African American Hairstyles: The Color and Perm Combination

Many women with African American hairstyles utilize both relaxing perms and color to achieve the hairstyle they want. While too many chemical processes can be damaging to the hair, they can coincide as long as it's done in the right order. When using both perms and colors always perm or relax your hair first. The chemicals in perms cause the hair's outer layer, called the cuticle, to open. The process of opening up the cuticle of the hair will release any color that's been deposited, which will have half of your new color rinsing down the drain. That is why those with African American hairstyles should perm first, wait approximately a week, then proceed with coloring your hair.