How To Prep Your Hair For A Perm

When it comes to throwback hairstyles, perms are pretty much as iconic as it gets. Although we typically acquaintance the hairstyle with the '80s, perms have been around much longer than that, which is why the hair treatment is largely seen as, well, kinda outdated. Simply if you idea that perms were limited to merely i look (probably the i nosotros all motion-picture show when we hear the give-and-take "perm"), and then you were today years old when y'all learned that modern perms tin really create a ton of different styles.

You lot see, perms are chemical treatments that suspension the bonds of the hair to change its construction, leaving you with a new texture. Whether you want a wavy perm, a tighter, more-defined perm, or but a perm that'll give yous a little body and texture so you can cut back on heat-styling, there's a style out there for ya. Merely before you go buying that calm perm kit (please don't always practice that), you're gonna desire to read this guide first.

Is getting a perm a good thought?

If yous've done your research (you're here, and then that's a good first step), you're ready to make the commitment, and you're planning on going to a professional, and then yep, definitely. Just trying to give yourself a DIY hair perm? Not so much. I hate to be the party pooper, and I know there are a lot of things we tell you not to endeavour at domicile (similar highlighting your pilus or removing gel smooth), but this is really, really something that you shouldn't try yourself. With all the required technique and skill, the different sizes and kinds of perm rods and rollers, and the countless types of perming solutions (which, for the tape, are formulated with intense chemicals), there are only way too many factors for newbies to consider.

And honestly, perms are even challenging for some professional hairstylists to pull off. So if you've plant someone or a salon that specializes in a specific perm you're interested in, consider making the trip to ensure that it turns out the way y'all want (because, spoiler alert, perms aren't cheap). At the terminate of the day, it's definitely non worth sacrificing your hair to save a few bucks.

Are there dissimilar perm types?

Dorsum in the twenty-four hour period, perms were very one-size-fits-all, but today you've got all different types of perms with unlike processes to adjust your preferences—whether you want something soft and wavy, or more than defined and curly. The biggest and main difference betwixt nowadays-day perms vs. the classic perms of the past is the technique. The TL;DR: Modern perms are all nigh customization.

In general, the type of perm your stylist uses will exist adamant by their personal way and technique, and then it's best to exercise a little research to make certain you're on the same folio earlier your engagement. There are style also many types of perms to walk you lot through each one (just being honest!), but these are definitely a few of the most popular options:

Commencement, you've got your standard perm, which uses traditional, plastic perm rods to give your pilus a more defined curl. And then you've got your softer, looser perms to create more motility and texture if y'all're someone with apartment, fine, or bodiless hair. Some examples are the MareWave past Mare Salon in Los Angeles (which requires larger rods and dissimilar sectioning techniques to create more volume, texture, or body) and the digital perm (which involves rollers that attach to a motorcar to command the rut, giving the pilus a beachy texture).

Just perms aren't just for transforming straight hair into wavy or curly hair. If you already have curly or coily hair, you tin get a relaxer (sometimes called a perm, which softens the curlicue for a direct finish) or a curly perm (when the hair is still curly but you've altered the texture or the curl pattern). A couple examples of curly perms are the Wave Nouveau (which starts with a cream to first straighten the ringlet) and the GinaCurl by Hair's Talent (which doesn't require double-processing).

Are you exhausted all the same? Considering I am. The signal I'm trying to make is there are a million dissimilar perm types, techniques, and names, then don't but choose the first 1 that pops upwards. Practise your research and find the perm that'll work best for you and your desired stop results.

Do perms ruin your hair?

Can they? Admittedly. I hateful, the net is full of perm disasters for a reason—yous're working with chemicals that are powerful plenty to change the texture of your hair, which is why it'south and then important to run across a pro. An experienced professional person knows to have into consideration your hair type, texture, porosity, past treatments, color history—you lot get the idea. Information technology's a lot to keep up with, which is why, again, it's better left to the easily of a hairstylist.

According to Kiley Fitzgerald, hairstylist at Mare Salon who specializes in the MareWave, those with heavily highlighted hair (that includes bleached) or already damaged pilus should avoid perms. If yous try to perm hair that's already damaged, you're just going to impairment it more than, says Fitzgerald.

How long does a perm last?

More often than not, perms last anywhere from iv to six months, but fun fact: The give-and-take "perm" is actually brusk for "permanent." Considering you're actually changing the hair's texture, a perm doesn't but go away—yous have to grow information technology out. If your perm is much softer than the classic '80s perm, your hair will abound out nicely without existence too obvious. Otherwise, you'll probably want to become back for affect-ups around the half-dozen-calendar month mark if you desire to maintain your perm.

How much does a perm cost?

If I haven't drilled it into your head plenty, perms (especially the good ones) aren't easy. Considering of the difficulty level, you'll desire to make sure you go to someone who'due south very experienced in the technique, so set up to crush out some cash. Determined by the type and the salon, t he price of hair perms vary, but you tin expect to pay a base of operations rate, sometimes upward to a couple hundred dollars, plus more depending on the length and thickness of your hair.

How do I ready my pilus for a perm?

The number one well-nigh important step in preparing for a perm is to schedule a consultation with your stylist before the treatment to find out if you're even a adept candidate. If you're someone who colors their pilus, that's an of import consideration that needs to be brought up with your stylist earlier your perm. In one case it'due south been decided that a perm will work for you, Fitzgerald suggests strengthening your strands with workout treatments leading up to your appointment for the all-time results.

Olaplex Hair Perfector No 3 Repairing Treatment

Olaplex Hair Perfector No three Repairing Handling

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask

Davines Love Curlicue Hair Mask

Adwoa Beauty Baomint Deep Conditioning Treatment

What should you not do afterward a perm?

This likewise depends on the type of perm, but generally, you shouldn't wash your hair with shampoo for 2 to three days (nosotros've all seen Legally Blonde, correct?), and Fitzgerald likewise tells clients to avoid tight hair ties and hats earlier that first wash. Basically, y'all want to avoid doing anything that might alter the shape y'all've just worked so difficult (and paid so much) to become. After that first wash, you'll also desire to opt for air-drying over oestrus-styling with curling irons or straighteners as much every bit yous can to protect the curls.

How do I keep my perm curly?

Hope you didn't finish off that canteen of deep conditioner while prepping for your appointment, because you lot'll also want to utilise conditioning treatments at least one time a week to maintain the integrity of the perm. It's likewise a good thought to invest in a silk pillowcase, if you haven't already, or slumber with a hair bonnet to protect your strands from friction, tangles, and frizz while you lot toss and plough.

If you're new to curly hair, it'due south of import to note that curls aren't whatever easier to style than straighter strands, but if you love your new shape and texture, it'll be worth whatever actress time spent. The offset step is to trade out your regular formulas (especially the ones with sulfates) with wavy or curly hair products. Then, figure out how the heck to apply all those products (check out the Curly Girl method if y'all at present take annihilation between 2c to 4a curls) and experiment to detect an awarding technique that works best for your new look.

The final discussion

If you're looking for a relatively piece of cake fashion to effort out a new hair texture, you should definitely consider going for a perm. Just retrieve: You can't DIY your perm (no exceptions!) and yous'll want to volume a consultation with a professional person to brand certain you're an platonic candidate. That said, there are so many types of perms bachelor today that you lot're basically guaranteed to find a style y'all beloved.

Brooke Shunatona Brooke Shunatona is a contributing writer for Cosmopolitan.com.