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Best Perm For African American Hair (2024 Update)

Choosing the best perm for African American hair can seem like a daunting task. With so many perm kit options on the market, how do you know which one is right for your hair type and texture? Before making a decision, there are a few key factors you should consider.

First, examine your hair’s current texture and curl pattern. Do you have tightly coiled 4C hair or looser 3C curls? The existing curl pattern will impact how your hair takes to the perm. You’ll also want to assess your hair’s overall health and condition. Chemically treated or damaged hair may not hold a perm as well.

When researching perm kits, look for ones formulated specifically for use on African American hair. These contain active ingredients and alkalinity levels designed to work with your texture. Avoid generic perms which may be too harsh. The perm lotion itself matters too – opt for conditioning, moisturizing formulas containing oils or humectants.

You’ll also need to decide between a full, tight perm or a loose, wavy style. Consider how much curl you want and your desired result. Do you want major definition and shrinkage or just to add shape and flow? Your stylist can guide you on the perm rods and technique needed to achieve your perfect perm.

Some key questions to ask yourself are: What is my hair’s current texture and curl pattern? Is my hair healthy enough for chemical processing? Do I want tight spiral curls or soft waves? What perm kit ingredients nourish while processing? By considering these factors, you can select the ideal perm for your African American tresses.

20 Best Perm For African American Hair (20 Sellers)

1. Ogilvie Salon Styles Professional Perm For Color Treated Thin Or Delicated Hair

Product Details:

Specifications:

Weight 8 oz
Dimensions 2.5" x 3.7" x 5.8"

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2. Ogilvie Precisely Right Conditioning Perm, For Normal Or Hard-To-Wave Hair

Product Details:

Specifications:

Dimensions 2.5" x 3.7" x 5.8"
Product Form Cream
Scent Scented
Suitable Hair Types All
Gender Women

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3. Ogilvie Precisely Right Professional Conditioning Perm – 1 Application

Product Details:

Specifications:

Product Type Perm kit
Container Type Box
Suitable Hair Type All
Scent Scented
Product Weight 0.3875 lb

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4. Ogilvie Home Perm Kit, Color-Treated Thin Or Delicate Hair

Product Details:

Specifications:

Container Type Box
Scented Yes
Suitable Hair Types All
Color Protection Yes

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5. Ogilvie Home Perm, The Original

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Specifications:

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6. Ogilvie Home Perm Extra Body 1

Product Details:

Specifications:

Package Dimensions ‏ ‎ 7.4 x 6.2 x 3.7 inches; 4.2 Pounds
Package Dimensions ‎7.4 x 6.2 x 3.7 inches; 4.2 Pounds

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7. Zotos Warm & Gentle Perm For Normal Hair

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Reviews:

Nice bouncy curl without damaging the hairTonya S.
I use this perm when I want a firm spiral curl. The pain is having to sit under a hot dryer.

8. Ogilvie Home Perm, Extra Body

Product Details:

Specifications:

Units in Package 1
Directions Read enclosed instructions carefully before using this product. Follow these easy steps to get the results you want. For Soft Body & Waves – We recommend large benders or rods on longer & medium-length hair. About 20-30 large benders or rods (7/16 inch or 9/16 inch). (Use a few smaller benders or rods where your hair is shorter for more curls in these areas.) For Medium Wave & Curl – We recommend medium benders or rods on medium & shorter hair. About 20-30 medium benders or rods (5/16 inch). (Use a few smaller benders or rods where your hair is shorter for more curls in these areas.) For Mostly Curls – We recommend small benders or rods on medium & shorter hair. Use about 20-30 small benders or rods (1/4 inch). (Use a few smaller benders or rods where your hair is shorter for more curls in these areas.) Note: Perm rods are sold separately and sizes may vary according to manufacturer.
Ingredients B4 Pre-Perm Conditioner: Water, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-12 Distearate, Stearalkonium Chloride, Quaternium-18, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyquaternium-6, PPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether, Fragrance, Methylchloroisothiazolinone (and) Methylisothiazolinone. Step 1 – Curling Lotion: Water, Ammonium Thioglycolate, Ammonium Hydroxide, Mineral Oil, Potassium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen, Potassium Oleate, Lanolin, Glycol, Lanolin Oil, Laureth-23. Step 2 – Instant Creme Neutralizer: Water, Hydrogen Peroxide, Quaternium-52, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Ceteth-20, Methylparaben, Fragrance, Disodium Phosphate, Phosphoric Acid. Post-Perm Conditioner: Purified Water, Propylene Glycol, VP/VA Copolymer, Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Hair Keratin, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Cocoyl Collagen Amino Acids, Cocoyl Sarcosine, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Sorbitol, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Sulphur, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Extract, Melissa Officinalis Extract, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Polysorbate 20, PEG/PPG-20/6 Dimethicone, Polyquaternium-4, Fragrance, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate.
Warnings Keep out of reach of children. May be harmful if swallowed. If ingested, immediately drink several glasses of water to dilute the material. Contact physician or Poison Control Center immediately. Do not induce vomiting. Do not wear contact lenses while using this product. Avoid getting Curling Lotion in eyes or skin. If contact with the eyes or skin occurs, immediately flush area with large amount of cool water for at least 15 minutes. If irritation develops, stop use of product and consult a physician.

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9. One N Only Exothermic Perm Kit

Product Details:

Specifications:

Suitable Hair Types Normal, tinted, resistant hair
Perm Type Exothermic
Purpose Curl enhancing
Gender Women

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10. Ogilvie Precisely Right Perm: For Color-Treated Thin Or Delicate Hair

Product Details:

Specifications:

Is Discontinued By Manufacturer No
Package Dimensions 6.9 x 4.5 x 2.9 inches; 11.22 Ounces

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11. Johnson Products Gentletreatment Relaxer, No-Lye Conditioning Creme, Gray

Product Details:

Specifications:

Units in Package 1
Ingredients No-Lye Conditioning Creme Relaxer: Water (Aqua), Petrolatum, Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Stearyl Alcohol, Calcium Hydroxide, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-75 Lanolin, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-6, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Fragrance (Parfum), Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Quaternium-18 Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Formic Acid, BHT, Tocopherol. No-Lye Liquid Activator: Water (Aqua), Guanidine Carbonate, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitol, Denatonium Benzoate. Neutralizing Shampoo: Water (Aqua), Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Polysorbate 20, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Citric Acid, Cocamide DEA, Lauramide DEA, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Fragrance (Parfum), Polyquaternium-7, Methylparaben, Diazolidinyl Urea, Tetrasodium EDTA, Propylparaben, FD&C Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Sodium Chloride, Ammonium Xylene Sulfonate, Sodium Hydroxide. Leave In Conditioner & Setting Styling Lotion: Water (Aqua), Polyquaternium-7, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Oleth-20, Propylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance (Parfum), Tetrasodium EDTA, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Silk Amino Acids, FD&C Red 40 (CI 16035), Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Rosa Damascene Extract, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Extract, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide. Yellow-Out: Water (Aqua), Stearalkonium Chloride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydrogen Peroxide, Ceteareth-20, Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-22, Pentasodium Pentetate, Phosphoric Acid.
Warnings Follow directions carefully to avoid skin and scalp burns, hair breakage, or eye injury. Do not use if scalp is irritated or injured. Do not apply to scalp. Do not use on bleached hair or hair that has been permed with ammonium thioglycolate (curl perm) or ammonium bisulfite. Do not use on permanently colored hair or hair which is breaking, splitting, or otherwise damaged. If hair has been previously relaxed, apply only to new growth as described in the directions. If relaxer causes skin or scalp irritation, rinse out immediately, and wash with the shampoo in the kit. If irritation persists or if hair breakage occurs, consult a physician. If relaxer gets into eyes, rinse immediately, and consult a physician. Hair is flammable. Contains alkali. Avoid contact with eyes. Can cause blindness. Keep out of reach of children.

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12. Ors Olive Oil Hair Relaxer, No-Lye, New Growth, Built-In Protection, Normal

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13. One 'n Only Exothermic Perm With Argan Oil For Firm Curls, Self-Heating Formula For Client Comfort, Ensures Shine And Manageability, Eliminates Perm

Product Details:

Specifications:

Product Dimensions 1.8 x 4.5 x 5.8 inches; 10.55 Ounces

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14. Hawaiian Silky No Base Relaxer 20oz Mild

Product Details:

Specifications:

Container Type Jar
Recommended Age Group Adult
Suitable Hair Types Color-treated
Weight 20 oz

Reviews:

Got the wrong product. Needed NO BASE instead.Sandra S.
Great product better than others.irflygirl

15. Zotos Quantum Extra Body Acid Perm, Normal/tinted Hair

Product Details:

Specifications:

Package Weight 4.8 oz
Dimensions 1" x 1" x 1"

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16. Hawaiian Silky No Lye Relaxer 20oz Super

Product Details:

Specifications:

Weight 20 oz
Container Type Jar
Suitable Hair Types All
Recommended Age Group Adult
Gender Unisex

Reviews:

Got the wrong product. Needed NO BASE instead.Sandra S.
Great product better than others.irflygirl

17. Zotos Design Freedom Regular Alkaline Perm For Normal Hair – 1 Application

Product Details:

Specifications:

Product Type Perm
Perm Type Alkaline
Area of Application Scalp
Purpose Curl enhancer
Suitable Hair Types Normal

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18. Zotos Texture Efx Normal & Resistant Perm

Product Details:

Specifications:

Reviews:

I love the texture this perm gives. It doesn't have to look real curly but it still uimproves the style and hold
I love this perm. It turns out so soft and not fuzzy. Its the only per I use. The smell isn't that bad either.

19. Quantum Ultra Firm Exothermic Perm

Product Details:

Specifications:

Oil-Free Yes
Alcohol-Free Yes
Product Dimensions 5.8" x 4.4" x 1.8"
Weight 4 oz
Recommended Age Group Adult

Reviews:

20. Quantum Extra Body Acid Perm

Product Details:

Specifications:

Assembled Product Weight 0.63 lbs
Hair Type Wavy, Curly

Reviews:

I’ve cut my perms down to three . Two of them are Quantum EB and FO . Great perms.Patricia O.
Great product! Results were amazing.Israel G.
Good for people with color treated hair or someone that just wants a softer curl.Jane G.

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