When it comes to perms, the train of thought is that they make your hair curly. That’s it, and that’s all. But did you know that various types of perms are available to produce different kinds of results?
It’s critical to learn about the different types of perms out there so that you can pick which one suits you and your hair type best. It’s crucial to care for your hair in between hair treatments to avoid dryness and breakage.
Key Highlights
- Neutralizer is applied while hair is still on the rods. Rods come out after neutralizing.
- Straight perms (thermal reconditioning) are permanent on treated hair. Only roots need retouching every 4 to 6 months.
- Spiral perms need a careful formula match. Weakened or color-treated hair usually needs a gentler, acid-balanced option.
- Ask your stylist if they are trained in the exact perm style you choose.
Perm Types
Here are the most popular types of perms that give you full and luscious locks!
#1. Spiral Perm
- Best for: Medium to long hair that can handle tight, defined curls.
- Solution note: In general, acid-balanced formulas are gentler for fine, color-treated, or fragile hair. Stronger alkaline formulas are often used for coarse or resistant hair.
Spiral perms are different from regular perms. This type of perm is well known for giving those gorgeous, tight spiral curls all over.
Warning
- If your hair is weakened or damaged, this perm can raise the risk of breakage.
- Expect your hair to look shorter after curling. It may look 30% to 50% shorter.
- If your hair is color-treated, ask your stylist about an acid-balanced perm solution.
The curls start from the scalp to the ends of the hair strands. Additionally, if you want a unique look, you can ask the hairdresser to put perm rods of all sizes in your hair for extra spice if you don’t want your curls so uniform.
Since the stylist will curl your hair very tightly, you will want to have at least around eight to ten inches of length before getting this perm treatment.
Aside from that, this type of perm should last you almost six months. With time, you’ll see your curls starting to relax a little, and you’ll have to get some good quality hair care products to keep your hair from getting frizzy and dry in between perm treatments.
#2. Body Wave Perm
- Best for: Straight hair that does not hold curls well, and anyone who wants soft waves and volume.
- Solution note: In general, acid-balanced formulas are gentler for fine or damaged hair. Stronger alkaline formulas are often used for coarse or resistant hair.
Body waves are a fan favorite!
You get instant volume and dreamy beach waves without the curl of strict definition. You’ll notice that the stylist uses perm rods that are much larger than the ones they would use for spiral perm services.
This type of perm results in a more natural look. So if you have hair that’s naturally straight and doesn’t hold curls very well, this is a good choice for you to add some texture to your hair.
It also prevents your blowouts from getting flattened a short while after you’ve finished blow-drying your hair. The body wave perm will last you between three and five months.
My Advice and Notes
- Do a patch test and a strand test before you perm your whole head.
- Ask what formula they are using. Alkaline is stronger, and acid-balanced is gentler.
- All perms need care. Use a moisturizing conditioner, and add a hair-strengthening treatment if your hair feels weak.
- Limit heat tools. Too much heat can loosen the curl.
- For safety tips, see AAD guide.
#3. Spot Perm
- Best for: Adding curls or waves to one area, blending uneven texture, or boosting shape in selected sections.
- Solution note: In general, acid-balanced formulas are gentler for fine or fragile hair. Stronger alkaline formulas are often used for coarse or resistant hair.
A partial perm, also known as a spot perm, only includes applying a chemical treatment to bring curls or waves on a particular area of your head instead of all over.
This type of perm might seem a little strange upon first hearing about it, but it’s a great way to incorporate more curly volume in sections of your hair that could be thinning. Sometimes you may find that some people’s hair is curlier or wavy on only one side of their head.
The outcome is usually very natural-looking, and the only thing you have to watch out for is the touch-ups. You have to come back more frequently for spot perms.
#4. Root Perm
- Best for: Flat roots that need lift, especially on straight or fine hair.
- Solution note: Ask for a formula that matches your hair condition. In general, acid-balanced formulas are gentler for fine or fragile hair, while stronger alkaline formulas are often used for coarse or resistant hair.
The root perm is much like the spot perm because only one area of your hair receives the treatment: the roots.
This is one of the most popular ways to add volume that looks natural because it appears to come directly from your scalp.
It’s also an excellent option if your perm treatment is getting old and starting to grow out. You can add the curls back to the roots to make it look like you haven’t tended to your curls in a while, but they’re natural.
The lift remains, but as your hair grows, the volume will move down the shaft. You may need a touch-up after 4–6 weeks to maintain volume at the scalp.
#5. Volumizing Perm
- Best for: Anyone who wants more lift and movement without tight curls.
- Solution note: In general, acid-balanced formulas are gentler for fine, color-treated, or fragile hair. Stronger alkaline formulas are often used for coarse or resistant hair.
As is evident from the name, a volumizing wavy perm will give your hair more volume rather than the tight curls to which you may be accustomed.
The same chemical process is used in a volumizing perm as in other perms. Hair is wrapped on large rods, and the waving solution breaks and reshapes bonds. The neutralizer is applied while the hair is still wrapped on the rods to lock in the volume. Rods are only removed after the neutralization process is complete.
This perm is suitable for individuals with both long and short hair. This perm usually lasts about six weeks, so plan regular visits to your hairstylist to keep up the look for an extended period.
#6. Multi-Textured Perm
- Best for: A more natural look with mixed curl sizes, instead of one uniform curl pattern.
- Solution note: In general, acid-balanced formulas are gentler for fine or fragile hair. Stronger alkaline formulas are often used for coarse or resistant hair.
The multi-textured perm creates tightly coiled curls that appear more natural and realistic. It achieves this by using multiple perm rod sizes to produce more curls than you would typically receive from a body or beach wave perm.
This perm is for women with medium to long hair because it produces tight curls. As a result, your hair will look textured and very bouncy. And with the proper styling and curly hair care products, this look should last several months.
If you’re looking to perm your short hair, check out these styles.
#7. Stack Perm
- Best for: One-length cuts that need movement without cutting actual layers.
- Solution note: In general, acid-balanced formulas are gentler for fine or fragile hair. Stronger alkaline formulas are often used for coarse or resistant hair.
A stack perm is an option that gives a very natural-looking look. It keeps the roots of your hair a little straighter, and the tips of your hair will be more curled. Rods are placed mainly on the mid-shaft and ends, so the roots stay straighter and the lengths get movement that looks like layers. This perm is for people who do not already have layers cut into their hair. That is because the perm will create a layered look without cutting your hair.
This perm for long hair appears to be much more natural because people with naturally curly hair do not have curls that go all the way down to the roots. On the contrary, most curls naturally begin halfway down the strands of hair.
By using an assortment of different perm rod sizes, they will look more natural. You can expect this look to last up to 5 months with regular deep conditioning treatments.
#8. Straight Perm
- Best for: Curly or wavy hair that you want to wear pin-straight for the long term.
- Solution note: This uses a strong chemical process plus heat. If your hair is bleached or very damaged, ask your stylist about safer options and insist on a strand test first.
Unlike the other perms that produce curls, the straight perm removes all-natural curls from your hair.
Hairstylists will use a strong alkaline solution to break down the bonds in the hair before adding heat, straightening it with a hot iron, and washing it. Lastly, a neutralizing chemical is applied to ensure that the hair is straight.
Your hair will appear to be much longer than it once did after the treatment is complete.
Straight perm has its roots in Japan and is different from other kinds of relaxers in the chemicals used. This process is permanent on the treated hair and will not wash out. You will need to touch up the roots every 4–6 months as your natural hair grows in.
If you are still undecided between the different types of hair perms, check in with your local hair salon. Your stylist will discuss which option is best for you based on what you want for your hair. But what if you have got a bad perm? Don’t worry; you can fix a bad perm without even cutting your hair.
No style is intrinsically better than another. It simply depends on which style best suits you. Just keep the health of your hair at the forefront of all your decisions.
Related Topics
- Different Types of Perms for Guys
- How Much Does A Perm Cost?
- Acid Perm Vs. Alkaline Perm