I owe a lot of apologies to my hair. For starters, there was a time in secondary school when I used to always wear my hair in a tight, slicked-back ponytail. Second, for when I was in high school and dyed my hair a variety of colours, including red. I'd also like to apologise for the bleaching that occurred in an attempt to remove the red from my hair.
I was embarrassed to admit that I was swiftly falling in love with the bouncy-yet-loose curls that were all over my Instagram page, given my hair's tragic background. Because I knew that getting a perm would be the only way to have the same texture on my perfectly straight hair. Yes, it's a perm.
Based on photographs of perms from the 1980s, I was frightened of being changed into a poodle. But I also desired loose curls (i was so fed up of having completely flat hair with no volume). So I decided to add yet another potential horror storey to my hair history by getting a perm.
But before I went under the curlers, I asked a lot of questions and expressed my worries to both my stylist and my hairdresser (Emma at Loxx Hair Salon in Ibstock). who took care of each and every one of them for me. It also gave me peace of mind that I wouldn't look like I'd just stepped out of an 80s time machine.
YOUR PRE-PERM QUESTIONS:
Who should get a perm?
Someone with virgin hair, that is, hair that has never been dyed or chemically treated (although Dunning says single-processed colour is fine—so no bleach) is the best candidate for a perm. And, obviously, if your hair is already fairly straight, you'll get better results than if you try to perm hair that already has tight waves.
Of all, if you have slightly wavy, color-treated hair, you can still get a perm—you just won't get as dramatic results. This leads us to...
Do perms ruin your hair?
They don't ruin your hair, but they aren't exactly kind, either, because they use chemicals to change the natural state of your strands. This means they're not a good option for anyone with severely damaged hair: If your hair has been over-styled or over-processed to the point that it's chronically breaking, dry, and tangled, you should wait until it's healthier before perming it.
Also, if you've had balayage or highlights, let your stylist know that the perm may process unevenly because the lighter portions of your hair will be more damaged and porous.
What to know before committing to a perm:
It may seem self-evident, but keep in mind that you'll be working with a different hair texture thereafter, so you'll need to brush up on your knowledge so you're comfortable with it. To smooth and define your new waves, you'll probably need to use some lightweight curl creams or sea-salt sprays. I found that my regular shampoo and conditioner were too drying for my new, slightly frizzy waves, so I had to switch to smoothing and moisturising products.
Before you make an appointment, take a peek at your calendar. Brushing, tying it up tightly, or washing your hair should all be avoided for the first 48 hours after your perm. There will be no sweaty gym workouts, showers, or hair ties or clips. You don't want to mess with the curl pattern while it's still setting.
Finally, keep in mind that a perm isn't free. Although prices vary greatly depending on where you live, how long your hair is, the sort of perm you receive, and the salon you go to, a traditional perm costs roughly £170 on average, but can range from £70 to £300. So, before you schedule an appointment, call your salon ahead of time to confirm the price.
How should I prepare for my perm appointment?
Surprisingly, it's by not washing your hair. It's a good idea not to wash your hair for 24 hours since you don't want to disturb the natural oils on your scalp, which act as a protective barrier.
It's also crucial to do your homework ahead of time. Examine various textures to get a sense of what you want and don't want. Starting by searching those Instagram "perm" hashtags and saving them to your hair board is always the best way to go.
Also, be open and honest about your daily hair routine and how much time you want to devote to it since this will help your stylist better understand how to treat your hair.
What‘s the difference between a regular perm and a New Wave perm?
A basic, standard perm, like the one I got, uses microscopic perm rods to tighten and uniformly curl your hair. The New Wave perm, on the other hand, employs squishy foam rollers rather than perm rods to create a homogeneous wave pattern. A lot of it comes down to technique: some stylists wrap hair looser and more relaxed, resulting in a less curled and springy end.
THE ACTUAL PERM PROCESS:
How long does a perm usually take?
It truly depends on the length and density of your hair, as well as how curled you want it. In general, aim to give yourself at least two and a half hours for your appointment. So, if you have short hair and only want a tiny wave, it will take considerably less time than if you want ringlets in your shoulder-length hair. My perm took around two hours because I have shoulder-length hair and desired beachy waves.
What happens during the perm process?
To be honest, there was a lot of sitting! Emma started wrapping my hair after shampooing it. She rolled little portions of hair around bendy perm rods of various thicknesses (it helps make your waves look more natural).
She then poured the perm solution all over my head (don't worry, my hairline and eyes were protected) and let it sit and process for approximately 30 minutes, using a ketchup-bottle-looking container. Note: If you want a tighter curl, have your stylist process your hair for even longer.
Emma rinsed my hair with lukewarm water, waited five minutes, applied a neutralizer, and rinsed again after five minutes (see? It's not the gentlest method). She diffused my hair after tenderly removing the rods and... officially left me with the hair of my dreams.
My straight hair was left with waves that looked like I spent the entire day playing in the surf, and she truly nailed the beachy texture I was after (or navigating a curling iron). And, to be honest, the whole thing was a lot easier than I thought a perm to be. Just be warned it's a smelly process.
THE PERM AFTERMATH
How do you take care of your perm?
Quite simply. I was free to wash and style my hair as I pleased after the first 72 hours. Getting used to a completely new washing and styling routine was difficult at first, but after a few weeks, it became second nature.
Perm-Friendly Products
I now shampoo and condition my hair every three days, avoiding all sulfate-containing products because they dry out your hair and destroy your curls/waves. I use an old cotton T-shirt to gently press out the moisture after washing my hair, then scrunch in a couple handfuls of hydrating, wave-enhancing mousse.
If I have the time, I'll air-dry my hair. Otherwise, I turn it over my head and use a diffuser to blow-dry it in portions. I scrunch a defining cream into my waves after my hair is dry and wavy to help them keep their shape. In between washes, I use dry shampoo on my roots and spritz a little water on my hair to revive the waves, then pour extra cream through the ends for definition. I also try to deep-condition my hair once a week to keep it hydrated, especially since perms can be harsh on your hair.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS:
Would I get a perm again? I would without a doubt. Getting a perm has simplified not only my morning hair routine now that I have a style to work with, but it's also gotten me all the compliments from my friends and coworkers, and it makes me appear like I've just returned from the beach even if I've been sitting in my apartment all day. I'm not sure what else to call it if that isn't magic.
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