Planning to get a perm? You're not alone—lots of people love the look of perm-curled hair.

But once you've got that perfect perm, how do you take care of it? Can you wet your hair after a perm, or should you let it air dry for a bit first? Let's find out.

The First few Days are the Most Important

For the first few days after getting your perm, it's important that you don't wet your hair.

This is because, during this time, the perm solution is still working to break down the disulfide bonds in your hair.

If you wet your hair during this time, you could disrupt the process and end up with an imperfect perm. So, for the first few days, stick to dry shampoo and let your hair air dry.

After the First Few Days, You Can Wet Your Hair—But Be Careful!

Once the perm solution has done its job and your new curl pattern is set, you can wet your hair without worry.

However, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First of all,perm-curled hair is more fragile than regular hair, so be extra careful when brushing it or stylizing it.

Secondly, avoid using sulfate-based shampoos or conditioners, as these can strip away the natural oils that help protect your curls.

Finally, be sure to use a leave-in conditioner or curl-defining cream to help keep your curls looking their best.

So, can you wet your hair after a perm?

Yes—but only after the first few days, and with some care.

Be gentle with your perm-curled hair, and use only products that are safe for color-treated or permed hair.

With a little TLC, you'll have no problem keeping your perm looking amazing.