Hair trends go in and out of style, and it can be frustrating to try to keep up with whatever the latest craze is. Do you have long, straight hair? Looks like the next best thing is short, textured cuts. Are you a natural brunette? Platinum blonde is back in.
While over-doing hair treatments is never a good idea, as it tires out, dries out, and breaks the strands, if you’re going to switch things up it’s best to go into the process knowing something about it.
Perms are often the butt of jokes these days, but they do come back around once in a while as far as fashion. Perm is actually short for “permanent wave,” and it was a popular look in the ’30s and ’80s.
One thing we want to point out straight off the bat is that if you’re considering getting a perm done, don’t do it yourself – this isn’t like at-home hair coloring. Perms involve chemical solutions that can be harmful and irritating to the skin, so it’s important that you have a professional do the perm for you.
Luckily many hair salons are knowledgeable in this area and have reasonable prices. Shop around for a company that has the right price and experience, or ask your usual stylist if she/he feels comfortable doing one.
What does a perm do to the hair?
The hint is in its longer name: permanent wave.
Perms give hair body and texture, and if you don’t naturally have curls, getting a perm is a great option. The outcome will last six months, and can’t be chemically reversed or wash out. So if you’re considering getting one, make sure you’re ready to live with the results!
What is the process like?
The whole thing takes about two hours. The solution used is determined by the person’s hair type. Coarse, strong hair can be treated with the classic alkaline perm. The initial solution breaks the structural bonds of your hair. After discussing with your stylist what kind of curls you’re looking for (see below!) they’ll use rods to set the curls in.
The style relaxes after about twenty-four hours, so don’t expect the immediate result to stick around. It will all settle a bit later.
Types of perms:
Body – this style is all about volume, and is a great option for women with naturally straight and flat hair. It produces gentle, loose curls and is best suited for longer hair.
Root – a root perm is probably one of the most recognizable. As indicated by the name, the roots of the hair are curled, resulting in a great lift. This is definitely a throw-back look, as it’s a bit of a retro style, but it’s great for any length of hair – especially short!
Spiral – if you’re looking for classic “ringlets,” this is the perm for you. It’s best suited for long hair and creates tight corkscrews. Make sure you discuss the size of the rod being used with your stylist as exactly how tight the curls are will vary place to place.
Pin Curl – the name really gives the process away here. Instead of rods, this perm uses pins and curlers. Unfortunately the results don’t last as long as with other perms, but it’s ideal for medium to short hair and creates tight curls that can be varied by size.
Is perming right for me?
If you’re looking for those glorious curls and considering getting a perm, keep in mind that the process can be damaging to your hair and sometimes skin as well.
It’s about as bad for your hair as frequent coloring is, and if you have chemically lightened hair, you might want to skip this style. The solutions used for perms can react badly with bleach or lightener and cause noticeable breakage.
If your hair is constantly dry and damaged a perm will only make this worse, as it strips down the natural oils in your hair.
In the end it’s your choice whether or not this process is the best for you; on the upside, it does create long-lasting, beautiful curls, and there are so many options! Make sure you discuss the process with your stylist before jumping in, and good luck!