What must be done after a chemical perm to ensure hair health?

After a chemical perm, rinsing the hair thoroughly and using a neutralizing shampoo is crucial for ensuring hair health. This process removes any remaining perm solution, which can contain strong chemicals that alter the structure of the hair. The neutralizing shampoo helps to stop the chemical processing and restore the hair's pH balance after the perming treatment.

This step is essential because failing to completely rinse out the perm solution can lead to further hair damage, such as breakage or over-processing. The neutralizing shampoo not only contributes to the stabilization of the curls but also prepares the hair for subsequent conditioning treatments and helps maintain the integrity of the hair's health post-chemical treatment.

While using a deep conditioning treatment is beneficial after a perm, it should be done after the neutralization process. Blow drying immediately could further stress the hair and exacerbate damage, while cutting the hair may not address the immediate needs of hair health after the chemical treatment and is not necessary in all cases.