People who already have curly, wavy or otherwise naturally textured hair are not going to be good candidates for perms. Exchanging once permanent curl for another, unfortunately, isn't what perms were designed for. They also probably aren't right for a perm if they have already had one or have had their hair relaxed.
The process of perming itself can be very dry, so if you've had any recent chemical treatments, excessive heat styling, or even stayed out in the sun a little too long, it's probably best to avoid getting a perm. No. 2. How elastic is your hair? Hair that lacks elasticity. is usually more prone to damage.
Similarly, if your hair is already very dry or breakage prone because of frequent heat-styling, a dry climate, your genetics, or even illness, this may not be the best time to think about perming your hair. The best time to have a perm—rather, when the perm is most successful—is when you have healthy hair.
Hair Type – Generally, perms work best on hair that is not overly coarse or resistant to chemical treatments. Hair that is naturally straight or slightly wavy (1A to 2A) is ideal for the perm process. Length – Shorter hair can be permed, but longer hair holds curls and texture better.
1.1 Understand Your Hair Type and Condition
Your hair's texture and condition have a big impact on the result of your perm. There's some characteristics per hair types you want to keep in mind. Aiming for a little bit more wavy or tighter curls than what you desire. Best for adding layers or texture to get more volume.
The most natural-looking perm is the beach wave perm which creates loose waves throughout the hair.
As we step into 2025, the world of hairstyling is witnessing a resurgence of perms, with modern twists that cater to diverse hair types and personal styles. At Charles Ifergan Salons, our expert stylists are embracing this trend, offering a variety of perm styles designed to enhance texture, volume, and individuality.
Luckily, there are ways to get bouncy curls, soft waves, or gorgeous waves without causing any harm. If you've been wanting a head full of gorgeous curls without the damage, using rag curlers, foam curlers, a curling iron, or scrunching your hair could be the perfect options for you.
Perms work by permanently waving your hair through shape memory. Though the name suggests these waves will last forever, they're temporary. Perms can damage your hair over time. If you don't take care of your scalp health, you could get hair loss.
Keeping your permed hair safe overnight might be the most difficult task yet. Regular cotton pillowcases can cause friction that damages your hair. Sleep on a satin pillowcase instead to give your hair the freedom to move without damage. You could tie your hair up in a loose bun, braids, or do the plop method.
when hair is damaged and neglected, the hair bonds are generally broken. thus, hair will not have the elasticity and resilience to undergo digital (heat) perm. more often than not, the curls will turn out to be “lifeless” or even “fried”.
Ideally your hair should be shoulder-length or longer for a perm to look its best, but you can perm hair that's up to 2 inches long - this is the minimum hair length for a perm, because it's just long enough to be wrapped around a perming rod.
Don't wash your hair for 48-72 hours after a perm . During that time your perm is still technically forming and can be ruined or relax if you decide to wash it within that time frame. Don't comb thru your hair during the first 48 hours. Leave it alone as much as possible.
Tip 1 - Bleached/Pre Lightened hair cannot be permed
Thus before each color, always be sure to ask your stylist what goes into your hair. Inform your stylist that you intend to perm your hair in the near future, thus your hair cannot be bleached or pre lightened.
Don't use products that contain parabens, sulphates, or alcohol as these can ruin your perm.
Avoid Heat Styling: Minimize the use of heat styling tools before perming to prevent additional stress on your hair. Prepare Your Hair: Use a clarifying shampoo a few days before the perm to remove any residue, but avoid heavy styling products right before the treatment.
Pin curl perm
This type of perm doesn't use harsh chemicals—but this also reduces how long the style lasts. Pin curl perms typically last about 3-6 months.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Perm
Your face shape will also come into play when selecting a perm style – oval faces look great with body waves while heart-shaped faces suit loose curls best.
Perms for short hair can cost $30 to $150, medium-length hair can cost $60 to $200, and perms for long hair can cost $80 to $400. Short hair is the least expensive since it uses the least amount of product and the least amount of time to prep and install the perm rods.
The Negatives of a Hair Perm
For one, hair perms require incredibly strong chemicals to alter the hair's natural shape and texture, and these chemicals can cause long-lasting damage to the hair strand that can progressively weaken and degrade the hair strand with frequent treatments.
Basic Perms offer versatile curl patterns, while Spiral Perms deliver more distinctive ringlet curls. Lifestyle and Maintenance Requirements: Spiral Perms may require more attention and maintenance than Basic Perms. Reflect on your daily routine, lifestyle, and desire for upkeep when making a choice.
Spiral perm
Creates tight, corkscrew curls using long vertical rods. The hair is wound around the rods from scalp to tip, creating a spiral pattern. This style usually takes 2-3 hours to complete and can last 4-6 months. Spiral perms work best on longer hair and create a dramatic, voluminous look.