So you just left the salon, and your stylist gave you a whole care routine for your perm. You know not to wash it for the next few days, but what should you do before going to sleep?
If you have a feeling you’ll wake up to frizz if you go to sleep as-is, you’re right. Read on to see what you should do.
How to Sleep With Your Permed Hair, According to Hair Expert
Your perm is most fragile in the first 48 hours. The goal is simple: protect the curl pattern while it settles, then switch to habits that keep frizz and breakage low long term.
- First 48 hours: Keep hair fully loose in a satin bonnet or on a silk/satin pillowcase. Avoid ties, clips, headbands, pins, sunglasses, and tucking behind ears.
- After 48 hours: You can start pineappling, loose braids, or a soft high bun. Keep everything gentle to avoid dents.
- If you wake up with a dent: Use shower steam or a light mist, then scrunch to reset the shape.
How to Sleep With a Perm
There are a few things you can do while sleeping to boost your curls, or at least not ruin your perm when you first get home. Having a perm is not like having straight hair, so try these tips.
How to Sleep With Permed Hair in the First 48 Hours
Caring for your hair during the first 48 hours is a little different from the steps you’ll take after that time period:
- Don’t sleep directly on cotton. Use a satin sleep bonnet, silk scarf, or silk/satin pillowcase to protect your hair from friction. Cotton can rough up the cuticle, pull moisture from chemically treated hair, and leave you with frizz and tangles.
- Keep your hair completely loose. For the first 48 hours, avoid anything that can leave a crease: hair ties, scrunchies, clips, headbands, pins, sunglasses, and even tucking hair behind your ears. Your curl pattern is still settling, and dents can set in.
- Try sleeping on your stomach or side. If you sleep on your back, more of your hair is pressed flat against the pillow, which can distort the curl shape.
- Use a satin bonnet or silk scarf wrap. A bonnet is the safest option during the first 48 hours because it protects curls without compressing or bending them.
How to Sleep With Permed Hair After 48 Hours
If you pineapple your hair after 48 hours, your curls can look extra bouncy in the morning. Keep using a silk/satin pillowcase long term to reduce frizz and breakage. Here are a few other tips:
- Pineapple your hair (after 48 hours). Gather your hair loosely at the crown and secure it with a soft, loose scrunchie or coil. If your hair dents easily, skip the tie and use a bonnet instead. Wrap with a silk scarf if you want extra hold without friction.
- Braid your hair at night. If you braid your hair before bed, you’ll wake up with softer, more uniform curls. Keep braids loose so you don’t create sharp bends.
- Use a leave-in conditioner. Before you braid, use a leave-in conditioner to keep curls hydrated for the next day. Spray leave-ins work well for quick application. You can also lightly rake a curl cream through your hair. Apply to dry hair or lightly misted hair, not soaking wet hair.
- Try a loose high bun. A high bun is similar to a pineapple, but the ends are tucked. Keep it loose and high to protect curl shape. A bonnet still helps reduce friction while you sleep.
Sleeping With a Perm: Do’s and Don’ts
Any questions about sleeping and waking up with a perm? Check out our do’s and don’ts list below:
- Don’t wash your hair at night. Sleeping on wet, permed hair can cause tangles, flat spots, and odd curl shapes.
- Do make sure your hair is fully dry before bedtime. If you wash in the afternoon, squeeze out water with a microfiber towel, then let it air-dry in a ventilated room.
- Don’t brush before bed. Brushing dry curls can create frizz and break up the curl clumps. Instead, gently finger-detangle.
- Do scrunch your curls in the morning. If your curls look a bit flat, scrunch to revive shape and bounce.
- Do use steam or a light mist to reset dents. If you wake up with a crease, don’t panic. Let shower steam puff the curls back up, or mist lightly with water or a leave-in conditioner, then scrunch and let it dry.
- Do plop your hair in the morning. Spray your hair with water or a leave-in conditioner so it’s slightly damp. Using a T-shirt, hold your head upside down and lay your hair in it accordion-style. Wrap it and leave it on for 10–15 minutes. When you release your hair, your curls should look more defined and full.
- Do stick with silk/satin long term. Even after the first 48 hours, silk or satin reduces friction and helps preserve curls while minimizing frizz and breakage.
And that’s it. It’s not as difficult as it looks. A few small changes can help you protect perm curls at night and wake up with defined, healthy-looking hair.
More Perm Topics:
- How Much Will a Perm Cost You?
- Can Permed Hair Be Bleached?
- Can You Get Rid of a Bad Perm Without Cutting It?