Is a body wave damaging?

Generally speaking, a body wave is milder than a regular curly perm and less likely to damage your hair.

The rule when both coloring and perming your hair is: you must never perm a color, you always color a perm. What this simply means is that you must always do your color after your perm. If it`s a protein color (also known as color glazes), your best to do it the same day as your perm, when the cuticle layers of your hair are more open from the perming process. This way the color will penetrate deeper into the hair shaft. If it`s a semi or demi-permanent color they may also be done the same day, depending on the condition of your hair. However, for all permanent color, you should allow 10 days to pass after your perm. Check with your regular stylist (they know your hair) for their recommendations.

Permed hair has special needs. For the best results after your perm, you usually wait 48 - 72 hours before shampooing or conditioning your hair. Shampoo gently with a shampoo specially created for permed hair. Aggressive shampoos or scrubbing can cause early relaxation. Condition the hair with conditioners specially made for permed hair. Permed hair has varying porosity - ordinary conditioners may over or under condition hair. Carefully blot hair dry. Don`t brush hair when wet. Comb with a wide-tooth comb, working tangles out as you move from the ends toward the scalp. Use extreme care when styling. When using styling appliances, use a thermal protectant for maximum protection. Avoid aggressive manipulation of the hair. You should get your hair trimmed or shaped every 5-6 weeks to remove any dry ends. Regular trimming will extend the life of your perm and make it easier for you to style. Your stylist can answer any other questions you might have and recommend professional products ideal for permed hair.

Hope this helps and good luck! :)