Wave perms have recently come back in style, and are here to stay. Thankfully for anyone who wants wavy hair, technology has advanced enough that perms can be done without risking hair or scalp damage.
Of course, the results vary depending on the person.
A teen, who wanted a wavy perm for a school social, walked into my salon just the other day.
Of course, she had some questions first: are perming solutions safe? Could they damage her hair or scalp?
My initial response was a resounding no. Perming solutions are safe.
But they should be used with caution. And no one has a magic ball to tell you exactly how a perm will turn out.
While you might be thinking that I’m a walking contradiction, let me assure you that’s not the case.
Hair perming solutions are completely safe, so long as a qualified stylist chooses a solution that’s appropriate for your hair and applies it correctly. .[/ su_highlight]
After working in salons for years, I’ve seen everything, and can only offer guarantees for my own work.
- In other words, if you choose to do a perm at home without the necessary training, yes, the solutions can damage your hair.
- And if your hair is already damaged or unhealthy, the solution may damage it even more.
Don’t kid yourself, perming solutions contain chemicals strong enough to alter the structure of your hair.
And perming hair that’s been dyed is a different treatment entirely, as it’s already over-processed.
Here we’re going to learn:
- High-quality products that can perm your hair without causing damage
- How to perm your hair while minimizing the risks
- And infallible proof that you can perm your hair without risking damage[/ su_list]
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High-quality products that can perm your hair without causing damage
Back in cosmetology school, the perming class was nearly two months long.
We studied theory and practice, theory and practice, over and over again. Since then, I've taken countless courses to learn the latest trends and new techniques. Clearly, this isn't a simple procedure.
Perms are one of the most complex services a stylist can offer, which is why I recommend you think carefully before doing a perm at home, as perming solutions aren't easy to apply.
That being said, it is possible if you're careful, -or better yet, have a friend who knows a thing or two about hairdressing. If you're determined to do a perm yourself, keep reading to learn about the safest perming solutions.
The first solution is from the L'Oreal line, a well known and trusted brand. It's highly recommended for natural, virgin hair that hasn't been dyed.
Dulcia perming solution by L'Óreal
This formula has cationic polymers that prevent your hair from losing excess moisture, leaving you with hydrated and frizz-free curls.
But what if you have very dry hair?
Personally, unless your hair is in excellent health, I don't recommend getting a perm.
That being said, there's plenty of brands that make perming products for all kinds of hair types.
If you still want to perm delicate hair, I would recommend this product.
Perming solution for delicate hair, Kin Cosmetics
This product contains a keratin derivative that provides extra protection while shaping your curls.
But remember, no matter what type of hair you have, perming treatments tend to remove moisture and leave your hair drier than before.
Logically, dyed hair will never go back to the same condition as virgin hair.[/ su_highlight]
Hair dyes contain chemicals, such as hydrogen peroxide, that remove your hair's natural moisture.
You can imagine what would happen if you applied perm solution to already dyed hair.
You could end up with severely dry and damaged hair. Extreme dryness makes hair susceptible to damage, just like extremely dry weather makes a forest susceptible to a raging forest fire.
To prevent dry, damaged curls, I recommend this perming solution.
Perming solution for dyed hair by Goldwell Topform
It's extremely important to choose the right type of perming solution for your hair.
Everyone has a unique hair texture and condition, and therefore individual needs that must be addressed.
In my salon, I normally determine which type of solution is best for each client after a thorough consultation.
But since that's not possible, let's go over some general guidelines.
One way to avoid damaging your hair is to make sure it's thoroughly saturated in perming solution while doing the perm.
Coarse hair has a denser structure, and may not become completely saturated with just one application. Therefore, the solution should be reapplied slowly and repeatedly until the hair looks damp and stays wet.
If you discover that perming your hair is harder than you expected, don't say I didn't warn you.
Perms are one of the most complex procedures in hairstyling.
They require skill, time, and patience to be done without inflicting damage.
But it's not the perming solutions that are dangerous. The danger lies when the wrong solutions are chosen and improperly used.
Now let's learn about other ways to minimize the risk of damage when doing a perm.
How to minimize risk when getting a perm
Whether you do your perm at home -which I don't recommend- or get it done at a salon, you need to do the same steps to keep your hair as healthy as possible.
- Always rinse your hair with a gentle stream of warm water, never with hot water or a high-pressure stream.
- Make sure that you're not applying pressure to the rods while rising, as it can cause breakage.
- Always start rinsing where you first applied the perm solution, or in delicate areas such as your temples, and double-check the rods near the and nape of your neck to make sure they are thoroughly rinsed.
- Not only that, but never leave the solution on for more time than recommended by the manufacturer.
- Finally, it's very important to gently dry your with a dry towel, as firm or aggressive drying can disrupt the curl pattern and alter their shape.
Don't you wish you could know if the perming solution could damage your hair before applying it?
Well, you can!
Keep reading to find out how.
An infallible way to know if a perm will damage your hair
No matter what hair treatment you're considering, the strand test is virtually infallible.
Even in more common processes such as a color, I always recommend doing a strand test, because it helps determine how your hair will react.
This test makes it possible to see how the curls will turn out, as well as if the solution will damage your hair or hurt your scalp.[/ su_highlight]
I especially recommend a strand test for damaged, dry, or dyed hair.
Perms are a complex combination of chemical formulas, and how they turn out is greatly influenced by who applies them and the current health of your hair.
When all the factors are in balance, the result is a great perm and the curls you want.
But if you don't respect some basic boundaries, that complex combination can go haywire... leaving you with severely damaged hair.
Now that you know that perming solutions are completely safe -when used correctly- what are you planning to do with your hair?
