Hair perms seemed to be a thing of the past in the 80’s and 90’s, but now perms are back with a vengeance. Now it’s all about curls and the creativity in displaying those perms seems to never stop. Hair perms can provide a lot of body for normally limp and straight hair.

Is a perm right for you? There are several things to consider before making that choice so read on. Scissor Wizard Hair Design stylists can discuss your desires with you and give you solid advice and helpful direction before you decide for sure.

A perm is achieved by applying a chemical treatment to your hair that will alter the structure and permanently wave or curl your hair. Don’t be fooled by the word “permanent.” A permanent will usually last about 6 months depending on the care you give your hair at home. Since chemicals are involved there is a chance that a hair perm can damage your hair especially if it is already dry or damaged from other hair care products. Be sure to let your hair stylist know what products you use regularly. It is possible that perming your hair is not a good idea for you or may need to be delayed until any damage is corrected.

Here are some things to consider before making your decision:

– Hair with highlights – If you have highlights this should be a red light warning before getting a hair perm, especially if you have lots of highlights. The chemicals in the perm treatment often do not mix well with the bleach or lighteners used in highlighting your hair. This often results in hair breakage.

– Dry hair – The chemical treatment used in hair perms often dries out the hair shafts. As mentioned above, if you have dry hair now it is advisable to wait until you have corrected the issue. Consult with one of our stylists before scheduling a perm with dry hair damage.

– Short layered hair – Perming short hair can be tricky, but done by an experienced stylist like a Scissor Wizard stylist professional will produce an amazing hairstyle. The perm rods used need to be sized correctly for your length of hair. Too small of a rod will result in too much curl and too large of a rod will result in no or little curl.

– Hair with highlights – Having a hair perm done on hair with highlights can be difficult. Do you use a single process color or semi-permanent color? If you do it will probably be safe to have a perm. If not your hair may be damaged. It is best to have a professional determine whether the risk is justified. It is of utmost importance to inform your stylist of all of the highlighting products that have been used for the past few years.

What should you do if you want to both perm and color your hair? Applying color or highlights to your hair should be done after a hair perm. Doing a perm after coloring may cause the color or highlights to fade from the chemicals used in the perm. You should wait 2-3 weeks to allow for the perm to fully set before coloring or highlighting.

The final recommended step is to have a pigmented shine treatment applied after the perm is complete. This will help re-hydrate your hair leaving you with shiny, glistening curls.

Now that your hair perm is complete how should you care for it at home? To prevent losing some of the curl, wait at least 48 hours before washing your hair. Use professional grade products, such as Paul Mitchell Hair Care Products, that will not damage or degrade the perm and will keep your hair hydrated. As mentioned previously, a perm tends to dry the hair out so using the correct hair care products is important.

In conclusion let us reiterate the importance of having a consultation before doing a hair perm. The cost of your perm will depend on the type of perm wrap needed and the length and thickness of your hair. Your stylist may be able to do a test perm on a single strand of hair to demonstrate the resulting curl to expect. Consider having a trim performed also on the day of your perm. This will give your hair a nice fresh, clean look.

So what exactly is the process of perming your hair?

Firstly, your hair is washed thoroughly to clean your hair and allow the perm agents to enter your hair shafts.

Secondly, a perming agent is applied to your hair. The type of agent will differ depending on the kind of perm you are getting. The perming agent loosens the bonds in your hair.

Thirdly, your hair is tightly wrapped around curling rods to cause them to curl up. The time this takes will depend on the thickness and texture of your hair.

After the curling rods are removed a neutralizer is applied to your hair. Once again, the thickness and texture of your hair will determine the amount of time needed for this step.

Finally, the neutralizer is washed out and your hair is styled. You will be told not to apply heat or wash your hair for at least 48 hours.  If you are anticipating a formal night out, prom dance, a special date night or your wedding day, plan ahead by allowing a minimum of 5-6 days before hand to have your perm completed.

Many  hairstyles look best with hair that has been permed. The extra curls and body added from the perm gives the style extra volume and impact. Depending on the type of hairstyle you desire your stylist may suggest a full-body wave perm, a spiral perm or a pin-curl perm to mention a few.

We at Scissor Wizard Hair Design would love to have you schedule a consultation with one of our stylists. Give us a call or stop by today! 330-477-6763