If you want curly hair, you might consider asking your stylist for a perm. This adventurous style produces a voluminous look that brings vitality and fullness to your mane. The process involves applying chemicals to the hair to alter its texture and create waves or curls. Here’s what you should know about this popular style before heading to the hair salon.

4 Facts to Know Before Scheduling a Perm

1. Choose a Style

Unlike the perms of decades past, modern styles can be as subtle or as bold as you prefer. Hair salon professionals use a variety of tools, including standard perm rods, rollers, and fabrics, to achieve different types of coils ranging from tight spirals to loose beach waves. 

Showing your stylist pictures of the curls you desire will help them pick a technique that works for you. If you've never had a perm before, considering starting with looser curls to see if you like the style before committing to a bolder look.

2. Start With Healthy Hair

Experienced hair salon stylists recommend that the hair should be healthy before you schedule a perm. The process requires the use of numerous chemicals, including ammonium thioglycolate. This is a reducing agent designed to transform the shape of each strand. 

However, if your mane is already weakened due to prior chemical use or coloring damage, the perm won’t hold well. Postpone the treatment until the locks have fully recovered. Applying nourishing masks and conditioners in the meantime can speed up the healing process. 

3. Change Your Shampoo Routine

You’ll need to change some habits if you wash your hair every day or even every other day. To support the integrity of the new curls, avoid shampooing the hair for at least three days to prevent it from losing its texture and bounce. This will extend the longevity of the treatment.

Wait at least 28 hours or more to allow the perm to cure. During this time, keep the hair dry and avoid styling products.

4. Commit to Routine Care

After the style cures, use the right hair care products to treat the newly permed hair with the safe, nourishing, and gentle ingredients it needs. Protein is essential for providing health, vitality, and strength to permed hair. If the stands are thick, a lightweight oil promotes easier styling without weighing down the curls. 

Avoid rubbing the hair with a towel, as this could encourage tangling. Scrunch it while it air-dries, or wrap it in an old shirt so that the fabric soaks up the moisture without risking the perm’s integrity.

Beautiful curls begin with a reliable hair salon. At Prestige Salon in Trumbull, CT, your dream look is just a few steps away. These professionals offer a variety of services to ensure your satisfaction, including haircuts, coloring, highlights, and keratin smoothing treatments. They'll help you choose the best curling technique for your needs, and they'll provide helpful tips for maintaining luscious locks. Visit the website for more information, or call (203) 372-4116 to schedule an appointment.