"Over-bleached hair, highlighted hair, over-colored hair, and porous hair types should not get a perm," says James, "as the hair will disintegrate."
Perm weakens the hair dramatically, and makes the effects of other harmful elements such as dye and heat 10x greater. The weakening of the hair follicles then leads to split ends. Perm also destroys the volume of your hair, making it thin. Perming your hair over time causes your hair to fall out.
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.
Hair Type: Some hair types, particularly very coarse, thick, or resistant hair, may not hold a perm well. Fine or overly processed hair can also struggle to maintain curls.
Consider Your Hair Type
Different hair types react to perms differently, impacting the potential for damage. Most perms work best on healthy hair, but you can perm most hair types as long as the hair is not compromised too much from bleaching and previous chemical treatments.
The most natural-looking perm is the beach wave perm which creates loose waves throughout the hair.
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.
Perm Results Can Be Unpredictable
You might end up with a different curl pattern than you expected or hair that is too curly or not curly enough. This unpredictability can lead to dissatisfaction with the results and make you regret getting the perm in the first place.
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.
“Perming doesn't get taught to hairstylists like it did in the 80s, so the technique has kind of died out a bit,” says Hersheson. “It's really important that the person you go to understands perms. You also need someone who will tell you not to have it done if your hair isn't in the right condition.
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.
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.
"Over-bleached hair, highlighted hair, over-colored hair, and porous hair types should not get a perm," says James, "as the hair will disintegrate." While frizz can be smoothed with product, it can also be a sign of serious breakage caused by frayed cuticles.
In most cases, hair loss from a perm is not permanent. With proper care and treatment, the hair can regrow and regain its strength over time. Post-chemical treatments, the hair loss is usually due to breakages in mid shaft, as cuticle is weakened.
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.
Perms can damage your hair over time. If you don't take care of your scalp health, you could get hair loss. Scalp health is important because once a hair follicle gets damaged, you can't grow new hair from that follicle. It's important to get perms only from a trusted salon.
Chemical Type
The acidic perm solution, also known as a hot perm, is ideal for thin, damaged, and delicate hair. It produces more natural-looking curls. An alkaline one, known as a cold perm, is ideal for coarse and textured hair.
For most people, perm curls fall out within three to six months, reverting to your normal hair texture.
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 best on healthy, strong hair which hasn't been bleached, dyed, or chemically-treated. If you're concerned your hair may be too damaged to perm, speak to your stylist - they'll be able to give you the best advice.
All-Natural Perms are better for you, your hair and the environment, since they are void of toxic and harmful chemicals and toxins. Caring for the environment while caring for your hair will leave you feeling great and looking just as stunning with your Natural Perm look.
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.
How do I know if a perm will look good on me? You can consult a stylist to get an idea of what kind of perm will work best for your hair type and face shape. Always take along a photo of the kind of curl you most like. Photos speak a thousand words!