People have been trying to turn straight hair into waves and curls for thousands of years. A permanent wave is a process that creates a curl in the hair shaft by altering its chemical structure. Perming hair is a good way to add body and curls to straight hair. It also requires a bit of extra care.
Perms work best on hair that is not colored. Also, the thicker your hair, the better the perm will take. Very fine hair is the worst hair to perm. It needs the minimum amount of perming solution and processing time. Very straight, coarse hair is often resistant to perms.
Whether or not a perm will take depends on three factors:
1. the type of the hair
2. its past history of chemical treatments and
3. the skill of the stylist
You should never perm your own hair as this is a delicate job. If you do you run the risk of losing hair or damaging your hair shaft. In expert hands, perming can create wonderful effects. Stylist will need one to two hours to perm your hair. Perm lasts between 2-6 months.
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Different Types of Hair Perms
- Acid perms create highly conditioned, flexible curls. Acid perms have a mildly acidic action that minimizes the risk of hair damage. They are ideally suited to hair that is fine, sensitive, fragile, damaged, or tinted.
- Alkaline perm gives strong, firm curl results on normal and resistant hair.
- Exothermic perms give bouncy, resilient curls. Exothermic refers to the heat that is produced by the chemical reaction that occurs when the lotion is mixed.
- Body perms are very soft, loose perms. The result is added volume with a hint of wave rather than curls.
- Root perms add lift and volume to the root area only.
- Pain curl perms give soft, natural waves and curls.
- Stack perms give curl and volume to one-length hair cuts.
- Spiral perms create romantic spiral curls. The hair is rolled vertically rather than horizontally.
- Spot perms give support only on the area to which they are applied.
- Weave perms involve perming certain sections of hair and leaving the rest straight.
How to Perm Hair
1. The hair is washed by clarifying shampoo;
2. The hair is tightly wound around a curler or a rod;
3. The perm lotion is applied to the hair;
4. After a while the perm lotion is thoroughly rinsed;
5. A neutralising lotion is applied;
6. A failure to rinse and neutralise properly can lead to many problems.
7. The hair should not be washed for two to three days.
8. Cut your hair after you perm.
9. If your perm does not take you should wait a while before getting a new one.
10. Because permed hair can be dry, avoid over-use of irons, hot combs, and high-speed blow dryers.
11. Use hair care and styling products that are specifically recommended for permed hair.
12. Wait one week to color your permed hair.
13. If the curls have dropped, use curl boosters and cut down on washings.
14. Avoid bleaching permed hair.
Your perm won't take
There are several reasons that can make this happen:
• Age
• Medications
• Pregnancy
• Hormonal activity
• Illness
• Some people have hair that just will not perm
Caring for Permed Hair
- Don't wash your hair 24 - 72 hours after getting your perm. This is crucial if you want the perm to last for months.
- Touch-ups should only be done when necessary. Redo only the most unruly sections of your hair.
- Use products made for permed hair. Use conditioners to deeply moisturize. Select alcohol-free styling products.
- Scrunch hair every day to enhance your new style.
- Comb your hair, using a wide-toothed comb.
- Avoid blow-drying your hair.
- Style with added caution.
