask to see the rods they’ll use. Request a patch test if your hair has any chemical history. And choose a stylist who regularly does perms on your hair type.
A bad perm feels like a crisis, but it’s almost always fixable with patience. Start with the gentlest fix and escalate only if needed. Time and conditioning solve most bad perms without additional chemical risk.
For more on how chemical treatments affect curl pattern, see our curl recovery after straightening guide.