Do Perms damage your hair?

Yes. But this is usually considered desirable damage. Perms are used to add curl and body to straight hair types. The hair is wrapped around perm rods, broken down chemically, and then chemically reassembled. The result is a curly pattern to the individual hairs and an increase in volume and body. Perm damage can cause the hair to be brittle, and dull. The damage can often be minimized by conditioners and reconstructors.