How to Take Care of Digital Perm Hair Daily
POSTED ON July 14, 2025
Digital perm hair looks beautiful when it’s cared for the right way. Those soft, bouncy waves can bring out your style, if you’ve gone for a short, face-framing cut or a Korean-inspired medium length. But without the proper routine, digital perms can quickly turn dry, frizzy, or lose their shape, especially in Singapore’s hot and humid weather.
This guide is here to make things simple. You’ll learn how to take care of digital perm hair to keep it soft, defined, and easy to manage every day. From washing and styling to bedtime care and frizz control, we’ve got you covered with clear tips that work. Your curls deserve care that keeps them looking their best.
What Is Digital Perm Hair and Why Is It Popular?
A digital perm is a salon treatment that uses heat and digital rods to create soft curls or waves in your hair. The name comes from the use of a machine with temperature settings that helps reshape your hair in a gentle but lasting way.
Digital perms are very popular in Korean-style hair trends. They work great for people who want a soft, natural look without having to curl their hair every day. These perms last for months and are perfect for short to medium hair lengths. They’re also a great choice for people with round or chubby faces, as the soft waves help shape and frame the face nicely.
How to Maintain a Digital Perm: Tips for Long-Lasting Curls
Maintaining a digital perm involves more than just washing and styling. To keep your curls looking fresh, it’s important to follow the right care routine. If you’re still deciding between perm types, check out our detailed comparison of Digital Perm vs Cold Perm to know which one suits your lifestyle best. Here are the best tips to make your curls stay soft, shiny, and healthy every day.
1. Give Your Hair Time to Set After the Perm
Right after getting a digital perm, your hair is still adjusting to the new shape. That’s why the first two days are super important. During this time, don’t wash your hair or tie it up. Also, try not to wear hats, tuck your hair behind your ears, or use clips. Any pulling or bending can affect how the curls hold. Let your hair rest so the waves can set properly and last longer.
2. Wash Less Often and Use Moisturising Products
Washing too often can dry out your curls and remove the natural oils. Digital perm hair already gets dry faster, so it needs more moisture.
Follow this routine:
- Wash 2 to 3 times a week using mild, sulfate-free shampoo
- Use a rich conditioner every time you wash
- Apply deep conditioner or a hair mask once a week
- Rinse with cool water to help lock in moisture
This will help prevent your hair from turning dry or frizzy, especially in Singapore’s humid weather.
3. Dry Your Hair Gently Without Frizz
When your hair is wet, it’s at its weakest. Drying it roughly can ruin the curls or make them frizzy. After washing, gently squeeze out extra water using a microfiber towel or a soft cotton T-shirt. Don’t rub or twist the hair. Let your hair air-dry if possible. If you need to use a hairdryer, always use a diffuser on low heat. This protects your curls and helps them dry in shape without flying all over the place.
4. Use Light Styling Products and Avoid Brushing
Styling digital perm hair is easy once you find the right products. Use curl creams, styling mousse, or leave-in conditioners made for wavy or curly hair. Apply them when your hair is damp, not dry. Gently scrunch the hair with your hands to bring out the curls. Avoid brushing or combing dry hair; this will break the curls and make them puffy. Instead, use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb when your hair is still wet.
5. Protect Your Curls While You Sleep
At night, your curls can get crushed, messy, or dry. To protect your hairstyle, sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase. These materials are soft and smooth so that they won’t rub against your hair. You can also tie your hair into a loose bun using a soft scrunchie or wrap it with a silk scarf. This helps your curls keep their shape and stay smooth by morning.
6. Get Regular Trims to Keep Curls in Shape
Even though the waves from a digital perm short hair last a long time, your hair still needs trimming to look healthy. Over time, the ends can get dry or split. This makes the curls lose their bounce and shape. Try to trim your hair every 6 to 8 weeks. Ask your stylist to cut in a way that supports the curl pattern. Soft layers work well for short and medium digital perm styles.
7. Reduce Frizz in Humid Weather Like Singapore
Frizz is common in hot and humid weather, but you can keep it under control with proper products or consider our Professional Anti-Frizz Treatment for long-lasting smoothness.
Ways to reduce frizz:
- Use leave-in conditioner to keep hair moisturised
- Apply a light curl cream or serum before going outside
- Avoid touching your hair too much
- Seal your curls with a few drops of hair oil to block out moisture in the air
Keeping your curls smooth takes a few seconds, but it makes a big difference.
8. Let Your Curls Settle Naturally
Right after a digital perm, your hair might look a little different from what you expected, and that’s okay. Some curls may look loose, uneven, or even a bit flat at first. This is completely normal. It can take a couple of weeks for your new curls to settle into their natural shape.
During this time, don’t panic or rush to fix them. Focus on keeping your hair soft and healthy. If your curls feel dry, try a rich conditioner or consider a nourishing Hair Treatment to restore softness and elasticity.. If they feel heavy or flat, switch to a lighter styling cream. Give your hair time to adjust and stay consistent with your routine. With a little patience, your curls will start to look more defined, balanced, and beautiful on their own.
Easy Tips to Maintain a Digital Perm Every Day
Keeping your digital perm looking nice isn’t hard. You just need to follow a few daily habits:
- Don’t overwash, 2 or 3 times a week is enough
- Always condition and deep condition once a week
- Use curl cream or mousse made for wavy hair
- Avoid heat tools unless needed
- Let your curls air dry whenever possible
- Trim every 6–8 weeks to avoid split ends
- Sleep with your hair protected at night
Following these steps can help your curls last longer, stay soft, and look beautiful.
Conclusion
Caring for digital perm hair is all about small, consistent steps. You don’t need a complicated routine, just the proper habits and products that suit your curls. From gentle washing to styling and night-time care, every little action helps when you know how to take care of digital perm hair.
Whether your perm is short, medium, or layered, taking the time to nourish and protect your curls will keep them soft, defined, and full of life. Even in Singapore’s humid weather, your waves can stay fresh and easy to manage with expert care according to your needs, available at our hair salon in Orchard and Hair salon in Pasir Ris.
FAQs
1. What shampoo and conditioner should I use?
Use a sulfate-free shampoo and a moisturising conditioner. These are gentle on your curls and help your hair stay soft and healthy. Look for labels that say “moisture,” “hydrating,” or “curl care.”
2. Can I brush or comb my digital perm hair?
You should never brush your curls when they’re dry. This can break the curl pattern and cause frizz. Instead, use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb while your hair is still wet and has conditioner in it. That way, it’s easier to untangle without hurting the curls.
3. How do I style my digital perm without heat?
You don’t need curling irons or straighteners. After washing, use curl cream, mousse, or leave-in conditioner on damp hair. Scrunch your curls gently and let them air-dry. This keeps the curls soft and in shape.
4. Can I colour my hair after a digital perm?
It’s best to wait at least 2 to 4 weeks before colouring your hair. Doing both treatments too close together can damage your hair. Always ask your stylist for advice before adding colour to permed hair.
5. Is a digital perm suitable for all hair types?
Digital perms work best on healthy, medium to thick hair. If your hair is very fine or already damaged, it might not hold the curls well or could get too dry. A stylist can check your hair to see if it’s a good match.