A perm, also known as a permanent wave, is a chemical process used to make your hair curly or wavy. Your stylist uses special chemicals that alter the structure of your hair and helps you catch the perfect wave. 
Even though it?s called permanent, the results typically last three to six months. If you want your perm to last longer, you need to take good care of it. Since permed hair requires a lot of upkeep to stay fabulous, women often have a lot of questions after the treatment. 
One such question is: what happens when you wash your hair after a perm" The answer is, it depends. Generally speaking, you should be fine if you wait at least 48 hours to wash your hair after getting a perm. 
However, if you do it before 48 hours, then it can cause some problems. In this article, we?ll discuss everything you need to know about washing your hair after a perm.  What Happens If I Wash My Hair Within 48 Hours of Getting a Perm"
Even though the chemicals have done most of their work by the time they were washed away by your stylist, it still takes 40 to 50 hours for your curls to lock completely. If you wash your hair within the first 48 hours of getting a perm, your curls may fall apart or come out uneven. 
What?s more, the chemicals used during the process can dry out your strands and damage your hair. And washing too soon can make things worse because shampoos can also strip the moisture out of your hair. 
That?s why stylists recommend you to wait at least 48 hours...