Need some curls for that straight limp hair? A hair perm might be the answer for you!
Getting your hair permed involves the use of chemicals to break and reform the bonds of your hair. The hair is washed and wrapped on a perm rod and waving lotion is applied with a base. This solution creates a chemical reaction that softens the inner structure of the hair by breaking some of the cross links within and between the protein chains of your hair. The hair swells, stretches and softens, then molds around the shape of the perm rod.
After a length of time, the hair is rinsed and a neutralizer is applied. It is the neutralizing solution that reforms the bonds of the hair and sets the new curls. The neutralizer contains an oxidizing agent that is responsible for closing up the broken links and producing the wave or curl permanently.
Hair perms can be done with acidic or alkaline hair perming solutions. Alkaline wave hair perm works best for resistant hair and hair with low elasticity. This type of perm is also usually used for normal healthy hair. Acidic wave hair perms produce highly conditioned, flexible curls and is milder than the alkaline ones.
Different hair perm rods will help you get different looks. The choice of perm rods depends on the kind of perm that is sought. Straight or cylindrical perm rods are usually used for wrapping hair that has to be wave permed. A smaller perm rod ensures a tighter hair perm. You can achieve a body wave look with a larger perm rod, however it can create weak curls. Hair in good condition takes a perm much better than hair in poor condition and fine hair curls more easily than coarse hair.
The spiral perm is done with vertical perm rods and is usually done on longer hair. Spiral perm hairstyles look like twisted corkscrews. The spiral perm technique allows for good penetration through long hair that is 6 inches or more. The trend nowadays is more towards natural curls that fall gently down your shoulders but there are some women who prefer the springy curls of a spiral perm. Your perm hairstyle must be chosen to suit your face shape. If you have a long face, the perm must be worked to ensure volume on the side but never on the top.
Your hairstyle also plays a role in determining the kind of hair perm you need. Some perms work well with hair in one length while others are designed to work with layered hairstyles. Spot perm involves only one area of the hair. A stack perm is ideal if you want curls at the end of long hair.
Typically a hair perm takes about 2 hours. It takes about another day for the perm to fully settle and its impact to be completely felt. A hair perm usually lasts about three to four months. To prepare your hair for a perm, use a rich protein conditioning treatment after your regular shampoo. Colored hair must not be permed. Ideally coloring is done after a perm.
Modern hair perms also extend to volumizing, perming for volume and not for curls. This type of hair perm lasts about 6 weeks and is much cheaper than a complete hair perm. This works well for women who are experimenting with a new hairstyles.
Permed hair must be treated with care. Aggressive shampooing must be avoided as it can cause early relaxation and use conditioners specially created for permed hair. Permed hair has varying porosity and ordinary conditioners may over or under condition your hair. Carefully towel dry your hair after a wash. Avoid tangles as it can damage the hair perm. Use a diffuser when blow drying hair.
For more curly styles, continue to use the diffuser throughout the styling. For more relaxed styles, remove the diffuser and blow dry at finish. Make sure to ask your stylist any questions you might have before you commit to getting your perm.