Can Muslim men get a perm or hair relaxer?
Usually yes. Islam has no rule about hair texture, so a perm, relaxer or keratin smoothing treatment is generally allowed for Muslim men. The conditions are simple: keep the style clearly masculine for your culture, make sure the chemicals are safe, and check that water can still reach your scalp for ghusl.
Hair texture isn't regulated
The Prophet's ﷺ own hair was neither fully straight nor fully curly. Anas said it was "wavy, neither curly nor straight" (Sahih al-Bukhari 5906). The Companions came from many backgrounds and had every kind of hair. Nothing in the Quran or authentic hadith forbids changing hair from straight to curly or the other way around.
Islam actually encourages looking after your hair. The Prophet ﷺ said: "He who has hair should honour it" (Sunan Abi Dawud 4163). Scholars understand this as washing, combing and keeping it neat. See Can Muslim men have long hair?
Conditions to keep in mind
- Don't imitate women. The Prophet ﷺ cursed men who imitate women (Sahih al-Bukhari 5885). The concern is about styles your culture clearly sees as feminine, not about curls or straight hair themselves.
- Avoid part-shaved styles. Perms are sometimes combined with shaved sides. The Prophet ﷺ forbade shaving part of the head and leaving the rest (qaza').
- Choose safe products. Some relaxers are harsh and can burn the scalp, and some keratin treatments have been reported to release formaldehyde fumes. The Prophet ﷺ ruled that "there should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm" (Sunan Ibn Majah 2340). Ask the salon exactly what they use, and do a patch test.
Wudu and ghusl after a treatment
A perm or relaxer changes the hair itself and doesn't leave a waterproof layer, so wiping your head in wudu is still valid. The same goes for prayer. For ghusl, water must reach the scalp and roots. If a thick product or a hardened coating is still sitting on your scalp, rinse it out first. See Can I make wudu with hair dye or henna?
Natural hair is fine too
You never have to change your hair to be a good Muslim. Natural curls, coils and waves are completely fine, and so are ordinary short cuts. If you do choose a treatment, choose it for comfort or style, not because of pressure.
If you go to a salon, many scholars advise a male stylist for a man where possible. See Can a female barber cut a Muslim man's hair?
- Perms, relaxers and keratin treatments are generally allowed for men.
- Keep the style masculine for your culture and avoid part-shaved looks.
- Choose safe products and patch-test first.
- Wudu is valid after treatment; rinse out any coating before ghusl.
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